Instructional Designer

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Texas.

📋 Description

• Collaborate with Subject Matter Experts and key stakeholders to create engaging and effective online courses for higher education and corporate partners.

• Ensure courses adhere to research-based online learning best practices, incorporate relevant technologies, and meet established quality standards.

• Modify content for online instruction while defining clear learning outcomes.

• Align course materials and assessments with predetermined learning outcomes and objectives.

• Design suitable assessments and recommend effective instructional methods and open educational resources.

• Maintain thorough documentation of design choices and prepare materials for partner review and approval.

• Integrate feedback from partners and stakeholders through agreed-upon revision cycles.

• Utilize AI-powered tools to generate ideas for course content and optimize development workflows.

• Facilitate working sessions with SMEs and secure approvals for course design deliverables.

• Coordinate with e-Learning Technology, Quality Review, Video & Multimedia Services, Graphic Design, and other internal production teams at handoff stages.

• Participate in milestone reviews and project check-ins to ensure delivery timelines are met.

• Inform the Lead Instructional Designer and Project Manager of any issues impacting course design, development, and delivery.

• Support learning experiences that effectively integrate pedagogy, learner experience, and technology within partners’ educational technology ecosystems.

⛳️ Requirements

• Advanced degree in Education, Instructional Technology, or a related field.

• Current, comprehensive knowledge of instructional design and learning theories.

• Expertise in online learning, instructional design and technology, adult learning theory, and andragogy/pedagogy.

• 3–5 years of experience working with SMEs to develop online courses in higher education or corporate settings.

• Strong proficiency in various learning management systems such as Blackboard, Canvas, D2L, Moodle, and other related educational technologies.

• Ability to comprehend LMS capabilities and limitations and utilize them to guide learning design decisions.

• Proven capability to cultivate strong relationships with subject matter experts and adhere to deadlines.

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

• Capacity to lead and collaboratively influence others.

• Strategic thinking skills focused on student engagement, retention, measurable outcomes, and institutional objectives.

• Experience with ADA compliance and quality standards for course design, including Quality Matters and OLC.

• Demonstrated proficiency with AI-powered instructional design tools.

• Ability to critically evaluate AI outputs for pedagogical quality and alignment with learning objectives using curiosity and analytical thinking.

• Adaptability and ability to quickly learn and implement new processes, tools, and methodologies.

• Strong organizational skills, excellent follow-through, and exceptional attention to detail.

• Must reside in the Eastern, Central, Mountain, or Pacific time zones.

• Candidates must not be based in California, New York, Illinois, or Massachusetts.

• Must be available to attend scheduled project meetings during regular business hours.

• Preferred: demonstrated success working with academic and business partners to create online courses.

• Preferred: strong oral and written communication and presentation skills.

• Preferred: background in Learner Experience Design.

• Preferred: expertise in competency-based learning.

• Preferred: comprehensive understanding of open educational resources (OERs).

• Preferred: quality assurance training and certification (QM, OSCQR, or equivalent).

• Preferred: experience in post-secondary teaching and learning.

🏝️ Benefits

• Engagement as an independent contractor (1099).

• Contractors have the flexibility to determine their own working hours outside of scheduled meetings and agreed deadlines.

• Flexible work arrangement with pre-scheduled project meetings during regular business hours.