Instructional Designer

JOB SUMMARY:

The Instructional Designer is a key member of the Instructional Design team, partnering with multimedia colleagues, faculty, Program Chairs, Subject Matter Experts, and university stakeholders to design high-quality online learning experiences. This role applies instructional design principles to align learning outcomes, content, activities, and assessments, and helps develop and improve online master courses in Blackboard. The Instructional Designer collaborates throughout the course development cycle to create engaging, accessible, and academically sound learning materials that advance the University’s mission and support student success.

This is a 12-month position, working remotely in the United States, with hours corresponding to the Eastern Time zone.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Instructional Design Expertise

• Apply evidence-based instructional design principles to create engaging, rigorous, and accessible online learning experiences.
• Ensure strong alignment between learning outcomes, instructional materials, activities, and assessments.
• Apply quality assurance frameworks and institutional rubrics to refine instructional content and course structure.
• Collaborate with faculty and SMEs to elevate content clarity, rigor, accessibility, and engagement.

Learning Experience and Course Development

• Develop high-quality course content and assessments appropriate for adult online learners.
• Build, organize, and format learning materials within Blackboard Ultra, ensuring consistency, usability, and accessibility standards are maintained.
• Incorporate accessibility requirements (ADA/Section 508) in all course materials and identify opportunities for improvement.

Project & Workflow Management

• Manage multiple concurrent course development projects, using project management processes to ensure timely completion.
• Communicate effectively with stakeholders to establish expectations, track progress, resolve challenges, and meet deadlines.
• Maintain accurate documentation, transparent communication, and workflow organization within the team’s project management system (e.g., Samepage).
• Participate fully in meetings, providing updates, and contributing to collaborative decision-making.

Technology & Digital Literacy

• Demonstrate proficiency with Blackboard Ultra and related instructional technologies, maintaining knowledge of system updates and new features.
• Participate in testing and evaluation of new LMS tools to assess instructional impact and usability.
• Recommend technology solutions that enhance learning and support faculty and student success.

Professional Growth & Continuous Improvement

• Stay current with emerging research, trends, and best practices in instructional design, learning theory, accessibility, and online education.
• Reflect on practice, seek feedback, and engage in ongoing skill development.
• Contribute to departmental process improvement, innovation initiatives, and collaborative problem-solving.

Teamwork & Collaboration

• Foster a supportive, communicative, and collaborative team environment.
• Work transparently and respectfully with faculty, SMEs, Program Chairs, and academic leadership to support institutional and program goals.
• Uphold departmental communication standards, including deadline reminders, documentation accuracy, and stakeholder accountability.
• Model professionalism, flexibility, and problem-solving in all interactions.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

Other duties as assigned by the Director of Instructional Design.

QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements below represent the knowledge, skills, and abilities required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in education, Instructional Design, or related field.
• Two or more years of experience in online instructional design or developing online learning experiences.
• Ability to apply learning theory, adult learning principles, and instructional design best practices in course development.
• Knowledge of accessibility requirements (ADA/Section 508) and the ability to design accessible learning materials.
• Understanding copyright, fair use, and intellectual property considerations in a higher education or for-profit academic environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office/Office 365, Blackboard Ultra LMS, and common communication and video conferencing tools.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and collaboration skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a remote environment.
• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and take initiative.
• Demonstrated creativity and innovative thinking in instructional design.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in education, Instructional Design, Learning Sciences, or related fields.
• College or university teaching experience, preferably online modalities.
• Experience supporting faculty in instructional design, online pedagogy, or LMS use.
• Familiarity with quality assurance frameworks (e.g., Quality Matters, OLC, institutional rubrics).
• Experience designing learning experiences for adult or nontraditional learners.
• Experience designing AI-proof assignments and discussions and integrating AI into content development.