Instructional Designer

Western Governors University•Salt Lake City, UT

1d•Remote

About The Position

The Instructional Designer is a skilled learning design professional who develops high-quality, engaging educational experiences that align with program outcomes, instructional best practices, and each course's intended scope and sequence. In conjunction with key stakeholders, this role manages the course development process and evaluates curricular materials, providing expertise in instructional design and learning science. Incorporates proven and emerging learning strategies into curriculum design and consistently applies quality standards across projects. Passionate about learner success, this role collaborates across teams to research, design, and refine impactful learning experiences. Manages multiple concurrent projects, assesses risk, tracks progress, and communicates effectively with stakeholders to promote accountability and continuous improvement.

Requirements

Strong understanding of instructional design principles, curriculum development, and adult learning theory, emphasizing scope and sequence, real-world application, and measurable learning outcomes.
Demonstrated ability to design and develop engaging, inclusive, and objective-aligned learning experiences for diverse adult learners.
Experience applying evidence-based design strategies informed by learning science and behavioral research.
Working knowledge of assessment design, learning resource integration, and alignment to program and course competencies.
Skilled in project management, risk assessment, and meeting deadlines across multiple concurrent projects.
Excellent technical writing, editing, and communication skills, with the ability to translate complex ideas into clear, actionable content.
Adept at working both independently and collaboratively in fast-paced environments with minimal supervision.
Advanced skills in critical thinking, analysis, synthesis, and problem-solving with a learner-first mindset.
Ability to build and maintain collaborative relationships with diverse stakeholders and cross-functional teams.
Demonstrates adaptability, resilience, and sound judgment in navigating ambiguity and change.
Comfortable leveraging technology and digital tools to enhance instructional design and learning delivery.
Committed to continuous learning and applying innovations that enhance instructional quality and student experience.
Strong interest in exploring human-centered uses of emerging technologies, including AI, to improve learning experiences.
Master's degree in Instructional Design, Learning Sciences, Educational Technology, Curriculum and Instruction, or a related field; related experience may substitute in lieu of education.
3 years of professional experience designing and developing instructional materials or learning experiences in higher education, corporate training, or a similar environment.
Experience should include curriculum development, course design, and collaboration with subject matter experts and cross-functional teams.

Nice To Haves

Experience designing for adult learners, online learning environments, or competency-based education models.
Familiarity with learning management systems, digital authoring tools, or UX principles in learning environments.
Experience working in agile or iterative development processes.

Responsibilities

Manages the course design and development process for new and existing courses, ensuring alignment with instructional best practices, scope and sequence, and defined learning outcomes.
Designs and develops engaging, contextually rich, and objective-driven learning experiences that reflect real-world application and support diverse learner needs.
Applies evidence-based instructional and learning experience design strategies, including best practices in UX/UI and accessibility, to create high-quality educational experiences.
Collaborates with faculty, internal teams, and external stakeholders to ensure instructional alignment, technical feasibility, and consistency in course design.
Evaluates, develops, and revises curricular materials, learning resources, and assessments to ensure alignment with program objectives and learner competencies.
Conducts quality assurance reviews and implement continuous improvement processes to maintain high standards of academic and instructional quality.
Ensures timely completion of course development projects within established timelines and budget parameters.
Acts as a collaborative partner and mentor, sharing expertise and supporting peers in applying best-practice design principles and solving complex learning design challenges.
Stays current with trends in learning science, instructional design, digital learning technologies, and learner behavior to inform and enhance design practices.
Leverages system capabilities and emerging tools to enhance the overall learning experience and contribute to innovation in design and delivery.
Performs other related duties as assigned.