Learning Solutions Architect

Microsoft’s Engineering Excellence (EE) is a performance improvement organization that focuses on software and services engineering workforce. EE’s organizational mission is to discover, create, propagate, and deliver solutions that improve and revitalize engineering teams, increasing innovation, quality, and customer value. To accomplish this mission, EE develops and provides learning and development solutions, community resources, collaboration tools, processes, best practices, analytics, and consulting services to the Microsoft engineering teams. EE is seeking a highly motivated person to fill in the role of an L&D Specialist who would act as an architect of EE’s learning solutions. This person will be responsible for designing a holistic architecture of learning and development solutions, which will serve as a success factor in quality learning experiences of Microsoft engineers and their managers, globally. The architecture has to be agile and innovative to provide foundation for a complex set of solutions, relevant and contextual to diverse engineering roles. It has to be rooted in effective theories of human performance improvement and deep appreciation of technology. Additionally, the work will be done in a strong collaboration with the engineering leaders and top engineering SMEs. The primary responsibilities for this role are:·  Lead wide-scale capability assessment of engineering workforce developmental needs·  Create architectural design principles for the suite of EE learning solutions·  Rationalize and provide guidance to cross-discipline content alignment·  Manage priorities and engage with EE stakeholders in the development and continuous improvement·  Lead annual solutions planning process for EE’s Engineering Learning and Development (EL&D) function·  Review and approve quality gates of various design projects·  Provide thought leadership, coach and mentor internal EE EL&D teams to raise quality of solutions·  Create and maintain learning roadmaps in support of engineering roles across the profession and discipline·  Monitor evaluation results and use findings to continuously improve learning solution architecture·  Work with the rest of the Learning and Organizational Effectiveness (LOE) team on continuous improvement of EE’s learning strategy·  Keep abreast of and actively promote, as needed, current and emerging developments and trends in the learning profession and Microsoft engineering practices Requirements: To be successful in this role, an individual would have to possess the following capabilities:·  Demonstrated ability to design and implement complex end-to-end solutions, experience with broad-scope needs analysis and course development using instructor-facilitated and eLearning mediums, preferably in high tech corporate setting.·  Demonstrated high proficiency in analytical problem solving and systems thinking·  Expert level of knowledge and experience with instructional design principles and practices including adult learning theories, human performance technology (HPT), interactive learning design, e-learning design principles, distance learning, instructor-led training, self-paced and blended learning, community of practice·  Demonstrated business results through design, implementation and evaluation of learning or technology solutions·  Superb written and oral communication and presentation skills; a communication style that exhibits expertise, confidence, and customer sensitivity at the same time·  Demonstrated ability and strong competencies in cross-group collaboration, specifically with subject matter experts and vendors, impact and influence, customer advocacy, and interpersonal awareness·  Demonstrated ability in being resourceful, confident under pressure, able to function independently, and handle ambiguity·  Demonstrated excellence in influencing, teamwork, project management, and negotiation·  Demonstrated knowledge about current trends and best practices in learning·  Preferred is an advanced degree in design, education, writing, psychology or related field or equivalent experience. Basic qualifications include:·  5+ years of experience in learning and development, preferably for high-tech companies·  Preferred candidate will have an advanced degree in instructional design, education, writing, psychology or related fields Microsoft offers an excellent benefits package to full-time employees including medical, dental, vacation, employee stock purchase plan, and 401k, plus some great extras including: our 24-hour nurse line, stay fit program, product discounts, and paid infant care leave. All part of our commitment to our most important asset: our employees. For more information about life at Microsoft, please visit our careers website. Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) and strongly supports diversity in the workforce. ;