Position Summary:The Associate Director, Instructional Design, Online Programs will focus on developing high-quality learning experiences. They will partner with the Learning Experience Designers (LXDs) in the Office of Online Programs (OOP) to build and revise courses for fully online and multi-modality programs in the University's Learning Management System (LMS). The Associate Director will provide upfront consultation to faculty on the development, delivery, and presentation of instructional material within a course including the exploration and demonstration of ways to enhance learning using instructional technologies. As faculty move through the course design and development process with LXDs, the Associate Director will build the course in the University'sLMS, using multiple tools, according to detailed blueprints and in coordination with multimedia and technology specialists in the University Information Technology (UNIT) department as needed. The Associate Director will also host select end-user training to support University and faculty needs.The Associate Director may also be responsible for managing other Instructional Designer(s) on the team. In this role, they will provide leadership and guidance to their direct reports on day-to-day responsibilities. In addition, the Associate Director will support the Director, Course Development & Operations with overall team mentoring, team scheduling and other strategic initiatives. They will be responsible for introducing ideas to leadership for discussion, review and consideration and acting as a team "trainer" when appropriate.The Associate Director will be expected to stay up to date on the latest instructional technologies and related innovative applications. They will be responsible for providing theOOPwith recommendations and suggested updates/changes that would optimize the learning experience.As a valued unit within the Office of the Provost and the larger Villanova community, theOOPembraces an intentionally designed hybrid work schedule with the opportunity to work remotely up to two days a week.Duties and Responsibilities:- - Partners with faculty and LXDs to explore, develop and revise innovative technology-enriched courses using the University'sLMSand other learning platforms/tools. With a cross-functional design team, engages in upfront faculty consultations to explore potential use cases of technological applications based on an initial needs assessment. At the conclusion of the design process, the Associate Director will support the LXDs in the development phase by creating and producing the course in theLMS, using a multitude of learning tools. Activities include populating and formatting desired content, developing assessments in theLMS, designing interactive learning objects, etc. The Associate Director will work closely with the multimedia team on the inclusion of any multimedia elements into the course and build and coordinate timelines to ensure that the course development remains on schedule. During the course production process, they will work iteratively with the faculty member and theLXDto review draft versions of the course shell until finalized. At the end of each course build, they will conduct a quality assurance review and are responsible for ensuring all technology is operating efficiently and effectively in the final course build. The Associate Director will also assume operational responsibility for courses that are duplicated and in need of minor updates each term in support of theOOPand university programs.
- Mentors and manages the Instructional Designer(s) who directly report to them. Provide individual and group guidance on functional responsibilities, participating directly on challenging assignments as needed. Supports professional development and goal setting efforts. Advocates and contributes to shaping and maintaining a strong team culture. Assists the Director of Course De elopment & Operations with strategic initiatives and special projects, team scheduling, mentoring, and team training.
- Engages in team activities that promote the effective use of technology, champions innovative technology applications and supports the development of best-in-class online courses. Activities could include engaging in group and individual trainings and consultations with faculty, participating in University strategic projects and researching/testing new instructional technologies (in conjunction withUNITas needed). Contributes to regular team process improvements to ensure operational success and adherence to designing "the Villanova Way".
- Other duties as assigned.Minimum Qualifications:Education
Bachelor's degree required.
Specific Job Knowledge
Expert knowledge of building, designing and supporting courses in learning management platforms (e.g. Blackboard, Brightspace, Canvas,).
Experience working with Articulate, Rise and other authoring applications for creating interactive learning objects.
Experience with software and hardware used in technology-based web conferencing software for online courses (e.g. Zoom, Microsoft Teams), and other instructional technologies (e.g. blogs, wikis, Web 2.0 technologies, student response systems, etc.)
Knowledge of accessibility,WCAG2.2, and universal design principles.
Ability to diagnose and troubleshoot issues with learning technologies software accessed through desktop and mobile devices (e.g.,LMS, Zoom, Tablets, webcams).
Working knowledge ofHTMLor willingness to learn basicHTMLfor course formatting.
Familiarity with federal guidelines governing online education.
Minimum Work Experience
At least four years of experience developing fully online educational courses in a learning management system. Prior experience working in higher education is a plus.
At least two years of experience managing full-time employees.
Experience in a multi-vendor computing environment.
Work Skills
Desire to work in a mission-driven, cross-functional, team-based environment with a commitment to process improvement.
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders including, but not limited to, faculty members and industry practitioners in all disciplines as well as other instructional and learning experience designers, multimedia production specialists, library professionals, and third-party vendors.
Ability to understand and solve complex problems which require follow-up with both internal and external constituencies.
Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail. Strong technical troubleshooting skills.
Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects and lead strategic initiatives with limited resources.
Strong written, oral communication, interpersonal and collaborative skills. Adept at prioritizing tasks and meeting deadlines in a very fast-moving organizational environment.
Superior design skills and creative/innovative mindset.
Commitment to equity and inclusion as it relates to the design of best in class courses.
Working knowledge of design thinking or willingness to learn design thinking as it relates to multi-modal, stakeholder driven course design and development.
Preferred Qualifications:A master's degree in instructional technology, ins