Instructional Designer

Western Governors University•Salt Lake City, UT

3d•$73,500 - $110,200

About The Position

The Instructional Designer is a skilled learning design professional who develops high-quality, engaging educational experiences aligned with program outcomes, instructional best practices, and each course’s intended scope and sequence. Working with key stakeholders, the role manages course development and evaluates curricular materials, applying expertise in instructional design and learning science. The designer incorporates proven and emerging learning strategies, applies quality standards across projects, and collaborates across teams to research, design, and refine learning experiences. The role manages concurrent projects, assesses risk, tracks progress, and communicates with stakeholders to support accountability and continuous improvement. This is a full-time, regular position classified for 40 standard weekly hours. It requires occasional travel of up to 20%, including attendance at designated company summits, typically one to two per year. Additional travel may include conferences, company locations, and other business-related events as needed.

Requirements

Strong understanding of instructional design principles, curriculum development, and adult learning theory, including 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.
Project management and risk assessment skills, including the ability to meet deadlines across multiple concurrent projects.
Excellent technical writing, editing, and communication skills, with the ability to translate complex ideas into clear, actionable content.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in fast-paced environments with minimal supervision.
Advanced critical thinking, analysis, synthesis, and problem-solving skills with a learner-first mindset.
Ability to build and maintain collaborative relationships with diverse stakeholders and cross-functional teams.
Adaptability, resilience, and sound judgment when navigating ambiguity and change.
Comfort leveraging technology and digital tools to enhance instructional design and learning delivery.
Commitment 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 for education.
At least 3 years of professional experience designing and developing instructional materials or learning experiences in higher education, corporate training, or a similar environment, including 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

Manage the course design and development process for new and existing courses, ensuring alignment with instructional best practices, scope and sequence, and defined learning outcomes.
Design and develop engaging, contextually rich, objective-driven learning experiences that reflect real-world application and support diverse learner needs.
Apply evidence-based instructional and learning experience design strategies, including UX/UI and accessibility best practices.
Collaborate with faculty, internal teams, and external stakeholders to ensure instructional alignment, technical feasibility, and consistency in course design.
Evaluate, develop, and revise curricular materials, learning resources, and assessments to align with program objectives and learner competencies.
Conduct quality assurance reviews and implement continuous improvement processes to maintain academic and instructional quality.
Complete course development projects on time and within established budget parameters.
Share expertise and support peers in applying best-practice design principles and solving complex learning design challenges.
Stay current with trends in learning science, instructional design, digital learning technologies, and learner behavior.
Leverage system capabilities and emerging tools to enhance learning experiences and contribute to innovation in design and delivery.
Perform other related duties as assigned.