Instructional Designer

About Us:

Ballard Spahr is a renowned national law firm with more than 750 lawyers across 18 offices in the United States. A career at Ballard Spahr offers a diverse group of mentors, colleagues, and friends, and strong leadership that provides support and encouragement for career growth.

We are seeking an Instructional Designer to join our innovative Learning & Development team. In this engaging role, you will focus on improving how learning is designed, delivered, and experienced across the firm specifically in the areas of instructional and curriculum design, technology training, new hire onboarding and training content. Additionally, you will be supporting the strategic design of the firm's learning management system (LMS) by providing instructional expertise, curriculum guidance and process improvement.

Why Join Us?

• Innovative Work Environment: Become part of a forward-thinking firm that enjoys substantial support and visibility from the firm's executive leadership.

• Professional Development: Take advantage of continuous learning opportunities and avenues for career growth.

• Inclusion: Join a Business Resource Group and share cultural, experiential, or job-related interests, experiences, and/or backgrounds.

• Impactful Contributions: Play a pivotal role in developing industry-leading solutions that make a significant difference in legal practice and client service.

Your Role:

As an Instructional Designer within our Learning and Development team, you will:

• Serve as a consultative partner to identify learning needs and recommend learner-centered solutions.

• Advise on live training, eLearning, job aids, and blended approaches aligned with business goals.

• Apply research-based adult learning strategies to program recommendations.

• Evaluate instructional content from internal/external sources for clarity and effectiveness.

• Guide curriculum design best practices for impactful delivery.

• Collaborate on LMS curriculum architecture and user experience design.

• Promote adoption of digital tools that enhance professional development firmwide.

• Review and improve onboarding programs across all roles.

• Enhance the efficiency of knowledge transfer using modern learning technologies.

What We're Looking For:

• Growth Mindset: Self-motivated with a passion for continuous learning and problem-solving.

• Collaboration: Work closely with cross-functional teams to share ideas, coordinate priorities, and move projects forward. Values teamwork, and contributes to a positive, collaborative environment.

• Communication: Strong verbal and written communication abilities.

• Technical Skills: Demonstrate a high degree of proficiency in the firm's computer applications and document management system, including but not limited to MS Office (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint), Adobe Acrobat, NetDocuments, and other practice/functional area databases, the Learning Management System and Intranet, and eLearning tools such as Captivate, Camtasia, and Articulate, as appropriate.

• Detail-Oriented: Keen attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines independently.

• Judgement and Problem-Solving Skills: Demonstrate good judgment, discretion, and problem-solving skills. Think strategically, giving careful attention to detail to anticipate problems. Use analytical skills to interpret the issue at hand and develop applicable or appropriate recommendations and solutions. Exercise discretion, maintain confidences, perform well under pressure, and maintain control in difficult situations.

Required Experience:

A bachelor's degree in Instructional Design or related field and a minimum of 5 years relevant work experience is required for this position. Advanced degree preferred. A strong understanding of adult learning principles and curriculum design. Experience partnering and collaborating with technology teams and a proven ability reviewing and improving instructional content created by others. Excellent communication and stakeholder-management skills along with strong process-improvement and systems-thinking skills. Willingness to travel to Ballard offices as needed. Experience working in a professional services, higher education or law firm environment is preferred. If you have a passion for empowering others through technology training and want to help shape the growth of our organization, we'd love to hear from you!

Ballard Spahr offers an excellent benefits package. A summary of available benefits can be found here in the Careers section of the firm's website.

Ready to Grow with Us?

If you are ready to play a vital role in the Firm's success, we encourage you to apply and be a part of our commitment to excellence.

At Ballard Spahr, we believe that our skills, perspectives, and backgrounds drive innovation and excellence, while our unique culture fosters collaboration and success. Our culture of thriving together forms the cornerstone of how we deliver exceptional service and position our firm for a strong future. We welcome and encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply.

Ballard Spahr is an equal opportunity employer. We offer equal consideration to all qualified applicants, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, age, national origin, handicap or disability, citizenship, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, transgender status, sex stereotyping, genetic information, ancestry, veteran status or any other category protected by applicable law.

The firm is not accepting resumes from search firms for this position.