Instructional Design Manager

Job Description

Vanderbilt University is seeking an Instructional Design Manager in the Office of Learning Innovation, which is housed in the Institute for the Advancement of Higher Education within the Office of the Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs and Professional Education (OFAPE).

It is an exciting time at Vanderbilt as the University officially welcomed C. Cybele Raver as its new Provost and Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs on July 1, 2021. Under the leadership of Provost Raver, the Office of the Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs and Professional Education is leading bold new initiatives and strengthening existing programs. The Senior Instructional Designer reports directly to the Executive Director of the Office of Learning Innovation and serves as a member of the Instructional Design team.

The Instructional Design Manager will promote effective online and blended teaching as part of the Office of Education Design & Development and the Office of Learning Innovation, which supports the development and delivery of digital and lifelong learning programs. This role will consult with faculty and other university instructors on the design of online and blended programs that use Vanderbilt’s learning management system and other educational tools. The Instructional Design Manager will leverage their expertise and instructional design research to ensure the delivery of high-quality online learning experiences for Vanderbilt students.

The Office of Faculty Affairs and Professional Education (OFAPE) in the Office of the Provost is led by the Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs and Professional Education. OFAPE exists to support and champion Vanderbilt faculty at every stage of their career and to promote and advise professional academic programs. Vanderbilt University has over 4,000 full-time faculty across ten schools and colleges. The OFAPE includes the Institute for Advancement of Higher Education, the Office of Academic Program Review, Assessment, & Accreditation, the Office of Educational Design & Development, the Office of Faculty Appointments, the Office of Faculty Development, the Office of Learning Innovation, and the Office of Professional Education. The OFAPE leadership team includes two associate provosts, two assistant provosts, two senior faculty fellows, and six directors.

Created by the University Provost following an external review of the University’s Center for Teaching and Office of Digital Education, the new Institute for the Advancement of Higher Education (AdvancED) exists to promote cutting-edge innovations in higher education pedagogy and student experience in order to maximize the impact of new ideas on society. The Institute provides university faculty development and training, optimizes student learning in all environments, drives technological and pedagogical innovation, and charts the course for a best-in-class future. The Institute includes the Office of Education Design and Development and the Office of Learning Innovation.

The Office of Learning Innovation is dedicated to advancing new, uniquely Vanderbilt ways of delivering education to meet the evolving needs of learners and maximize the university’s global impact. The team focuses on supporting the growth of the university’s digital and lifelong learning portfolio, providing expertise in educational technologies, and elevating Vanderbilt as a leader in cutting-edge learning innovation.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Instructional Design Manager will support the AdvancED Instructional Design team in the development and design of digital and lifelong learning. They will work closely with faculty and other university instructors to share best practices, research and resources needed to create high engagement online and blended learning experiences. They have strong communication skills, an appetite for collaboration and deep understanding of instructional design principles and practices.

Key functions include:

Consult with university stakeholders on the design of online and blended academic programs

• Partner with instructors on articulating learning objectives, preparing learning materials, development of assessments and assignments, and planning of learning activities
• Provide guidance to academic departments, schools and other units on the design and assessment of online programs, as well as the evaluation and adoption of online learning tools
• Partner closely with cross-functional partners, including project managers, digital media designers, and instructional technologists, to design and develop new online and lifelong learning programs
• Lead the production of new online and lifelong learning courses in the university’s learning management system
• Document and disseminate instructional design best practices for online and blended programs

Lead the AdvancED instructional design team

• Support, mentor and coach instructional design staff
• Refine and implement vision for instructional design team’s support services, processes and resources

Deliver faculty trainings and workshops to promote instructional design best practices

• In partnership with the Office of Education Design and Development, plan and deliver workshops and trainings that offer opportunities for the Vanderbilt teaching community to learn and implement principles and practices of instructional design

Keep abreast of instructional design research and practices for online and blended programs

• Stay current on research, theory, and practices in instructional design, particularly as it relates to online and lifelong learning

Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree is required. A Ph.D., Ed.D, or other terminal degree is preferred.
• Experience in instructional design for online and blended learning programs is required.
• Experience in higher education is required.
• Experience in designing and implementing online learning programs is required.
• A proven track record of working in a complex institution with competing stakeholders is required.
• Familiarity with Brightspace or other LMS and online educational resources and tool is required.
• Experience in project management is preferred.
• Experience working in cross-functional teams is preferred.
• Experience leading and managing staff if preferred.
• A proven track record with project managing complex processes is preferred.
• Experience working with academic and professional leaders in a higher education setting is preferred.
• Knowledge of online universal design standards and policies is preferred.
• Familiar with Quality Matters is preferred.
• Knowledge of ADA requirements for online course delivery is preferred.
• Experience in one or more of the following areas is preferred: multimedia production, digital marketing or design, content authoring tools.

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

At Vanderbilt University, we are intentional about and assume accountability for fostering advancement and respect for equity, diversity, and inclusion for all students, faculty, and staff. Our commitment to diversity makes us who we are.  We have created a community that celebrates differences and lets individuality thrive. As part of this commitment, we actively value diversity in our workplace and learning environments as we seek to take advantage of the rich backgrounds and abilities of everyone. The diverse voices of Vanderbilt represent an invaluable resource for the University in its efforts to fulfill its mission and strive to be an example of excellence in higher education.

 Vanderbilt University is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.

 Please note, all candidates selected for an offer of employment are subject to pre-employment background checks, which may include but are not limited to, based on the role for which they have been selected: criminal history, education verification, social media review, motor vehicle records, credit history, and professional license verification.

ABOUT US

Vanderbilt is a community of talented and diverse staff & faculty!

At Vanderbilt University , our work – regardless of title or role – is in service to an important and noble mission in which every member of our community serves in advancing knowledge and transforming lives on a daily basis. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, on a 330+ acre campus and arboretum dating back to 1873, Vanderbilt is proud to have been named as one of “America’s Best Large Employers” as well as a top employer in Tennessee and the Nashville metropolitan area by Forbes for several years running. We welcome those who are interested in learning and growing professionally with an employer that strives to create, foster and sustain opportunities as an employer of choice through:

• Working and growing together as a community of communities… we are One Vanderbilt.
• Providing a work environment where every staff and faculty member can be their authentic and best self, while providing the resources and opportunities to learn and grow.
• Encouraging development, collaboration, and partnership both internally and externally while fostering the value that every member of the Vanderbilt community can lead and grow regardless of title or position.

We understand you have a choice when choosing where to work and pursue a career. We understand you are unique and have a story. We want to hear it. We encourage you to apply today so that you might become a part of our story.

Vanderbilt University has made the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff and our surrounding communities a top priority. As part of that commitment, the University may require employees to comply with any testing or health and safety measures which the University may require.