Instructional Design AVP Job

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Position Summary

As a member of the professional staff, contributes a high level of specialized knowledge and skill in a discipline (e.g., Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology, Resort Operations, Sales & Marketing) area to support department and/or function objectives. Generally, works with considerable independence, developing operating plans and related operational processes for own department in alignment with broader business objectives. Responsible for selection, supervision, and development of staff in accordance with company policies and procedures.

Specific Job Summary

The Assistant Vice President (AVP), will be responsible for leading, coaching and managing a team of individual contributor instructional developers and managers who conduct a full spectrum of work activities including analysis, design, development, implementation and evaluation of training/learning interventions that meets the needs of audiences across all MVW regional, i.e. US, APEME, CALA and HVO. The team of developers will likely include a collaboration of both internal (associates) and external (contracted) developers.

Design, develop, and implement training deliverables including instructor-led training materials (ILT), web-based training (WBT), virtual training, eLearning deliverables, quick reference guides, job aids, and other performance support aids. Work directly with customers/participants, senior subject matter experts, and detailed policies and methods & procedures documentation to analyze business needs and translate them into training deliverables and services focused on leadership, sales and marketing topics.

As part of the above responsibilities, this position will have oversight of the M&S training design for the following business entities and their operations:

• Continuation of management and development of all MVW marketing and sales training efforts, materials, and programs.  The AVP is responsible for reviewing and editing all MVW materials and programs in accordance with current “Product Transformation” efforts, to ensure that MVW product offerings align with those from both Sheraton Vacation Club and Westin Vacation Club products.
• The creation, development and ongoing management for training materials and programs to support the following sales offerings:
  • Sheraton Flex
  • Westin Aventuras
  • Welk Resorts
  • Hyatt Residence Club.  HRC oversight includes but is not limited to, a fully compliant unique training program that is separate and distinct from that of Marriott Vacation Club.  This difference is critical to maintain compliance with the current Licensing Agreement with Marriott International and The Hyatt Hotel company.
  • Future MVW products requiring M&S training.
• Ongoing collaboration with Marketing and Sales leadership on the strategy to build and execute an MVW Marketing Training program to be on par with the MVC Sales Training program. This position will be responsible for the execution of the Marketing program upon its approval by the SVP, Global Sales Operations

The role will include making strategic decisions about utilization of infrastructure – LMSs, LCMSs, websites, HRS systems, data collection tools – to support learning interventions. The position will also be highly involved in coordinating efforts with the Vice President, Sales & Marketing Training, AVP and Directors of M&S Training, field “subject matter experts”, MVW’s Human Resources organization and key vendors.

Generic Expected Contributions

• Develops operating plans and workable business processes for own department in alignment with function strategy.
• Manages larger business processes and/or projects, setting priorities and measurable objectives, monitoring and reporting on the process, progress and results. Typically influences work of cross-functional or extended teams.
• Responds to, solves and makes decisions on business requests that have broader department impact and/or moderate risk.  Presents alternative solutions to business issues by leveraging the broader organization.
• Works to enhance the organization’s capabilities through effective staffing and development of others by:
  • anticipating staffing requirements by comparing business needs with strengths and weaknesses of existing staff.
  • using appropriate MVW interviewing tools to hire the best managers available from inside or outside.
  • setting and maintaining high standards for team and individual performance.
  • providing timely coaching and feedback.
  • making and rewarding distinctions in performance.
• Assists more senior associates in achieving business results by:
  • acting in a consultative fashion to implement programs impacting the broader organization.
  • assisting in the development and communication of broader organizational goals.
  • achieving results against budget within scope of responsibility.
  • taking calculated risks to move the department or team forward.
  • developing and using systems to organize and keep track of information.
  • balancing the interests of own group with the interests of the organization.
  • working with others to identify and remove barriers to success.
• Readily critiques own behavior to acknowledge mistakes and improve future leadership performance and acts independently to improve and increase skills and knowledge.
• Performs other duties as appropriate.

Specific Expected Contributions

T&D Design Strategy

• Liaise with the VP, Sales and Marketing Training on the T&D design strategy to ensure training deliveries and timelines meet the departments objectives.
• Understand M&S business objectives and utilize accurate and relevant data to design adaptable curriculum and development programs that meet short, medium and long-term goals.
• Identify new and/or enhanced methodologies to drive the efficient delivery of M&S training and development to meet evolving business demands.
• Continually monitor/assess market trends and M&S associate demographics, and make recommendations to M&S leadership to ensure the efficacy of training materials, eLearning and virtual training.
• Lead and participate in planning and executing communication strategies to ensure all senior stakeholders are appropriately informed of progress and outcomes.

Business Partnering

• Translate and present complex concepts to business representatives and Senior Leaders in a manner that is easy to interpret and digest.
• Collaborate with business partners to:
  • determine the most effective and efficient approaches to the implementation of learning interventions.
  • identify and develop facilitators for curricula – including instructor-led training.
• Partners with in-house Training Delivery team during analysis, design and development of any given project to help maximize the effectiveness training offerings and curricula.
• Partner with senior leaders, Sales/Marketing stakeholders, Human Resources leaders, and key Vendors to identify, prioritize, plan for ongoing training and development needs – and lead efforts to satisfy those needs
• Work along with business partners to ensure training meets the needs of the individual stakeholders and audience members.
• Develop, maintain, and leverage relationships with internal and external stakeholders, across brands, channels, and geographic regions.
• Develop strong, credible relationships with the current Instructional Development team and Training Delivery team with all existing internal partners and vendors.
• Lead the organization and utilization of Subject Matter Expert groups as required when designing and developing deliverables.
• Coach, mentor, and develop the team of Instructional Development managers and individual contributors.
• Continuously develop personal leadership skills.
• Develop a deep understanding of the Sales and Marketing organization and the roles of the associates within that organization.

Execution

• Manage individual contributor instructional developers and managers responsible for instructional design projects through setting and meeting project deadlines, setting and meeting budget goals and changing business and/or customer needs.
• Lead a full spectrum of work activities including analysis, design, development, piloting and implementation of training/learning interventions.
• Drive the collaboration with senior subject matter experts, and the review of MVW brand guidelines and M&S policies to support the analysis of business needs and translate them into training deliverables and services focused on leadership, sales and marketing topics.
• Ensure training deliverables are applicable to the specific needs of brands, channels, and a globally deployed workforce.
• Facilitate instructor-led professional development training.
• Ensure, through working with the team, training initiatives meet ROI targets.
• Create, maintain, communicate, and ensure project plans are followed.
• Identify and leverage all available resources to assist in achieving the departmental and/or organization goals and objectives.
• Ensures legal compliance / approval and proper use rights on all developed content

Candidate Profile

Successful candidates should possess knowledge and experience and demonstrate strong leadership and relationship skills as follows:

Generally, a professional position with specific knowledge and experience in a discipline (e.g., Accounting, Human Resources, Information Technology) as well as associate management experience.  College degree and/or relevant experience typically required.

Specific Candidate Profile

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Technical Communications, Education, Instructional Technology/Design, Psychology (I/O), or related discipline. Advanced degree in Instructional Technology/Design or Psychology (I/O) highly desirable.

Experience:

• Minimum of ten years’ experience in
  • professional development training environment applying instructional design principles in a cross-functional, geographically distributed, team environment.
• instructional design, development, and implementation experience using and leading others who use tools such as Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, One Note, Project, Acrobat, and SharePoint, plus Breeze, Captivate, Flash, Snag-it, SoundForge, HTML/DHTML, and/or Java Script.
• Leading a team of direct and indirect induvial contributors and / or managers versed in the skills of storyboarding and authoring web-based training lessons and/or eLearning deliverables.  Experience converting ILT to WBT, or creating blended learning, as part of this experience is highly desirable.
• Minimum of four years’ experience managing direct reports responsible for production and implementation of instructional design and/or learning deliverables.
• Experienced with utilizing LMS and/or LCMS platforms.
• Experienced with job analysis.
• Timeshare and/or sales and marketing experience highly desirable.
• Video production experience desirable.
• Project management experience highly desirable.

Skills/Attributes:

• Graphics design and development skills and/or experience managing such deliverables is desirable (Photoshop, Flash, Fireworks, Freehand, etc.).
• Highly skilled in analyzing and defining customer/participant requirements.
• Highly skilled in analyzing, designing, developing, testing, implementing, and maintaining training deliverables and services.
• Ability to work with a diverse group of associates, be open to the ideas of others, and change directions quickly if necessary for project success; highly conceptual, out-of-box thinking.
• Excellent interpersonal and highly developed and effective verbal and written communications skills.
• Ability to represent MVCI in a professional manner.
• Ability to explain complex ideas clearly and concisely in a manner appropriate to the audience.
• Conceptual thinker.
• Proven ability to gather the required information to analyze trends and surface possible solutions.
• Demonstrated ability to influence vertically and horizontally.
• Proven ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with a broad group of stakeholders in order build        trust and influence key decisions.
• Proven ability to challenge organizational norms and accepted thinking to improve effectiveness.
• Proven ability to consistently meet deadlines through effective multi-tasking and reprioritization of tasks.
• Willingness and ability to travel domestically and/or internationally, when necessary, up to 30%.
• Willingness and ability to meet aggressive schedules.

Marriott Vacations Worldwide is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive culture.