The Instructional Designer is responsible for creating, maintaining, and continuously improving the training, reference, and performance support materials for restaurant Team Members and Managers. This role is responsible for the design and development of engaging, inclusive, and effective learning experiences across multiple formats—including eLearning, video, photography, and other multimedia assets. Instructional Designers collaborate with subject matter experts, instructional designers, and creative teams to deliver impactful training solutions that align with Panera’s business goals and values. The Instructional Designer reports to the Sr. Manager, Learning & Development.
Duties & Responsibilities- Design, develop, and maintain various curricula, including global role-based, experience, standards, and technology curricula. Specific types of activities include:
- Executing the training design and field-ready process to ensure training (content, delivery, and measurements) is on-point, relevant to the learner, accurate, and accessible
- Designing training and performance support tools for delivery across multiple channels of the business (company, franchise, license, and multi-branded restaurants)
- Write and edit, storyboards, scripts, trainers’ notes, and other learning documentation
- Providing recommendations for continuous improvement based on evaluation data, field feedback, personal observation in local restaurants, and external best practices
- Partnering with field and restaurant support center cross-functional colleagues throughout the design, field-ready process, launch, and evaluation of training initiatives
- Providing instructional design and performance improvement guidance for cross-functional initiatives and other projects as assigned
- Collaborating with other team members to facilitate material management end-to-end, including creative design, desktop publishing, outside vendor support, translation, and material inventory set-up, distribution, and management
- Effectively and successfully managing multiple projects at one time, while achieving project goals and meeting deadlines
- Strategic thinking and planning
- Instructional design and content creation
- eLearning development
- Multimedia production and editing
- Project management and prioritization
- Collaboration and relationship-building
- Written and verbal communication
- Data analysis and learning evaluation
- Technological fluency with media tools and LMS platforms
- Bachelor’s and at least 5 years of experience, Master’s and at least 3 years of experience, or Doctorate and no years of experience.
- 5+ years of instructional design experience leveraging multiple delivery approaches, including the use of technology-driven platforms for training delivery, evaluation, and administration
- Demonstrates effective interpersonal, influence, collaboration, and listening skills and drives for results individually and in a team setting
- Highly motivated and eager to make a difference in the learning process
- Proven ability to produce quality results using rapid development methods and tools
- Proven ability to project-manage curricula development and implementation
- Very creative and looking for an opportunity to apply this creativity in the form of interactions, media inclusion and motivation strategies to produce unique and successful learning programs
- Experience working with Rapid Authoring tools including Storyline 360, Rise 360, Vyond, Camtasia, PowerPoint, In-Design and Word
- Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and transport media equipment
This is a hybrid role is based in the Newton, MA Support Center. Occasional overnight travel is required.
Competitive Pay $92,055 to $104,933 annually
The actual pay offered will be determined by multiple factors, including but not limited to the candidate’s relevant experience, job-related knowledge, skills, and geographical location. Individual compensation decisions are dependent upon the facts and circumstances of each position and candidate.
Newton Support CenterSkills Required
- Bachelor's degree and at least 5 years' experience (or Master's +3 years, Doctorate +0)
- 5+ years of instructional design experience using multiple delivery approaches and technology-driven platforms
- Experience with rapid authoring tools: Storyline 360, Rise 360, Vyond, Camtasia, PowerPoint, InDesign, Word
- Experience with LMS platforms and media tools for training delivery, evaluation, and administration
- Proven ability to project-manage curricula development and implementation
- Strong written and verbal communication, collaboration, strategic thinking, and influence skills
- Demonstrated ability to produce results using rapid development methods and multimedia production/editing
- Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and transport media equipment
- Occasional overnight travel availability
What We Do
Panera began in 1987 as St. Louis Bread Company, a humble community bakery founded with a sourdough starter from San Francisco and a dream of putting a loaf of bread in every arm. While our business has expanded well beyond St. Louis since then, that same sourdough starter is still used in our iconic sourdough bread and the craft of baking bread fresh each day remains at the heart of Panera Bread. Each day, our trained bakers fill our bakery shelves with delicious freshly baked cookies, pastries, bagels, and a range of breads from focaccia to classic baguettes. We believe in serving delicious, freshly prepared, clean food made with carefully selected ingredients that we are proud to serve our own families. Our menu, crafted by chefs and bakers, features classic, comforting dishes, each with an intriguing twist. We respect our planet and take measures to lessen our impacts. We believe in treating people with warmth, kindness, and respect, whether it’s a guest in our cafe or one of our associates. And we believe in helping our local communities, especially in times of need. We’re also focused on improving quality and convenience. With investments in technology and operations, we offer omni-channel access to your Panera favorites – like mobile ordering, catering, and Rapid Pick-Up® for to-go orders, Curbside pick-up and delivery – all designed to make things easier for our guests. Today, Panera operates as both Panera Bread® or Saint Louis Bread Co St. Louis Bread Company in 48 states, the District of Columbia and Canada. Panera Bread is privately held by JAB Holding Company. Panera Bread is part of Panera Brands, one of the largest fast-casual restaurant platforms in the U.S., comprised of Panera Bread®, Caribou Coffee® and Einstein Bros.® Bagels.








