Benjamin Smith Email & Phone Number

Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

I’m proud to be able to successfully lead a globally distributed team of 11 Instructional Designers and UI/UX Designers in creating high-impact learning solutions, utilizing virtual team management skills and my experience with cross-cultural leadership, and working with our internal and external stakeholders.I am also responsbile for supporting an additional 35 Learning and UI/UX Designers vendors who help us scale up for our big projects.Some of the things I've done during this first year in the role are:• Restructured the quote/RFP process, removed blockers, reducing designer turnaround time by 60% • Introduced OKRs to track team and individual growth, with 3 Team OKRs and 3-5 OKRs per member• Facilitated leadership development in the design team to enhance their support of 40+ freelancers• Built competency-based framework for assessing vendors to identify our preferred project partners• Supported design of scalable learning solutions for projects sometimes requiring 20+ designers

Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

Establish the learning approach on projects for international corporate clients, including mapping of content and writing storyboards; collaborate with UI Designers to align the learning and visual design.Conduct learning needs and content analysis and apply instructional design principles and adult learning theories, in consultation with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs).Currently in a lead design role for an eLearning project for a major healthcare provider, scaling production of 31 modules, using an innovative approach to successfully customize the eLearning experience for 20,000+ nurses of varying levels of experience on using infusion pumps.Lead a variety of projects for clients in the pharmaceutical industry ranging from creating SmPC ILT decks, eLearning modules on topical creams and local anesthetics, to train the trainer series for subject experts.Represent design team in client calls, building rapport and gaining their trust in our learning solutions.Help drive the professional growth of the team by leading initiatives to support continuous improvement in knowledge management, process optimization, and cross-functional exchange.Create requests for proposal (RFP) and course samples for sales team to support acquisition of new business.Write project briefs and set vendor budgets for freelance designers to ensure healthy mark-up for the company. Support vendor liaison for related services.Work closely with the Team Lead to identify and address the needs of the team, document processes and best practices, and ensure a consistent approach to learning design.

Madrid, Community Of Madrid, Spain

Recruited, hired, trained, and managed instructors, lead meetings, provided feedback and action plans for their instructor-led lessons as well as their LMS Moodle sites. I also oversaw the curriculum and pushed for changes to the program that supported learners in achieving their objectives.I also oversaw the Go! American English for Work” scholarship program and was the primary liasison with the U.S. Embassy in Spain and Education USA. When I moved into this role the Institute was re-opening after a six month closure due to Covid-19. In a year I managed to increase the enrollment by 200%.

Madrid, Community Of Madrid, Spain

I developed and implemented English language training framework; coached and consulted members of environmental NGO to support their work related to European Union environmental policies.I identified learning gaps and utilized SMART goals to achieve learner outcomes for B2B clients.

Shanghai City, China

As a Learning and Development Manager responsible for providing managerial and training support to teaching centers that comprised over 2000 teachers across the globe, I was able to consolidate old skills and to apply newly acquired knowledge in micro-learning and E-Learning to help raise performance standards, as well as providing managerial and coaching support to center-level academic managers and trainers located in places as far away as Cape Town, Boston, and Bali.• Ensured 2000 online instructors were ready to deliver new products and services to over 60,000 learners worldwide by designing and delivering asynchronous training.• Used ADDIE Instructional Design model to reduce onboarding training time by 50% by analyzing LMS data to identify bottlenecks and implementing microlearning strategies.• Refocused writing correction services eLearning module, reducing completion time by 45%, increasing Quality Assurance results, and helping stakeholders achieve Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).• Researched impact technology and distance had on learners implementing written feedback, surveyed and interviewed online learners and instructors, then proposed assessment model, achieving buy-in.• Contributed to development of virtual classroom, requesting instructor tools, collected and delivered feedback from end users to product owner, updated training as new iterations were released.• Participated in setting and achieving team’s quarterly and annual Objective and Key Results (OKRs).

Guangzhou, Guangdong, China And Shanghai, China

Before moving into EF's eLearning division I worked for EF English Centers where I managed academic teams at three locations in Shaghai, totaling five supervisors and 45 teachers; prior to promotion from a Director of Studies role, managed 15 teachers and two supervisors in Guangzhou.Created and delivered weekly training and development workshops to instructors; conducted formal and informal observations; oversaw 150+ SMART action plans related to continuous professional development.Identified gap in blended learning curriculum and provided learning solution by creating pre-lesson worksheets by orchestrating cross-collaboration between 21 English Centers (totaling over 100 members of operation and academic teams) on production and distribution, improving learning experience of over 15,000 clients.

Honolulu, Hawaii, United States

Oversaw daily operations, worked with 3rd party vendors, and education travel agencies.Ensured academy was in compliance with Hawaiian state and U.S. federal laws and ACCET accreditation requirements.Oversaw Summer Language Travel Program, including creating and managing budget, hiring new staff, writing academic syllabus, arranging cultural and sporting activities, approving homestay placement, and working directly with agencies, collecting payments and monitoring student satisfaction

New York, New York, United States

Assisted Regional Academic Manager with testing, placement and orientation of new students, curriculum development, implementation of new classes, etc.Administered testing for students seeking to advance levels.Provided academic counseling of all new students at Chelsea campus.Taught Integrated Skills and Active Listening course.Provided Business English immersion lessons at Columbia University’s Chazin Institute, MBA program, for newly enrolled foreign students.

Bangkok City, Thailand

Provided instructor-led training and curriculum development for English Program in Western Languages Department.

Educational/Instructional Media Design

Bachelor Of Arts (B.A.), English Language And Literature, General

Diploma, Tesol

Level 7 Diploma in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages

Celta, Tesol