Instructional Designer, Online Programs

As our Instructional Designer for Online Programs, you’ll be at the forefront of revolutionizing how we learn in the digital age. Collaborating closely with our Learning Experience team, you’ll breathe life into online courses, crafting engaging experiences that captivate and inspire learners across Villanova University and our campus. This is a hybrid role with the opportunity to work remotely up to two days per week.

The Instructional Designer 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 our Learning Experience team, the Instructional Designer will build the course in Villanova’s Learning Management System, all according to detailed blueprints and in conjunction with our multimedia and technology specialist. This person will also host select end-user training to support University and faculty needs.

Mission Of The Office Of Online Programs

The Office of Online Programs collaborates with the Villanova community to design, develop, and evaluate learning experiences through a comprehensive human-centered and stakeholder-driven service approach.

Vision Of The Office Of Online Programs

Broadening access to a Villanova education through online learning experiences that grow with our constantly changing world.

Duties And Responsibilities

• Partners with faculty and LXDs to explore, select and ultimately develop and revise innovative technology-enriched courses through the University’s LMS .
• 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 ID-OP will support the LXDs in the development phase by creating and producing the course in the LMS .
• Activities include:
  • populating and formatting desired content, developing assessments in the LMS , designing interactive learning objects, etc.
• Works closely with the multimedia team on the inclusion of any multimedia elements into the course and builds and coordinates timelines to ensure that the course development remains on schedule.
• Works iteratively with the faculty member and the LXD to review draft versions of the course shell until finalized.
• Conduct a quality assurance review and are responsible for ensuring all technology is operating efficiently and effectively in the final build.
• Assume operational responsibility for courses that are duplicated and in need of minor updates each term in support of the OOP and university programs.
• 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 delivering group and individual trainings and consultations, engaging in strategic projects and researching/testing new instructional technologies (in conjunction with UNIT as needed).
• Contributes to regular team process improvements to ensure operational success and adherence to designing “the Villanova Way”.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Formal Education

• Bachelor’s degree required.

Work Experience

• At least two years of experience of development and building fully online educational courses in a learning management system.
• Prior experience working in higher education is a highly preferred
• Experience in a multi-vendor computing environment.

Specific Job Knowledge

• Expert knowledge of building and designing courses in learning management systems (e.g. Blackboard, Canvas, Desire2Learn).
• 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, WCAG 2.1, 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 of HTML or willingness to learn basic HTML for course formatting.
• Familiarity with federal guidelines governing online education.

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 – as this group includes 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.
• Experience managing complex projects 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

• Master’s degree in instructional technology, instructional design or related field is a plus.

Physical Requirements And/or Unusual Work Hours

Special Message to Applicants:

As a valued unit within the Office of the Provost and the larger Villanova community, the Office of Online Programs embraces an intentionally designed hybrid work schedule to ensure that all employees can enjoy the benefits of belonging to a vibrant campus community.

Ignite Your Career at Villanova University! Whether undergraduate or graduate, faculty or staff, each community member brings with them a wealth of experiences that enrich our University and shift our perspectives. As a part of this community, your work will improve lives and ignite change!

Why work at Villanova?

• Join a mission-driven organization. Since Villanova University’s founding in 1842, we have been inspired by the values of truth, unity, and love, and are a community dedicated to service to others.
• Villanova has been included among the nation’s best colleges and universities. VU’s inclusion again in U.S. News & World Report’s 2023 “Best Colleges” rankings is another indication of the University’s continued prominence and forward momentum.
• We believe that an inclusive community fosters an understanding and appreciation for diversity among our students, faculty, staff and administrators. The Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion works to address issues of equity and justice in a variety of ways including workshops, events and employee resource groups
• Villanova’s most precious asset is our people. As an employee, you will receive a holistic benefits package, generous paid time off, a competitive retirement savings plan, flexible work options, wellness programs including gym membership, professional development, tuition assistance, and more.

About Organization

Villanova University was founded in 1842 by the Order of St. Augustine. To this day, Villanova's Augustinian Catholic tradition is the cornerstone of an academic community where students learn to think critically, act compassionately and succeed while serving others.

The Villanova community helps students grow intellectually, professionally and spiritually and challenges them to reach their full potential. Villanova’s academic experience, rooted in the liberal arts, forms an environment in which students and professors are partners in learning. Through academic and service programs, students use their skills, knowledge and compassion to better the world around them.

The University draws students from 45 states and nearly 50 countries. More than 10,000 undergraduate, graduate and law students take part in a wide variety of degree and certificate programs throughout the University's six colleges – the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Villanova School of Business, the College of Engineering, the M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, the College of Professional Studies and the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law.