Instructional Designer (Contract)

Instructional Designer (Contract, Part-Time) Remote | 20–25 hrs/week | $80–$90/hr | No Travel About the Role Tend is a tech-forward dental studio group redesigning what dental care looks and feels like — for our patients and for our teams. As we grow across new markets, keeping our people well-trained isn't a nice-to-have, it's how we protect the experience that makes Tend, Tend. That's where this role comes in. We're looking for a contract Instructional Designer to turn subject-matter expertise into training our team will actually use. You'll take existing content — including SME-provided slide decks and source material — and shape it into clear, engaging, learner-centered courses that hold up in a fast-paced, multi-market healthcare environment. This is a part-time, remote, contract engagement (20–25 hours/week), ideal for an experienced freelance or contract instructional designer who wants steady, flexible work with a people-focused organization. Reports to: Chief People Officer. CST or EST time zone preferred for overlap with the team. What You'll Do Course Development Convert existing SME-provided slide decks and source materials into engaging, well-structured eLearning courses Design and develop interactive content using tools like Vyond, Articulate Rise/Storyline, Camtasia, or similar platforms Ensure consistency in tone, structure, and visual quality across course modules Instructional Strategy Apply adult learning theory and instructional design frameworks (ADDIE, STAR, Peyton's 4-Step Method) to build training that actually sticks Turn static or text-heavy content into interactive, engaging learner experiences Partnership & Collaboration Partner with content owners and subject-matter experts to translate technical or clinical information into clear, accessible learning Work independently to manage timelines and communicate progress clearly with stakeholders Who You Are Tend's values and competencies guide how we work — here's how they show up in this role. Tend to Others You keep the learner at the center of every decision — building courses that change how someone actually does their job, not just checking a training box. Be Brave Enough to Lead You give SMEs honest, constructive feedback when their content won't land as training, and you're willing to redesign a module that isn't working rather than ship it as-is. Savor the Ride You believe training doesn't have to be boring. You look for the moment to make a module more interactive, visual, or genuinely engaging to get through. Embrace Our Differences You design for different learning styles and comfort levels with technology across a diverse, multi-market team. Rooted in Growth You seek feedback on your own course drafts and iterate — you know the first version is never the final version. What Else Sets You Up to Succeed Makes Sense of the Mess You can take a raw slide deck or a scattered set of notes and turn it into a structured, sequenced course — without losing the substance. Builds the Roadmap You juggle multiple courses at different stages of development, keep timelines realistic, and flag risk before it becomes a missed deadline. Fluent in the Tools You move comfortably between authoring platforms and pick the right one for the content, not just the one you know best. What You Have Required 3+ years of experience in instructional design or a similar learning & development role Intermediate working knowledge of adult learning theory and instructional design models (ADDIE, STAR, Peyton's 4-Step Method) Hands-on experience building courses in Vyond, Articulate Rise, Articulate Storyline, Camtasia, or comparable authoring tools Strong eye for turning static or text-heavy content into interactive, engaging learner experiences Ability to work independently, manage timelines, and communicate clearly with stakeholders Nice to Have Experience in the healthcare industry Familiarity with UKG Pro Learning (LMS) Logistics Fully remote 20–25 hours/week, contract basis…