Instructional Designer

Virginia Commonwealth University•Richmond, VA

22d•$70,000 - $75,000•Hybrid

About The Position

VCU Continuing and Professional Education (VCU CPE) is seeking an experienced Instructional Designer to support the growth of its noncredit portfolio, academic and external partnerships, and workforce-focused initiatives. This new role will leverage expertise in instructional and learning experience design to translate faculty expertise, academic content, and employer/workforce needs into high-quality, skills-based learning experiences for adult and professional learners. The position offers the opportunity to shape CPE's instructional design approach while collaborating with faculty, subject matter experts, CPE colleagues, and university-wide instructional design professionals. The ideal candidate will have experience designing learning for professional, business, industry, or adult audiences, translating complex content into practical, skills-based experiences. This role requires an agile problem-solver capable of managing multiple projects with competing deadlines while maintaining high quality. The Instructional Designer will design and build a portfolio of credit and noncredit offerings, collaborating with partners to develop workforce and industry-aligned learning experiences.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in instructional design, education, learning technologies, curriculum and instruction, adult learning, communications, business, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
Minimum three (3) years of professional experience designing, developing, and implementing online, hybrid, and/or technology-enhanced learning experiences
Demonstrated experience with learning management systems (LMS), educational technologies, and emerging technologies that support teaching and learning
Demonstrated knowledge of instructional design principles, adult learning theory, learning outcomes, assessment design, and evidence-based practices for adult and professional learners
Demonstrated experience developing learner-centered instructional materials, activities, assessments, and digital learning resources of varying length and complexity
Demonstrated experience collaborating with faculty, subject matter experts, clients, or other stakeholders to design and develop effective learning experiences
Demonstrated ability to translate complex academic, technical, or professional content into clear, accessible, applied learning experiences
Demonstrated experience managing multiple instructional design or course development projects, including timelines, documentation, stakeholder feedback, deliverables, and competing priorities.
Experience applying digital accessibility standards and best practices, including WCAG, Section 508 principles, Universal Design for Learning, and inclusive design, to instructional materials, multimedia, assessments, and course design.
Strong interpersonal and relationship building skills
Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing
Skill with MS Office and Google Workspace and the aptitude to learn new technology platforms
Skill in analytical and critical thinking, project management, problem recognition and resolution skills
Ability to anticipate issues, identify risks, and solve problems proactively
Ability to exhibit creativity, self-direction and the capacity for independent work, multi-tasking and organization skills
Ability to commit to the highest ethical standards
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with faculty, staff, administrators, clients and other personnel
Ability to commit to quality, integrity, responsiveness and customer service
Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree in a discipline such as Instructional Design, Learning Technologies, Curriculum and Instruction, Adult Learning, or a related field
Five (5) or more years of experience designing learning experiences for adult, professional, workforce, or nontraditional learners
Experience designing learning experiences for business, industry, community, government, healthcare, nonprofit, or employer-partner audiences
Experience developing competency-based or skills-based assessments, rubrics, performance tasks, projects, portfolios, simulations, workplace scenarios, or other evidence of learning
Experience collaborating with faculty, subject matter experts, community collaborators, industry partners, or employers to co-design learning experiences
Experience facilitating workshops, training sessions, or professional development opportunities in a higher education environment
Experience using e-learning authoring tools, multimedia tools, AI tools, Adobe products, or other technologies to support online and blended learning
Familiarity with digital badges, stackable credentials, micro-credentials, competency frameworks, or alternative credentialing models
Experience conducting quality assurance reviews for online course design, accessibility, instructional alignment, usability, and learner experience

Responsibilities

Design and develop engaging, accessible learning experiences for adult and professional audiences, including courses, workshops, customized training, micro-credentials, and certificates.
Apply adult learning theory, learner-centered instructional design principles, and evidence-based practices to develop measurable learning outcomes, activities, assessments, and instructional materials across online, hybrid, and in-person formats.
Translate academic, technical, and professional content into practical, skills-based learning experiences aligned with learner, workforce, and industry needs.
Support the development of modular and stackable learning pathways that connect competencies, assessments, credentials, and opportunities for continued learning or career advancement.
Partner with faculty, subject matter experts, staff, program leaders, workforce partners, and employers to identify learning needs and co-design effective programs.
Facilitate the translation of faculty expertise and employer-identified skills into applied learning activities, workplace scenarios, projects, assessments, and other evidence of competency.
Build, revise, test, and maintain courses in Canvas, VCU’s learning management system, ensuring clear navigation, accessibility, usability, learner engagement, and consistency.
Develop and integrate accessible interactive content, multimedia, and digital learning resources using tools such as DesignPLUS, Harmonize, Panopto, Adobe Express, Canva, and other learning technologies.
Manage multiple course and program development projects from initial scoping through development, review, launch, evaluation, and revision.
Coordinate timelines, documentation, stakeholder feedback, and deliverables while conducting quality assurance reviews for instructional alignment, accessibility, functionality, learner experience, and course readiness.
Analyze course data and learner, instructor, partner, and program feedback to improve learning experiences and contribute to VCU CPE standards, templates, workflows, and instructional design practices.
Stay current with emerging learning technologies, including appropriate uses of artificial intelligence, and evolving practices in adult learning, workforce education, micro-credentials, and continuing and professional education.
Pursue professional development opportunities and association memberships to advance knowledge and expertise and contribute to the scholarship and professionalism of the unit.