Manager, Design & Development

Western Governors University•Salt Lake City, UT

2d•$87,600 - $144,700•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 supervises instructional designers, assessment developers, and instructional technologists, ensuring high-quality, engaging learning content and valid, reliable assessments aligned with their intended design. Working with leaders and stakeholders, the manager resources and delivers curriculum and assessment solutions on time and within budget, promotes continuous improvement, and ensures learning products meet institutional standards for excellence, integrity, and innovation. This position is based in WGU’s Salt Lake City, Utah office. It is a full-time, regular position with 40 standard weekly hours. The role requires occasional travel of up to 20%, including attendance at designated company summits, typically one to two per year, and may include conferences, visits to company locations, and other business events.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree.
Five 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 its impact on broader institutional goals.
Proven ability to lead, organize, and manage teams and their activities 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 within a matrixed organization.
Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to handle multiple tasks and maintain attention to detail.
Analytical mindset and experience using data to identify trends, drive decisions, and implement process improvements.
Sound judgment, problem-solving, and decision-making skills in fast-paced and dynamic 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 the ability to manage ambiguity and lead teams through change.
Strong understanding of instructional design, curriculum development, adult learning theory, and assessment best practices.
Commitment to creating inclusive, engaging, learner-centered educational experiences.
Proficiency with digital tools, learning management systems, and production workflows in online learning environments.
Ability to sit for prolonged periods and work at a computer, and lift up to 15 pounds at times.
Ability to travel occasionally, up to 20%, including required attendance at designated company summits.

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 the higher education landscape 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 instructional designers, assessment developers, and educational technologists, ensuring high performance, engagement, and accountability.
Ensure design and development deliverables meet quality, consistency, and alignment expectations for curriculum and assessments, including alignment with program goals, design specifications, and best practices.
Use data-driven insights to identify trends, challenges, and opportunities to improve curriculum and assessment content, and develop actionable strategies.
Model and mentor best practices for leveraging AI in curriculum and assessment design.
Manage design and development processes for assigned projects, ensuring adherence to timelines, budgets, and quality standards.
Lead assessment design efforts 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 design and development deliverables to development vendors or partners.
Build and maintain cross-functional partnerships to support the development and maintenance of 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.
Work with stakeholders to establish detailed project timelines and milestones, communicate proactively, and support on-time delivery.
Participate in developing innovative instructional strategies and assessment methods.
Perform other related duties as assigned.