Learning Strategist

Partners for Rural Impact’s (PRI) ultimate goal is for an America where all kids are successful, regardless of zip code, income, background, or ability. At PRI, our focus is on ensuring that all children in rural places achieve success. Partners for Rural Impact was born out of our place-based partnership in Appalachia, where we’ve worked for 25 years to create student opportunity and success.

Position Summary

The Learning Strategist is a full-time role supporting the Rural Capacity & Implementation division in the strategy and execution of a digital community of practice, designed to strengthen collaboration, learning, and capacity-building among rural partners and stakeholders. The Learning Strategist leads the design and implementation of inclusive, high impact learning experiences that align with the team's priorities and contribute to community-level outcomes. This role manages the digital learning ecosystem—overseeing platforms, content creation, facilitation methods, and learner engagement strategies. In collaboration with internal staff and external partners, the Learning Strategist co-creates relevant learning solutions, evaluates their effectiveness using data-driven insights, and fosters continuous improvement. The role also builds internal capacity through coaching, training, and consultation on instructional best practices, ensuring the digital community of practice delivers meaningful and sustained impact. The position leads and operates with the goal that All Rural Students Succeed.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each primary duty satisfactorily. The requirements of the position are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required, with regular and predictable attendance essential. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Lead the strategic design and development of engaging, scalable learning experiences across diverse modalities, rooted in adult learning theory, user-centered design, and results-based facilitation to meet the evolving needs of a broad and diverse audience
• Design, implement, and sustain a digital community of practice platform (to foster ongoing engagement, knowledge sharing, and cross-sector collaboration among rural stakeholders—integrating platform management with broader capacity-building strategies
• Evaluate, select, and manage learning technologies and systems (e.g., LMS, eLearning tools like Articulate Storyline/Rise, Canva), ensuring alignment with division goals, usability standards, and long-term scalability
• Establish and maintain a system of best practices, tools, and resources that strengthen the learning ecosystem and promote a consistent, high-quality learner experience
• Develop and implement data-informed evaluation strategies to measure learning effectiveness, optimize content and delivery, and communicate impact to internal and external stakeholders
• Collaborate across departments and with external partners, including subject matter experts, to co-create relevant, high-impact learning solutions that align with strategic priorities
• Apply systems-level thinking to integrate learning and development into processes, performance improvement, and outcomes for rural communities
• Identify and lead strategic learning opportunities that drive innovation, build coherence across teams, and serve as levers for change within the organization and its networks
• Build internal capacity through coaching, training, and strategic consultation on instructional design, facilitation, and learning strategy best practices
• Other roles/duties will be assigned as necessary to assist and support in the attainment of our mission, All Rural Students Succeed

Position Location & Schedule

The position will be considered for remote work with local, state, and sometimes national travel required.

Normal business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET with in-office, hybrid and/or remote work a possibility. Because of the nature of the responsibility to schools, partners, funders, and to the service region, individual offices or departments may have operating hours that extend beyond this period and may include evening and/or weekend hours.

Minimum Qualifications

Education required to ensure success in this position:

• Bachelor's degree in Instructional Design, Learning Technologies, Education, or related field

Experience required to ensure success in this position:

• A minimum of five years of experience in instructional design, curriculum development, learning and development
• Experience using interactive experiential learning strategies and adult development strategies
• Demonstrated experience in developing interactive, engaging, and innovative experiential learning strategies
• Experience understanding and applying organization standards for instructional design
• Experience working collaboratively within internal and external environments
• Proven experience with training facilitation and design focused on improving performance
• Demonstrated success in a complex, fast-paced, high-performing organization, with the ability to prioritize projects, work cross-functionally and collaboratively
• Demonstrated experience and commitment to working in and with rural communities
• Proven detail-oriented project management skills with experience meeting deadlines

Special skills, knowledge and abilities:

• Experience designing and delivering impactful, learner-centered experiences grounded in adult learning theory and instructional best practices
• Proficiency in LMS platforms and eLearning authoring tools (e.g., Articulate, Adobe Suite, Canva)
• Strong skills in data analysis to evaluate learning effectiveness and inform continuous improvement
• Excellent facilitation, presentation, and communication skills across virtual and in-person settings
• Effective project management and organizational skills with the ability to balance multiple priorities
• Proven ability to collaborate with diverse teams and stakeholders, demonstrating cultural competence and cross-cultural communication
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and serving learners from diverse economic, social, and cultural backgrounds
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and related digital tools

License, certification, or registration necessary:

• Valid driver’s license
• Successfully complete pre-employment background check

Physical requirements:

• Ability to work in a high-energy office
• Ability to accurately communicate and exchange information with partners, stakeholders, and/or meeting participants
• Ability to occasionally lift up to 25 lbs
• Ability to travel independently by car and plane regionally and nationally
• Ability to operate standard office equipment
• Ability to operate motor vehicle

Environmental conditions:

• Work in a fast-paced setting with frequent interruptions and shifting priorities

Additional Company Information

PRI offers a wide array of benefit options, to meet the financial, educational, and health needs of you and your family.

• Comprehensive insurance plans including medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage.
• Flexible spending accounts, plus an employee assistance program.
• Life and long-term disability insurance and retirement plan.
• Generous paid time off work options including vacation, sick leave, and annual holidays, in addition to paid parental leave.
• Tuition assistance and professional development for employees.

Partners for Rural Impact is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits and hires qualified candidates without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, or veteran status.