Director, Learning Design

About the company

Stepful is building a new model for allied healthcare training by delivering affordable, online, instructor-led, and AI-enabled programs that help people from all backgrounds begin rewarding careers in high-demand healthcare fields.

Alongside its direct-to-consumer programs, Stepful also works with major healthcare organizations to help solve the nationwide shortage of healthcare talent. Its graduates, including Medical Assistants, Pharmacy Technicians, Nurses, and other roles, feed hiring pipelines for employers such as CVS, NY-Presbyterian, HCA, Providence, and Walgreens.

The company is supported by Y Combinator, Reach Capital, and AlleyCorp, and recently raised a $55M Series C led by Oak HC/FT. It was also recognized by TIME as the #1 EdTech company in the U.S. for 2025.

Mission and values

Stepful is focused on expanding access to quality healthcare for everyone and creating more pathways into healthcare careers for those who need them most. The team is looking for mission-oriented builders who enjoy fast-moving, uncertain environments and reflect four core values:

• Care first: prioritizing student success above all else.
• Learn quickly: testing ideas, using data, and improving rapidly.
• Build together: succeeding through collaboration and mutual support.
• Own it: taking initiative, accountability, and pride in the work.

The role

As Director of Learning Design, you will set and drive Stepful’s learning strategy across an expanding set of healthcare programs. You will be accountable for the quality and impact of the learning experience, spanning curriculum creation, instructional delivery, clinical rotation design, student outcomes, and ongoing optimization.

You will manage a team of curriculum developers, instructional designers, and subject matter experts while partnering closely with Product, Operations, Compliance, and healthcare partners. This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who can define a clear direction, build systems that scale, and use evidence to improve learner results. The position reports to the SVP, Learning and Operations.

Key responsibilities

• Set the learning vision and strategic direction for Stepful’s offerings based on student needs, company priorities, and healthcare labor market demand.
• Own the roadmap for new programs, curriculum enhancements, assessments, and learning formats.
• Lead the full lifecycle of creating and launching online and blended healthcare programs of high quality.
• Design efficient, repeatable processes for building, updating, and improving curriculum across multiple programs.
• Introduce new learning models and use AI plus emerging technologies to personalize learning, raise engagement, and strengthen skill development.
• Develop relationships with healthcare employers, academic specialists, and industry groups to stay current on workforce and learning needs.
• Work cross-functionally with Operations, Compliance, and Workforce Solutions to incorporate feedback from students and instructors into the broader learning experience.

What you need

• At least 10 years of experience in online learning, blended learning, curriculum development, academic program leadership, instructional design, or education operations.
• Background in healthcare education, education technology, or workforce development.
• Experience leading teams such as curriculum developers, instructional designers, subject matter experts, or similar learning functions.
• Strong analytical thinking and comfort using data to improve learning quality and student outcomes.
• Ability to turn complex healthcare or technical topics into clear, effective learning experiences.
• Excellent communication skills and a collaborative working style across functions.
• Comfort working in a fast-paced environment with ambiguity and change.
• Genuine motivation to help learners improve their lives through education.

Preferred background

• Clinical experience or prior work designing curriculum and learning experiences in a healthcare environment.

Interview process

• Initial conversation with a Talent Acquisition team member.
• Discussion with the hiring manager.
• Take-home assignment.
• Virtual panel interview.
• On-site panel interview.

Compensation and benefits

The target base pay for this role is $180,000 to $210,000 per year, with equity included as part of a competitive total rewards package. Actual compensation may differ based on experience, internal pay parity, and other relevant business factors.

• Meaningful equity stake.
• Subsidized medical, dental, and vision coverage options.
• 401(k).
• FSA, HSA, and commuter benefits.
• Learning stipend.
• Open vacation policy.
• Guidance of 15 PTO days per year.
• Company closure during the last week of December.
• 15 work-from-anywhere days.
• 10 public holidays observed in 2026.

Equal opportunity statement

Stepful is an equal opportunity employer and does not make hiring decisions based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, marital status, ancestry, disability, genetic information, veteran status, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, or any other legally protected status.