Instructional Design Project Leader

Synopsis of Role:

Serves as a Project Leader within the Instruction Design Team of the Academic Services Department, responsible for accomplishing significant instructional design projects such as the development of courses in new academic degree programs. Requires the ability to assemble and manage teams of qualified remote workers that may include consultants and contractors; manage projects to meet established timelines; manage a budget and complete projects within specified budget thresholds; and generally coordinate all activities to meet mission goals while normally working away from the team office.

Essential Functions: 

• Serves as a Project Leader on the Instructional Design team that leads and collaborates with both internal and external staff and consultants to develop new and update existing courses so they comply with industry best practices and achieve desired student learning outcomes.
• Applies knowledge of effective online pedagogy/andragogy best practices and effectively articulate the advantages and disadvantages of various development techniques and principles for courses under development.
• Works independently to effectively manage projects, virtual teams, and budgets.
• Coordinates resources and schedules to accomplish specified instructional design missions within prescribed timelines.
• Develops and manages the workflow of project schedules, contracts, and the course development and design process by coordinating input from team members.

Critical Skills and Job Complexity: 

• Demonstrated knowledge of the Web and instructional design issues related to teaching and learning in online courses, preferably higher education.
• Manage and work effectively as a member of a virtual team that is geographically dispersed in order to accomplish assigned milestones and tasks within the contracted deadlines.
• Must be proficient in the use of various office technologies, instant messaging, and the Internet.
• Must have sufficient comfort level with using various virtual collaboration tools.
• Exceptional interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Ability to work creatively in a well-defined, collaborative process.

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Graduate degree preferred with a major in Instructional Design, Curriculum and Instruction, or a related instructional field.
• Prior experience as an Instructional Designer for an institution of higher education is desired, though related experience could compensate for lack of this specific background.
• Demonstrated success with the design and development of curriculum and instruction in a distance learning environment with a broad knowledge of Web-based e-learning for an online institution of higher education.
• Experience with an online learning management system is required.

Work Environment and Physical Demands:

Work is performed primarily off-site (home, for example) at a location established by employee. Some travel to the Charles Town office or other locations may be required from time to time. Work requires access to high speed Internet at all times, telephone or cell phone, preferably with hands-free capabilities, instant messaging, Microsoft Office (2003/2007), and e-mail with schedule/calendar feature at all times.