wisconsin

Instructional Designer

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Position Title:

Instructional Designer

Job Category:

Academic Staff

Employment Type:

Regular

Job Profile:

Instructional & Media Designer

Job Duties:

The Instructional Designer provides strategic leadership and expert consultation and development to faculty and academic units in the College of Community Engagement and Professions (CCEP) at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) in the design, delivery, and continuous improvement of high-quality learning experiences. As a faculty-facing role, this position serves as a consultant and developer of pedagogy, course design, assessment, accessibility, and instructional innovation across face-to-face, hybrid, and online modalities. The Instructional Designer participates in cross-functional initiatives related to CCEP institutional teaching and learning strategy.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Faculty Partnership & Pedagogical Consultation and Development

  • Serve as a primary, faculty-facing instructional design consultant and developer, partnering with instructors to design, redesign, and enhance courses and curricula.

  • Facilitate collaborative course design processes that respect faculty expertise while guiding evidence-based instructional decisions.

  • Partner with faculty on learning objectives alignment, instructional strategies, assessment design including for purposes of data collection related to program accreditation, and student engagement.

  • Support faculty adoption of inclusive, learner-centered, and active learning pedagogies.

  • Promote and facilitate the development and incorporation of Open Educational Resources in collaboration with UWM Libraries, etc.

Leadership & Program Support

  • Lead instructional design initiatives aligned with CCEP priorities (e.g., online program development, general education reform, teaching excellence initiatives).

  • Develop and maintain instructional design standards, templates, best-practice guidelines, and course and program maintenance and re-invigoration schedules.

  • Contribute to long-term planning for instructional design services and academic innovation.

Course & Curriculum Design

  • Apply advanced instructional design frameworks (e.g., backward design, learning sciences, Universal Design for Learning) to course and program development.

  • Guide faculty through course mapping and curriculum coherence at the program level.

  • Ensure course designs meet internal quality standards and external frameworks (e.g., Quality Matters™ or comparable rubrics).

  • Oversee review and continuous improvement of existing courses based on data, feedback, and meeting accreditation standards and competencies.

Faculty Development & Scholarly Teaching

  • Design and facilitate workshops, institutes, and/or communities of practice focused on teaching effectiveness and course design.

  • Create faculty-facing resources, guides, and exemplars related to pedagogy, assessment, and instructional technology.

  • Support the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) through course design inquiry and assessment practices.

Learning Technology Strategy

  • Provide guidance on the effective use of instructional technologies, Canvas, digital media tools, and educational software.

  • Partner with IT, libraries, and accessibility services to select, integrate, and evaluate emerging technologies that enhance teaching and learning.

  • Support the development of high‑quality online, blended, and in-person learning experiences consistent with institutional standards.

Accessibility, Equity & Compliance

  • Lead the application of accessibility standards (e.g., Web Content Accessibility Guidelines), Universal Design for Learning, and inclusive teaching practices.

  • Consult and partner with faculty on designing and developing accessible course materials and learning activities that ensure compliance with federal, state, and university requirements, including ADA, copyright, and academic integrity standards.

  • Promote equitable learning experiences that support diverse student populations.

Assessment & Continuous Improvement

  • Collaborate with faculty and academic leaders on course- and program-level assessment strategies.

  • Analyze learning data, course evaluations, and other evidence to inform instructional improvements.

  • Prepare reports and recommendations for academic leadership on CCEP teaching and learning initiatives and strategic priorities.

Key Job Responsibilities:

  • Applies project management principles to course or media design such as defining project scope, establishing milestones, and tracking progress
  • Provides pedagogical consultation services for instructors and staff on instructional toolsand technologies, best practices for digital instructional content, and institutional initiatives
  • Establishes and maintains collaborative relationships with instructors and other academic staff to advance excellence in teaching and learning
  • Trains and supports instructors and staff to leverage technology and teach implement pedagogy effectively
  • Works with campus partners across pre-production, production, and post-production stages of media development for implementation in courses and other campusinitiatives
  • Reviews courses, media, or other learning products for quality using industry standardsand accessibility best practices
  • Creates and maintains documentation on pedagogy, course or media design, templates, instructional technologies, and curates a library of shareable resources
  • Designs and develops learning activities and course content using instructional technologies to foster inclusive and equitable student experiences

College: College of Community Engagement & Professions

Department: Student Services

Target Salary: $65,000 - $75,000 Annual, actual hiring salary dependent on skills and experience related to the position

Required Qualifications:

  • Master’s degree in Instructional Design, Educational Technology, Curriculum and Instruction, or a related field.

  • At least one year experience with Canvas learning management system.

  • At least two years experience in instructional design.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Demonstrated success in faculty-facing consultation and partnership.

  • Significant experience in instructional design or faculty development in higher education.

  • Advanced knowledge of instructional design theory, learning sciences, and assessment.

  • Experience leading projects or initiatives, and mentoring others.

  • Strong facilitation, communication, and relationship-building skills.

Core Competencies

  • Faculty consultation and academic partnership

  • Instructional design leadership and development

  • Pedagogical innovation and scholarly teaching

  • Accessibility and inclusive design leadership

  • Strategic planning and project management

  • Collaboration and influence without authority

  • Work independently and effectively as well as part of a team

Work Environment & Expectations

  • Highly collaborative, faculty-centered academic environment.

  • Flexible to accommodate faculty needs and academic calendars.

  • This position will not only facilitate others but will be responsible for developing course and curriculum designs, etc. to meet program priority deadlines for accreditation, the launch of new programs, etc.

  • The work of this position will be performed primarily on-site, at UWM’s main campus.

How to Apply:

Interested applicants are required to apply online and submit the following:

  • Cover Letter

  • Resume

PLEASE NOTE: Resumes and CVs will need to be uploaded to the same area in the application.

In instances where the Search and Screen is unable to ascertain from the candidates' application materials whether they meet any of the qualifications, they may be evaluated as not meeting such qualifications.

Finalist candidate(s) being considered for hire will be required to provide three professional/supervisor references through an external reference checking tool. References will not be contacted prior to candidates being notified.

The last day to submit your application is Sunday, August 2.

Contact Information:

Adam Garcia - HR Coordinator

garci289@uwm.edu

Reasonable Accommodations
Pursuant to university policy, UWM provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities who are employees or applicants for employment. Employment opportunities will not be denied because of the need to make reasonable accommodations for a qualified individual with a disability. If you need assistance or accommodation in applying because of a disability, please contact uwm-jobs@uwm.edu or 414-229-4463. This job announcement and other material on this site will be made available in alternate formats upon request to an individual with a disability.

Confidentiality of Applicant Materials
UWM is a State agency and subject to Wisconsin’s Open Records Law. UWM will not, however, reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing except as may be required by Wisconsin’s Open Records law. In certain circumstances, the identities of “final candidates” and/or the identity of the appointed applicant must be revealed upon request.

CBC and Reference Check Policy
Employment will require a criminal background check. UWM takes the prevention of sexual misconduct seriously. As such, you and your references will be required to answer questions regarding any past findings of sexual violence and sexual harassment or any pending allegations of sexual violence or sexual harassment.

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (Clery Act)
For the UWM Annual Security and Fire Safety Reports (i.e., Clery Report), which includes statistics about reported crimes and information about campus security policies, see http://www.cleryact.uwm.edu/, or call UWM’s Dean of Students Office, Student Union 345 at (414) 229-4632 for a paper copy.

Employment Authorization
In compliance with federal law, all persons at the time of their start date will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

UW is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other bases protected by applicable federal or State law and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.