Defining Learning Roles

Instinct's industry experts have created an A-Z Guide defining some of the most common digital Learning job roles.  

Animator / Motion Graphic Designer 

• A creative Designer who uses visual effects, moving illustrations and graphics, primarily within Adobe Creative Suite software.

Community Manager

• A liaison/representative responsible for the learning community on any given learning platform.

Digital Learning Developer

•  A creator of digital learning assets via the use of existing storyboards and authoring tools such as Articulate Storyline and graphics / multimedia tools such as the Adobe Creative Suite.

Digital Learning Manager

• A forward-thinking team-player who works to devise the digital learning strategy; liaising with senior stakeholders and providing both innovative ideas and solutions to benefit distance learning programmes.

Digital Learning Project Manager

• An organised coordinator who project manages the digital learning projects; looking after each element of the design and development stages, through to completion.

Director of Learning / Digital Learning

•  One of the most senior positions available, the Director will apply a strategic focus to the wider learning infrastructure, overseeing the digital learning offering and liaising with stakeholders to ensure the company needs are being met.

Head of Digital Learning

• A senior leader, working to devise the digital and blended  learning strategy. As the main liaison for stakeholders across the company, they will offer solutions and innovative

  ideas surrounding learning and distance learning programmes.

Head of Learning & Development

• Heading up the entire L&D department, this position takes complete ownership of all learning and development aspects within the business and acts as the first contact for internal and external senior stakeholders.

Helpdesk Support 

• Predominantly platform/IT centric; this role supports the VLE (virtual learning environment) by accepting and resolving queries. This role accepts the responsibility of escalating relevant queries to senior members.

Instructional Designer / Digital Learning Designer

• Typically operating with 3-5 years’ experience; Instructional Designers take a pedagogical approach to their digital online learning designs. This is considered ‘early stages’

  instructional and learning design.

Junior Digital Learning Designer

• A junior-level digital designer that works under instruction of the stakeholder liaison, to assist in the design and developments of digital learning project requirements.

Junior Digital Learning Developer

• A junior-level digital developer that works under instruction to assist in the development of learning assets via the use of authoring tools .

Junior Instructional Designer

• Typically operating with 1-3 years’ experience; Junior Instructional Designers take a pedagogical approach to their digital online learning designs.

Junior Learning Technologist

• Typically operating with 1-3 years’ experience; Junior LT’s provide an academic and pedagogical focus towards tasks. Along with administration support, Junior LT’s will assist in the development of online learning content.

L&D Manager (Learning & Development)

• Usually operating under the Head of L&D, the L&D Manager will work towards the enhancement of employees’ skills and knowledge.

Learning Architect(Curriculum Designer)

• A senior position, the Learning Architect is a well-rounded professional that utilises the latest learning trends and technology to make learning simple, engaging, and accessible. Often responsible for defining the entire learning programme/curriculum, end-to-end, to a high level.

Learning Consultant

• Working with the wider business, it is the objective of the Learning Consultant to enhance the overall digital learning offering – staying on top of new trends and offering advice around the latest learning developments.

Learning Programme Manager

• A technical position that oversees the end-to-end delivery of high-budget learning programmes.

Learning Technologist

• Typically operating with 3 – 5 years’ experience; LT’s will work with primarily academics and support staff to help them make the best use of the various digital technologies provided by the University to support learning and teaching. Along with administration support, LT’s will take on the development of online learning content.

LMS / LXP Administrator (Learning Management System/Learning Experience Platform)

• This role takes administrational control of learning management systems and learning experience platforms within and L&D department. They often have exceptional computer software skills and knowledge of web design technologies.

LMS / LXP Implementation Specialist 

• Working with an organisation to implement learning management systems / learning experience platforms from both a technical and business perspective.

LMS Manager

• This role owns and oversees the running production of the learning management system within an organisation and may include the management of a small team.

Senior Digital Learning Designer

• A senior creative, responsible for the development of digital learning assets via the use of existing storyboards and authoring tools, including the Adobe Creative Suite.

Senior Instructional Designer / Senior Digital Learning Designer

• With 5+ years’ experience; Senior Instructional Designers take a pedagogical approach to their digital online learning designs and are often granted managerial responsibilities.

Senior Digital Learning Consultant

• Working with the wider business, it is the objective of the Senior Learning Consultant to oversee and enhance the entire digital learning offering – staying on top of new trends and offering advice around the latest developments within learning. Responsibilities can vary greatly, depending on project scale and complexity.

Senior Learning Technologist

• With 5+ years’ experience; Senior LT’s provide an academic and pedagogical focus towards tasks. Along with administration control, senior LT’s will take on, and often oversee, the development of online learning content.

Software Developer

• Possessing a variety of technical skills; Software Developers will take on numerous projects that require back-end coding and development.

TEL Manager

• Predominantly platform/ IT centric; this role manages the VLE (virtual learning environment) by the distribution of queries via ticketing system. This role accepts the responsibility of resolving escalated queries.

VLE Administrator/TEL Officer (Virtual Learning Environment/Technology Advanced Learning)

• A fairly junior role, the VLE Administrator will provide basic administration and upkeep of the virtual learning environment. They will likely have good foundation level IT skills, including Word, Excel, Outlook and databases.

*Specific role descriptions/responsibilities vary depending on sector and organisational structure.