Program Manager - Instructional Designer, Merchandising Learning and Change
Amazon · Austin, TX
- On site
- Full-time
- $97,000 / year
- Austin, TX
Job highlights
- Manage L&D programs end-to-end for merchandising.
- Design and deliver engaging, learner-centered training.
- Facilitate sessions, workshops, and coaching.
- Champion AI tools for learning acceleration.
- Blend creative design with operational coordination.
About the role
About the Role
Amazon is seeking a Program Manager - Instructional Designer for its Merchandising Learning and Change team. This role is responsible for the design, implementation, administration, and delivery of training programs, practices, tool adoption, and procedures for the merchandising organization. You will provide ongoing consultation on Learning & Development research, learning theory, technologies, and motivation theory. Additionally, you will offer side-by-side, in-person coaching for tool adoption and instructional design. You will engage with cross-functional L&D teams, Merchandising Enablement program owners, and other internal stakeholders to understand, support, and advise on specific training needs. This position may involve developing, delivering, and coaching training programs, and potentially facilitating design and delivery by external experts and consultants.
Key job responsibilities
- Own end-to-end L&D program management across merchandising—from needs analysis through delivery, measurement, and iteration. Define requirements, KPIs, milestones, and roadmaps; drive cross-functional teams to meet timelines. Manage large-scale projects with multiple workstreams, proactively identifying risks and clearing blockers.
- Design and deliver engaging, learner-centered training applying adult learning theory and evidence-based instructional design. Facilitate instructor-led sessions (virtual/in-person), workshops, and coaching that drive behavioral change. Execute tool adoption strategies including side-by-side coaching, hyper-care support, and super-user networks.
- Champion AI-powered tools to accelerate learning development. Experiment with AI solutions to personalize learning paths, automate design tasks, and generate data-driven insights. Develop AI literacy and prompt engineering best practices within the team.
A day in the life
Your day might start by facilitating a training for the merchandising organization, followed by building an interactive module in Articulate or editing a video walkthrough for a new tool feature. In between meetings, you could be uploading courses and analyzing metrics in Amazon Learn, authoring launch communications, reviewing a teammate's curriculum, writing a learning plan proposal, organizing training materials, or booking locations for in-person events. Every day blends creative design, hands-on facilitation, and operational coordination.
About The Team
This team combines learning & development and change management functions to support the merchandising and merchandising support organizations through on-the-job learning, strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, tool adoption, and change management strategies.
Basic Qualifications
- 4+ years of program or project management experience
- 4+ years of defining and implementing process improvement initiatives using data and metrics experience
- Experience working cross functionally with tech and non-tech teams
- Experience using data and metrics to determine and drive improvements
- Bachelor's degree
- Experience designing and developing training materials in all modalities including ILT, e-learning and video
- Experience in facilitating, or experience focused on Adult Learning Theory, including 1) virtual training facilitation and dealing with remote teams, and 2) delivering Soft Skills, Technology Skills and/or Technical or other Systems training
- 4+ years in L&D program management experience
Preferred Qualifications
- 4+ years of driving end to end delivery, and communicating results to senior leadership experience
- Experience in stakeholder management, dealing with multiple stakeholders at varied levels of the organization
- 4+ years of driving process improvements experience
- Experience building processes, project management, and schedules
- Experience with Learning Management Systems (LMS)
- Retail/merchandising background
- Instructional design certification
- Proficiency in rapid authoring tools
Equal Opportunity Employer
Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status. Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.
Compensation & Benefits
The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits.
Key skills/competency
- Instructional Design
- Program Management
- Learning & Development
- Change Management
- Adult Learning Theory
- Project Management
- Stakeholder Management
- Data Analysis
- AI Tools
- Facilitation
Skills & topics
- Program Manager
- Instructional Designer
- Learning and Development
- Merchandising
- Training Design
- Adult Learning Theory
- Change Management
- Project Management
- AI in Learning
- Facilitation
- Amazon
- Austin
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight your 4+ years in L&D program management, instructional design, and process improvement using data.
- Showcase cross-functional experience: Emphasize your work with tech and non-tech teams, and stakeholder management.
- Quantify achievements: Use metrics to demonstrate your impact on defining and implementing improvements.
- Prepare for interviews: Be ready to discuss your experience with adult learning theory, virtual facilitation, and AI tools.
Technical preparation
Behavioral questions
Frequently asked questions
- What are the key responsibilities for an Instructional Designer at Amazon?
- As an Instructional Designer at Amazon, you'll manage end-to-end L&D programs for the merchandising organization, design and deliver engaging training using adult learning theory, facilitate sessions, and champion AI tools to accelerate learning development.
- What qualifications are essential for this Program Manager - Instructional Designer role at Amazon?
- Essential qualifications include 4+ years of program management, L&D program management, and experience defining/implementing process improvements. A Bachelor's degree and experience designing/developing training materials in various modalities are also required.
- Does this role involve remote work or require on-site presence at Amazon?
- The job description mentions facilitating virtual and in-person sessions, and side-by-side coaching, suggesting a hybrid or on-site arrangement, depending on team and project needs. The provided location is Austin, TX.
- How does Amazon incorporate AI into its learning and development programs?
- Amazon actively champions AI-powered tools to accelerate learning development. This includes experimenting with AI solutions for personalized learning paths, automating design tasks, and generating data-driven insights, as well as developing AI literacy and prompt engineering best practices.
- What kind of projects can I expect to work on as a Program Manager - Instructional Designer at Amazon?
- You can expect to manage large-scale projects with multiple workstreams, from needs analysis through delivery and measurement. This includes defining roadmaps, managing timelines, identifying risks, and driving cross-functional teams to achieve project goals.
- What is the salary range for this Program Manager - Instructional Designer position at Amazon in Austin, TX?
- The base salary range for this position in Austin, TX is $74,200.00 - $129,800.00 USD annually. The final compensation will depend on factors like experience, qualifications, and location, and may include sign-on bonuses and RSUs.
- How can I best prepare my resume for an Amazon Program Manager - Instructional Designer application?
- Your resume should prominently feature your 4+ years of experience in L&D program management, instructional design, and process improvement. Quantify your achievements using data and metrics, and highlight your experience working cross-functionally with both technical and non-technical teams.