Travel: Approximately 25% travel. Team members are expected to work from their nearest Cox office 1-2 days per month.
About the Role
The Senior Manager, Instructional Design leads a team of instructional design professionals responsible for developing innovative learning strategies and solutions that enable business performance across Cox Automotive. This leader partners closely with business stakeholders to identify capability gaps, prioritize learning investments, and deliver scalable learning experiences that support operational excellence, customer experience, and business transformation.
The ideal candidate is a strategic people leader with deep expertise in instructional design, consulting, stakeholder management, and curriculum development. They are passionate about developing talent, driving continuous improvement, and leveraging emerging learning technologies, including AI-enabled solutions, to improve learner outcomes and business results.
Responsibilities
- Lead, coach, and develop a team of instructional design professionals, fostering engagement, accountability, and career growth.
- Partner with business leaders to assess learning needs and align learning strategies to organizational goals and priorities.
- Drive the design, development, implementation, and evaluation of instructor-led, virtual, digital, and blended learning solutions.
- Oversee learning portfolios, project prioritization, resource allocation, and delivery execution across multiple business initiatives.
- Serve as a trusted consultant to stakeholders, recommending learning and performance solutions that address business challenges.
- Champion innovation and continuous improvement, leveraging learning technologies and AI-enabled development practices to enhance effectiveness and efficiency.
- Establish and monitor success metrics to evaluate program effectiveness and business impact.
- Ensure learning solutions meet quality standards, support operational objectives, and deliver measurable results.
- Build a high-performing team culture focused on collaboration, customer service, creativity, and continuous learning.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in a related field and 8 years of experience in Learning & Development, Instructional Design, Curriculum Development, or a related discipline. The right candidate could also have a different combination, such as a master's degree and 6 years of experience; a Ph.D. and 3 years of experience; or 12 years of related experience.
- 3+ years of people leadership experience.
- Experience leading complex learning initiatives across multiple stakeholder groups.
- Strong consulting, coaching, communication, project management, and relationship-building skills.
- Experience managing competing priorities and influencing decision-making across all levels of the organization.
Preferred
- Master's degree in a related field.
- Experience supporting operational, technical, field, or customer-facing organizations.
- Experience leading instructional design teams within a large, matrixed organization.
- Experience with learning technologies, vendor management, and AI-enabled learning development practices.
- PMP, Agile, Lean Six Sigma, ATD, or other relevant professional certifications.
USD 111,500.00 - 185,900.00 per year
Compensation:
Compensation includes a base salary in the range of $111,500.00 - $185,900.00. The base salary may vary within the anticipated base pay range based on factors such as the ultimate location of the position and the selected candidate's knowledge, skills, and abilities. Position may be eligible for additional compensation that may include an incentive program.
Benefits:
The Company offers eligible employees the flexibility to take as much vacation with pay as they deem consistent with their duties, the company's needs, and its obligations; seven paid holidays throughout the calendar year; and up to 160 hours of paid wellness annually for their own wellness or that of family members. Employees are also eligible for additional paid time off in the form of bereavement leave, time off to vote, jury duty leave, volunteer time off, military leave, and parental leave.
Applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States for any employer without current or future sponsorship.
Application Deadline: 09/20/2026
EOE, including disability/vets
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in a related field and 8 years of experience in Learning & Development, Instructional Design, Curriculum Development, or a related discipline; equivalent combinations include a master's degree with 6 years, a Ph.D. with 3 years, or 12 years of related experience.
- At least 3 years of people leadership experience.
- Experience leading complex learning initiatives across multiple stakeholder groups.
- Strong consulting, coaching, communication, project management, and relationship-building skills.
- Experience managing competing priorities and influencing decision-making across all organizational levels.
- Master's degree in a related field.
- Experience supporting operational, technical, field, or customer-facing organizations.
- Experience leading instructional design teams within a large, matrixed organization.
- Experience with learning technologies, vendor management, and AI-enabled learning development practices.
- PMP, Agile, Lean Six Sigma, ATD, or other relevant professional certifications.
- Currently authorized to work in the United States for any employer without current or future sponsorship.
Cox Enterprises Compensation & Benefits Highlights
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Healthcare Strength — Medical coverage is presented as robust, with multiple plan options, in‑network preventive care covered in full, and added programs for telehealth, mental health, and chronic conditions. Materials also highlight ongoing enhancements and vendor partnerships that broaden access and support.
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Parental & Family Support — Family-building benefits are emphasized, including paid parental leave, fertility support via specialized partners, adoption assistance, lactation resources, and childcare discounts. Feedback suggests these offerings help employees navigate key life stages with practical support.
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Retirement Support — Retirement programs feature a company‑matched 401(k) alongside financial coaching tools and student‑debt assistance. Feedback suggests the retirement match and savings resources are viewed as meaningful components of total compensation.
Cox Enterprises Insights
What We Do
Cox Enterprises is a family-owned enterprise spanning 125+ years of innovation. Through our diverse network of businesses, our people are shaping the future with bold thinking, cutting-edge technology and an unwavering commitment to doing what’s right. Across a range of industries — including automotive, agriculture, cleantech, journalism and more — we’re building a better future for this generation and the next. Make your mark at Cox!
Why Work With Us
Founded in 1898, Cox Enterprises is a community of kind, grounded individuals who work together to drive positive change across vital industries. At Cox, employees experience meaningful work, great benefits, work-life balance and a supportive team environment, plus ample opportunities for career growth across our family of businesses.
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