Location
This is a hybrid role with in-office work required two days per week at one of our SafetyCo locations. The role also requires travel to other SafetyCo locations across Ontario approximately twice per month.
Position Overview
At SafetyCoLabs, we're building the future of workplace learning and rethinking how businesses discover, evaluate, and buy the solutions they need. Learn more about SafetyCoLabs https://safetycolabs.ca/
We’re looking for a Lead Instructional Designer to establish the instructional vision for SafetyCoLabs and build the standards that every learning experience will follow. This is not a traditional instructional design role. Think of it as the instructional design equivalent of a Creative Director. You’ll be the strategic and creative leader responsible for defining how SafetyCoLabs designs learning, from our instructional design philosophy and learner experience standards to writing guidelines, interaction models, and quality benchmarks. You’ll create the framework that enables our team to deliver learning experiences that are engaging, effective, consistent, and distinctly SafetyCoLabs.
Working closely with our Graphic Design team, you’ll ensure visual design and instructional design come together seamlessly to create memorable learning experiences. You’ll also lead and mentor a team of instructional designers, providing direction, coaching, and feedback throughout each project. You’ll raise the bar for quality, build team capability, and ensure consistency across everything we produce.
Why This Role Exists
This role exists to establish the instructional vision and standards that define how SafetyCo Labs designs learning. You’ll create the frameworks, guidelines, and quality benchmarks that ensure every learning experience is engaging, effective, and consistent.
What Success Looks Like
By the end of your first year, you will have:
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Established SafetyCoLabs' instructional design standards, frameworks, and quality benchmarks.
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Led the development of a robust library of engaging, high-quality health and safety training programs.
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Built a high-performing instructional design team capable of delivering at scale.
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Created repeatable workflows that improve quality while accelerating course development.
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Established a consistent learner experience across every course within the LMS.
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Become the trusted instructional design leader for SafetyCoLabs.
What You'll Do
Define the Learning Vision
- Establish the instructional design philosophy for SafetyCo Labs.
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Create standards, templates, playbooks, and quality guidelines for course development.
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Define the learner experience, instructional voice, interaction patterns, and assessment strategies used across all programs.
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Ensure every learning experience aligns with adult learning principles, accessibility standards, and measurable learning outcomes.
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Continuously improve design standards by introducing innovative learning approaches, AI-enabled workflows, and emerging instructional design practices.
Lead the Instructional Design Team
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Mentor, coach, and inspire a team of instructional designers.
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Conduct design reviews and provide meaningful feedback throughout course development.
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Foster a culture of creativity, collaboration, continuous improvement, and accountability.
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Support hiring, onboarding, and professional development as the team grows.
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Build scalable processes that enable the team to produce exceptional work efficiently and consistently.
Drive Large-Scale Course Development
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Lead instructional strategy across a growing portfolio of health and safety learning programs.
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Translate business objectives and regulatory requirements into engaging learner experiences.
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Partner with project managers to prioritize work, allocate resources, and maintain delivery schedules.
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Ensure projects remain on track while maintaining exceptional instructional quality.
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Balance consistency across programs while allowing flexibility for different audiences, industries, and learning needs.
Collaborate Across Disciplines
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Partner closely with the Graphic Design team to establish the visual identity and learner experience standards for SafetyCo Labs.
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Work alongside subject matter experts to transform complex health and safety content into engaging, practical learning experiences.
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Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders to ensure learning solutions meet both learner and business needs.
Stay Hands-On
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Conduct learning needs analyses.
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Design curricula and learner journeys.
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Write learning objectives and storyboards.
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Develop instructor-led, virtual, blended, and self-paced eLearning programs.
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Create assessments, activities, and learner resources.
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Review pilot feedback and continuously improve learning experiences.
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Step into critical projects whenever additional instructional design expertise is needed.
What You Bring
Instructional Design Leadership
You can establish a clear learning vision, create standards, and provide the leadership, coaching, and mentorship needed to elevate the work of those around you.
Creative Direction & Learning Experience Design
You understand how content, visual design, interaction, and storytelling come together to create engaging learning experiences that build knowledge and improve performance.
Strategic Thinking & Hands-On Execution
You are equal parts visionary and builder, able to think strategically while staying close to the work and turning ideas into high-quality learning experiences.
Technical & Regulatory Simplification
You can take complex technical or regulatory content and transform it into clear, engaging learning experiences that go beyond compliance to create meaningful understanding and safer workplaces.
Leadership, Collaboration & Decision-Making
You bring clarity, thoughtful feedback, and high expectations to your teams while confidently navigating ambiguity, making decisions, and maintaining momentum in a fast-moving environment.
Innovation & Continuous Improvement
You challenge the status quo, experiment with new approaches, and continuously look for ways to make learning more effective, relevant, and impactful. Most importantly, you're passionate about creating learning experiences that ultimately help people stay safe.
Core Competencies
Required
- 7+ years of instructional design experience, including experience leading instructional design teams or serving as a senior instructional design lead.
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Strong experience managing multiple complex learning projects in fast-paced environments with ambitious delivery timelines.
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Experience designing diverse learning formats, including eLearning, instructor-led, virtual, and blended learning.
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Strong knowledge of adult learning theory, instructional design best practices, and Learning Experience (LX) design.
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Proficiency in curriculum development, storyboarding, assessment, and evaluation strategies.
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Experience collaborating cross-functionally with graphic designers, multimedia developers, subject matter experts, and project managers.
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Experience with LMS platforms and modern learning authoring tools.
Preferred
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Experience with instructional design methodologies such as ADDIE, SAM, Agile Learning Design, or Design Thinking.
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Knowledge of accessibility and inclusive learning design principles.
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Experience developing learning in technical, regulatory, compliance, or safety-focused environments.
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Experience establishing instructional design standards, frameworks, or quality guidelines across a learning portfolio.
Health & Wellness
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We take care of our people, because you can’t look after others if you’re not looked after too.
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Comprehensive health, dental, and vision benefits
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Access to mental health resources and wellness programs that support your well-being
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Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for confidential personal and professional support when you need it
Work-Life Balance
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We believe great work happens when people actually have time to live their lives too.
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Two weeks of vacation to start, with more as you grow with us
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Paid sick days and personal time when you need it
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No regular overtime, your evenings are yours
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A full company shutdown between Christmas and New Year’s (yes, we all take the break)
Perks & Extras
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The little things matter too.
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Employee discounts on select products and services
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Team events, social activities, and recognition moments that actually feel fun (not forced)
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The chance to do meaningful work that genuinely improves workplace safety in communities
Company Culture
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This is a place where people matter.
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A collaborative, inclusive, and supportive team environment
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Business casual dress
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A real commitment to learning, development, and helping people grow
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A workplace where ideas are welcomed, voices are heard, and contributions actually make a difference
About SafetyCo
SafetyCo is Canada’s leading integrated workplace safety partner, bringing together specialized safety companies, expert teams, and industry-leading services into one coordinated model, where we’re actively changing how workplace safety is done.
We help take the complexity out of workplace safety by making it simpler and more connected. Instead of juggling multiple providers, clients get one integrated partner for training, consulting, compliance, emergency response, occupational health, and risk management. The result is less chaos, stronger compliance, and safer workplaces that actually run better. And we do this all alongside a team of great people who genuinely enjoy what they do.
This Employment Ontario initiative is funded in part by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.
