Associate Instructional Designer in Reading

Ciphr is delighted to offer a fabulous interim (maternity cover) opportunity for an experienced instructional designer to contribute to driving the design, quality and impact of Ciphr's eLearning offering. This is a 12-month, fixed-term contract. Working across client projects, internal product development, marketing and strategic partnerships, you combine instructional design expertise with stakeholder collaboration. As a hands-on instructional designer, you champion best practice in learning design, accessibility and engagement while developing capability across the team and strengthening Ciphr's position as a trusted learning partner.

At Ciphr our priority is ensuring that the work we do is adding value to our customers whilst also working in a way that allows the Ciphr team to feel valued in their roles. We want to give you the opportunity to embrace your role with Ciphr and, in return, we can offer you an open and friendly work environment where your input and ideas are welcomed. Flexibility is key so this role can be based anywhere within the UK if you are happy to attend ad hoc meetings. We also have an office in Reading, Berkshire that all Ciphr employees are welcome to utilise.

This role offers a flexible working pattern, collaborating with your team in our Reading office approximately once a month.

What you'll be doing

• Lead the instructional design of eLearning solutions, producing high-quality storyboards and learning outcomes documents for both bespoke client projects and internal course development.
• Translate subject matter content into engaging, accessible and pedagogically sound eLearning, determining appropriate screen types, interactivities, media elements and assessment approaches.
• Collaborate with clients at the discovery stage of the project to shape learning formats, accessibility and other project requirements and features that meet their objectives.
• Maintain and update existing eLearning content, ensuring accuracy, clarity, and alignment with evolving best practice in instructional design.

Secondary responsibilities

• Work closely with the Project Manager to scope, plan and deliver eLearning projects smoothly and to agreed timelines.

What good looks like

• Learning projects consistently delivered on time, within scope, and meeting agreed learning outcomes.
• Positive client feedback on the clarity, engagement, and accessibility of digital learning solutions.
• A library of learning content that reflects consistent instructional design standards and best practice.
• Clear evidence that learners can apply knowledge and skills gained from Ciphr eLearning courses.
• Strong collaboration with project management, marketing, and external partners resulting in joined-up delivery.

What you'll need to succeed

Essential

• Proven experience in instructional or digital learning design, with the ability to storyboard and design effective eLearning experiences from day one.
• Strong understanding of adult learning principles, accessibility standards, and learner-centred design.
• Excellent written communication skills with the ability to translate complex content into clear, engaging learning materials.
• Experience working collaboratively with stakeholders, including clients, project managers, subject matter experts and designers/animators.
• Confidence in managing priorities across multiple projects and responsibilities.

Desirable

• Familiarity with learning technologies, LMS platforms and eLearning authoring tools.
• Experience contributing to content marketing, webinars, or thought leadership in learning and development.
• Exposure to partnership working or accreditation processes (e.g. CPD).

What we offer you:

Ciphr has a benefits package which has you and your family in mind. As well as offering you the opportunity to work with a great team, be part of a growing company and have the chance to learn and enhance your knowledge and qualifications, we offer:

• 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Family National Trust Membership
• Birthday day off
• Religious holiday swap
• Family forming support - e.g., time off for family forming appointments or to support your partner
• Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
• Work from Anywhere for 4 weeks per year
• Volunteering days for 2 days per year
• Cycle to work scheme
• Pension
• Health cash plan
• Life assurance
• Technology/home improvements Loans
• Perks at Work – access to exclusive discounts, cinema tickets, etc.
• Regular training
• £1,500 employee referral scheme
• Medical Cover and Dental cover (after 6 months' service)

About Ciphr:

Ciphr is a leading UK-based provider of integrated HR, payroll, learning and recruitment solutions. Ciphr's integrated HCM platform helps organisations manage their end-to-end employee lifecycle so they can deliver an amazing employee experience. With Ciphr, organisations can be confident they can access all their people data in one place, thanks to secure, time-saving integrations between our own solutions and API connections to specialist, third-party tools.

We are all about people at Ciphr. Our values are trust, service excellence, authenticity, and accountability. We want you to bring your authentic self to work giving you the space to be yourself whether that is creative, outgoing, quiet, courageous, observant or any other attributes you may have. Ciphr welcomes all kinds of people to the team and would love you to come and join us!