Principal Learning Architect

Xcel Energy•Minneapolis, MN

About The Position

As a Principal Learning Architect, you will operate as an enterprise consultant and strategic business partner, working directly with business and operational leaders to diagnose performance and capability challenges by guiding the direction of learning initiatives that measurably advance business outcomes. This role is accountable for translating complex business priorities into integrated learning strategies, not directly designing courses or developing instructional assets. Success requires strong consulting judgment, executive presence, and the ability to influence decisions across organizational, functional, and vendor boundaries. The Principal Learning Architect provides strategic consultation on performance challenges, aligns learning investments to transformation priorities, and governs how solutions are scaled and sustained across the enterprise. You will assess root causes, recommend learning and non-learning interventions, and ensure execution delivers measurable impact.

Requirements

10+ years of progressive experience in learning and development, instructional design, or organizational development.
Bachelor’s degree in Education, Organizational Psychology, Instructional Design, or related field (Master’s preferred).
Training or certification in learning & development, project management, or product ownership, such as CPTM, CPTD, PMP, Prince2, CSPO, or PSPO.
Proven experience leading enterprise learning strategies and programs across the full learning lifecycle.
Experience in HR, business operations, or program management is preferred to ensure holistic integration of learning strategies.
Strong facilitation, consulting, and stakeholder engagement skills.
Demonstrated ability to influence senior leaders and drive cross-functional collaboration.
Experience with learning evaluation models (e.g., Kirkpatrick, Phillips ROI) and data-informed decision-making.
Familiarity with learning technologies and platforms is a plus.

Nice To Haves

Experience in learning consultation and solutioning within regulated, safety-critical, or asset-intensive environments (e.g., energy, utilities, manufacturing, engineering, operations).
Demonstrated experience leading business and enterprise performance consulting engagements, including diagnosing business problems beyond training and recommending non-learning and learning interventions.
Experience leading vendor strategy, setting solution direction, and holding external partners accountable for outcomes.

Responsibilities

Learning Strategy & Alignment: Partner with senior leaders to define and evolve enterprise learning strategies that support workforce capability, business transformation, and cultural priorities.
Needs Assessment & Performance Consulting: Lead enterprise-wide needs assessments and performance analyses to identify skill gaps and learning opportunities. Translate findings into actionable learning strategies and roadmaps.
Measurement & Evaluation: Define success metrics and evaluation strategies to assess learning effectiveness and business impact. Use data to inform continuous improvement and strategic decision-making.
Governance & Standards: Establish and maintain enterprise learning standards, frameworks, and governance models to ensure consistency, quality, and compliance across all learning initiatives.
Project Management: Lead cross-functional learning initiatives using structured project management methodologies. Oversee timelines, deliverables, and resource coordination to ensure successful execution.
Internal Consultation: Act as a strategic advisor to internal stakeholders, translating business needs into effective learning solutions and managing expectations throughout the project lifecycle.
Vendor & Consultant Collaboration: Serve as the primary point of contact for external learning vendors and consulting partners. Ensure alignment of outsourced solutions with internal learning strategies and standards.