Instructional Designer Talent Management
Resume:
Sam Thomas, MEd
*************@*****.*** 704-***-**** linkedin.com/in/samthomasmed/
Learning & Development Leader
Advance Leadership Effectiveness & Organizational Growth Via Innovative Program Design
Visionary strategist with wealth of experience designing and implementing best-in-class leadership and executive development initiatives for Fortune 500 and high-growth companies.
Leverage data-driven insights, industry-leading assessment tools, and executive coaching methodologies to identify and address leadership gaps and accelerate executive growth. Influence and champion large-scale change initiatives within complex, matrixed organizations to enhance executive capabilities and succession planning.
Areas of expertise include:
Executive Coaching
Leadership Development
Talent Management
Change Management
Program Design
Data Analysis
Assessment Tools
Stakeholder Alignment
Learning Technologies (VR / AR)
Instructional Design
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, Santa Monica, CA
Director, Learning & Development 2022 – Present
Constructed learning and development strategies and programs for 5K+ leaders across global gaming divisions.
Achieved full-point increase in manager effectiveness score in annual employee engagement survey and 94% satisfaction leadership effectiveness scores in annual engagement survey by redefining senior leader development strategy, introducing innovative programs, and impacting sustainment.
Established robust governance model, fostering strong executive sponsorship and alignment of development initiatives with company strategy and culture evolution.
Partnered with CHRO and Talent Management leadership, presenting executive development roadmap, investments, and Leadership Capability Framework, measuring growth across company.
Leveraged Hogan and 360 Assessments in crafting Executive Leadership Cohorts, using scores to create proprietary and specialized leadership courses for audience.
Hired and vetted multiple vendor partners, designing specialized learning materials for each audience.
WESTERN DIGITAL, Los Angeles, CA
Learning Experience Designer & Producer 2021 – 2022
Pioneered innovative learning strategies for 20K+ employees across global workforce that spanned engineering, sales, and operations.
Spearheaded enterprise-wide talent programs, leveraging cutting-edge technologies (VR/AR simulations), enhancing leadership capabilities 18% based on pre / post-assessments.
Increased learner engagement 35% by curating industry-leading content and realistic case studies.
Orchestrated learning strategies, revolutionizing Performance Management and boosting employee engagement 18%.
GP STRATEGIES, Charlotte, NC
Senior Instructional Designer 2020 – 2021
Designed innovative learning solutions for Fortune 500 clients across financial services, technology, and manufacturing industries.
Developed comprehensive merger training program for Truist Bank executives (20 modules, 15K learners), managing SMEs and stakeholders.
Collaborated with Microsoft, creating highly rated MOOC for Sales Experience Managers (4.7 / 5 from 2.5K learners).
T-MOBILE, Bellevue, WA
Senior Instructional Designer, HR, Career Development 2017 – 2019
Created learning solutions for 50K+ employees to enhance management capabilities and foster inclusive culture.
Designed award-winning Manager Curriculum, integrating mobile learning and DEI.
Crafted Diversity and Inclusion training, winning Brandon Hall Gold and Bronze Excellence Awards and increasing employee engagement 12%.
AMAZON.COM, Seattle, WA
Logistics, Lead Instructional Designer / Program Manager 2014 – 2016
Championed training initiatives across North American logistics network of 175 delivery stations.
Orchestrated Prime Now 2-hour delivery training for all drivers with <1 month lead time.
Revamped delivery service provider onboarding, reducing time to proficiency from 4 days to 1 day – 75% improvement.
Led cross-functional team of 15 in launching 40+ new delivery stations across US, training 5K+ learners.
ADDITIONAL RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
SPECTRUM (formerly TIME WARNER CABLE), Charlotte, NC
Senior Instructional Designer
US COAST GUARD / LOCKHEED MARTIN, Charleston, SC
Advanced Distributed Learning Specialist
HANDSHAW (TIAA, KEYBANK, LOWE’S, EPRI, and BANK OF AMERICA), Charlotte, NC
Instructional Designer / Developer
EDUCATION
Master of Education (MEd), Instructional Systems Technology, cum laude,
University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC
Bachelor of Arts (BA), Communication Studies – Mass Media and Rhetoric,
University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
International Society for Performance Improvement Conference (ISPI)
The Myths and Misconceptions of Millennials, 2012
The Care and Feeding of SMEs, 2015
The ISPI Case Study Competition, 2011
Leadership Lessons from the Dungeon: Using D&D DM Skills in the Corporate World, 2023
ExLearn
Leadership Lessons from the Dungeon: Using D&D DM Skills in the Corporate World, 2023
Quest for Excellence: Unleashing Team Potential, 2024
Training Industry Conference & Expo (TICE)
Quest for Excellence: Unleashing Team Potential, 2024
The Learning Leaders Conference
Quest for Excellence: Unleashing Team Potential, 2024
CERTIFICATION & LEADERSHIP
Certified MindGym Coach
Ambassador, Women in Gaming
President, Charlotte Chapter, International Society of Performance Improvement
International Speaker on Topics of Leadership Development, Team Excellence, and AI
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