Manager, Design & Development

Western Governors University•Salt Lake, UT

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Manager, Design & Development leads the design, development, and production of competency-based learning and assessment experiences for academic and professional programs. The role manages a team of instructional designers, assessment developers, and instructional technologists, ensuring high-quality, engaging learning content and valid, reliable assessments that reflect the intended design. The manager works with leadership and stakeholders to resource and deliver curriculum and assessment solutions on time and within budget, while fostering continuous improvement and student success. Learning products must meet institutional standards of excellence, integrity, and innovation. This position is based in WGU’s Salt Lake City, Utah office. It is a full-time, regular role with 40 standard weekly hours and eligibility for bonuses. The position requires occasional travel of up to 20%, including attendance at designated company summits, typically one to two per year, and other business-related travel as needed.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree.
At least 5 years of relevant experience, including supervisory or team leadership experience.
Broad management knowledge and understanding of instructional design and/or assessment development, including awareness of their impact on broader institutional goals.
Proven ability to lead, organize, and manage teams to achieve high-quality outcomes.
Strong coaching and talent-development skills, with experience managing direct reports.
Experience delivering high-quality educational products in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
Ability to build relationships, collaborate effectively, and influence at all levels in a matrixed organization.
Strong project-management and organizational skills, ability to manage multiple tasks, and attention to detail.
Analytical ability and experience using data to identify trends, guide decisions, and implement process improvements.
Sound judgment, problem-solving, and decision-making skills in fast-paced environments.
Ability to foster innovation, continuous improvement, and best practices in curriculum and assessment design.
Experience using AI in product design and development.
Excellent communication skills, including tailoring messages to different audiences and providing constructive feedback.
Adaptability and resilience, including managing ambiguity and leading teams through change.
Strong understanding of instructional design, curriculum development, adult learning theory, and assessment best practices.
Commitment to inclusive, engaging, learner-centered educational experiences.
Proficiency with digital tools, learning management systems, and production workflows in online learning environments.
Ability to travel occasionally, up to 20%, including required attendance at designated company summits; additional business travel may be assigned as needed.
Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer; ability to lift up to 15 pounds at times.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Instructional Design, Curriculum and Instruction, Educational Technology, Learning Sciences, or a related field.
Experience creating innovative, mobile-first, social-by-design, gamified, or non-linear learning experiences at scale.
Experience with UI/UX design principles and using AI in product design and development.
Demonstrated experience with process development, implementation, and continuous-improvement initiatives.
Strong understanding of higher education and competency-based education models.
Success in change management, particularly stabilizing and structuring diffuse or ambiguous projects or processes.
Strong organizational, time-management, prioritization, and project-management skills.

Responsibilities

Lead and supervise teams of instructional designers, assessment developers, and educational technologists, supporting performance, engagement, and accountability.
Ensure design and development deliverables meet quality, consistency, and alignment expectations for curriculum, assessments, program goals, design specifications, and best practices.
Use data-driven insights to identify trends, challenges, and improvement opportunities in curriculum and assessment content, and develop strategies to address them.
Model and mentor best practices in using AI for curriculum and assessment design.
Manage design and development processes for assigned projects, ensuring timelines, budgets, and quality standards are met.
Lead assessment design to ensure validity, relevance, technical accuracy, and alignment with program competencies and learning objectives.
Plan staff assignments and determine approaches and methods for completing projects.
Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders throughout project design, development, delivery, and maintenance.
Analyze stakeholder feedback and implement necessary curriculum and assessment improvements or changes.
Coordinate delivery of course designs, scope specifications, and other deliverables to development vendors or partners.
Build and maintain cross-functional partnerships supporting high-quality learning experiences.
Provide direct reports with measurable feedback, coaching, and professional development opportunities.
Manage risks and remove barriers to keep projects on track and aligned with institutional goals.
Collaborate with stakeholders to establish project timelines and milestones and communicate proactively to support on-time delivery.
Participate in developing innovative instructional strategies and assessment methods.
Perform other related duties as assigned.