Instructional Designer

University of Alberta; Edmonton; Hybrid; CAD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Alberta’s Online Learning & Continuing Education (OCE) is seeking an Instructional Designer to craft engaging online learning experiences for credit and non-credit programming. You will work with academics, SMEs, and partners to plan, design, develop, test, and launch courses with a learner-centred approach.

Responsibilities cover planning, content development, QA, instructor support, project coordination, and ongoing professional development.

Qualifications

• An Undergraduate degree in educational technology, instructional design, adult education or a related field is required; a Master’s degree would be an asset.
• A minimum of three years of online instructional design work experience; preference given to those with experience designing credit, non-credit, and corporate digital learning experiences.
• Experience designing micro-credentials is considered an asset.
• Experience creating online courses within learning management systems and with authoring tools such as Articulate Rise & Storyline.
• Experience including Indigenous Initiatives and Access, Community and Belonging across the digital learning experience.
• Must have experience developing learner personas, content frameworks, and storyboards.
• Some knowledge of web, graphic design, and multimedia development (HTML, CSS, Adobe, Camtasia) is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Planning & Design: Assess learning needs and recommend outcomes, modalities, and instructional approaches.
• Content, Assets, & Assessments: Guide development of online content, activities, assessments, interactives, and multimedia.
• Quality Assurance & Testing: Conduct course quality reviews, accessibility checks, and UAT.
• Instructor Support: Provide onboarding and support for instructors as required.
• Project Coordination: Collaborate to deliver projects on time and within budget, track timelines and status.
• Professional Development & Team Culture: Engage in ongoing development and knowledge sharing.

Education

Undergraduate degree in educational technology or related field

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Articulate Rise & Storyline

WCAG accessibility

Job description

Job Description

Location - This role is hybrid with a mix of remote and in-person. Work primarily takes place at Enterprise Square, Edmonton.

The Online Learning & Continuing Education (OCE) is seeking an Instructional Designer to join its Continuing Education team.

Reporting to the Manager, Continuing Education Curriculum Strategy and Quality, the Instructional Designer provides instructional design expertise throughout the development of engaging online learning experiences for credit and non-credit programming. Working closely with academics, subject matter experts (SMEs), instructors, the Learning Experience Developer, internal teams, and external partners, the position supports learning design from initial planning through development, quality assurance, and launch.

The Instructional Designer brings a learner-centred approach to translating complex subject matter into purposeful, interactive, and memorable digital learning experiences. The position applies best practices in instructional design, accessibility, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and digital learning experience design, while supporting the meaningful integration of Indigenous Initiatives and Access, Community and Belonging (ACB) principles.

Responsibilities

Planning & Design

• Assess learning needs and recommend appropriate learning outcomes, modalities, and instructional approaches.
• Ensure Indigenous Initiatives and Access, Community and Belonging are foundational to all design and development work.
• Apply best practices in online learning, UDL, WCAG, accessibility, and digital LX/UX.
• Facilitate persona, onboarding, and content framework development with academics, SMEs, instructors, and partners.
• In collaboration with the academic lead/SME, develop and/or refine learning outcomes and in alignment with an assessment matrix.

Content, Assets, & Assessments

• Guide the development and refinement of online content, activities, assessments, interactives, and multimedia.
• Provide substantive editing and instructional design recommendations to ensure clarity, structure, and learner engagement.
• Recommend and coordinate appropriate technologies, third-party tools, multimedia, and digital assets.
• Advise on copyright compliance and accessibility requirements.
• Collaborate with LXDs, vendors, and partners to support production and implementation.
• Coordinate with marketing and communications teams to support promotion of online offerings.

Quality Assurance & Testing

• Conduct course quality reviews, accessibility checks, and User Acceptance Testing.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of OCE quality standards, processes, and practices.

Instructor Support

• Provide instructor onboarding and support as required.
• Collaborate with the Centre for Teaching and Learning and other teaching and learning partners.

Project Coordination

• Collaborate with project leads and team members to deliver projects on time, on budget, and to a high standard.
• Track project activities, timelines, deliverables, and status using established tools and processes.
• Contribute to effective team communication, collaboration, and process improvement.

Professional Development & Team Culture

• Engage in ongoing professional development and stay current with instructional design and digital learning practices.
• Contribute to knowledge sharing, research, conferences, and workshops.
• Foster a collaborative team culture through creativity, enthusiasm, and idea-sharing.

Qualifications

Education

• An Undergraduate degree in educational technology, instructional design, adult education or a related field is required; a Master’s degree would be an asset. A diploma with extensive instructional design experience may be considered.
• A minimum of three years of online instructional design work experience; preference given to those with experience designing credit, non-credit, and corporate digital learning experiences.

Experience

• Experience in the planning, design, and development of micro-credentials is considered an asset.
• Demonstrated experience creating online courses within various learning management systems and course authoring tools, including Articulate Rise & Storyline.
• Experience consulting, supporting, and including Indigenous Initiatives and Access, Community and Belonging across the digital learning experience.
• Must have experience developing learner personas, content frameworks, and storyboards.
• Some experience in and knowledge of web, graphic design, and multimedia development (i.e. HTML, CSS, Adobe, Camtasia, Dreamweaver, etc.) would be considered an asset to the role.
• Experience in project management and the tools, approaches, and phases of the project lifecycle.

Knowledge and Skills

• Exceptional creativity and ability to design enriched, innovative online learning that utilizes a variety of modalities, technologies, and multimedia.
• Strong coaching and facilitation skills to work with academics, SMEs, and clients on the design and development of digital learning experiences.
• Ability to produce confident instructional design recommendations back to clients and partners is essential to this role.
• Keen eye for detail for editing, quality assurance, and user acceptance testing.
• Familiarity with copyright legislation and compliance.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to positively influence partners, build trust, and generate excitement.

About Us

The University of Alberta, its buildings, labs and research stations are primarily located on the territory of Néhiyaw (Cree), Niitsitapi (Blackfoot), Métis, Nakoda (Stoney), Dene, Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) and Anishinaabe (Ojibway/Saulteaux), lands that are now known as part of Treaties 6, 7 and 8 and homeland of the Métis. The University of Alberta respects the sovereignty, lands, histories, languages, knowledge systems and cultures of all First Nations, Métis, and Inuit.

The University of Alberta is a community of knowledge seekers, change makers and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to over 14,000 faculty and staff, more than 40,000 students and a growing community of 300,000 alumni worldwide.

Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross-section of people - from our students and community members, to our renowned researchers and innovators, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger and more just. Learn more.

At the University of Alberta, we are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible hiring process for all candidates. If you require accommodations to participate in the interview process, please let us know at the time of booking your interview and we will make every effort to accommodate your needs.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted.

All University employees have a responsibility to foster a workplace that prioritizes safety in all its forms—physical, cultural, and psychological. This is achieved by promoting a safe environment, adhering to all safety laws, policies and procedures, completing all required safety training, identifying hazards and implementing controls, reporting incidents, and contributing to a culture of belonging and respect, while endeavoring to ensure that all colleagues feel valued and safe to express their thoughts, perspectives and concerns.

The University of Alberta is committed to creating a university community where everyone feels valued, barriers to success are removed, and thriving connections are fostered. We welcome applications from all qualified persons. We encourage women, First Nations, Métis and Inuit persons, members of visible minority groups, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity and expression, and all those who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas and the University to apply.

L’Université de l’Alberta s’engage à créer une communauté universitaire où chaque personne se sent valorisée, où les obstacles à la réussite sont éliminés et où des connexions enrichissantes peuvent se développer. Nous accueillons les demandes de toutes les personnes qualifiées. Nous encourageons les femmes; Premières nations, Métis et Inuits; membres des groupes minoritaires visibles; personnes handicapées; personnes de toute orientation sexuelle ou identité et expression de genre; et toutes les personnes qui peuvent contribuer à la diversification des idées et à l'université à postuler.

About The Team

The Provost and Vice-President - Academic is the University of Alberta’s chief academic officer and a key leader in advancing the university’s educational mission. As a member of the executive team, the Provost works closely with the President and fellow vice‑presidents to ensure all institutional portfolios and priorities are aligned with the university’s vision and strategic goals.

The Provost is responsible for academic resource allocation and provides oversight of the infrastructure, services, and administrative units that support teaching, learning, and research excellence. This includes leadership of the university’s colleges and faculties, as well as several key portfolios: the Office of the Registrar, Vice-Provost (Access, Community + Belonging), Vice-Provost (Indigenous Programming and Research), Vice-Provost (Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies), Vice-Provost (Learning Initiatives), and the Centre for Teaching and Learning. The Provost also works in close partnership with the Deans' Council and supports institutional planning and academic policy development.

Through strategic direction and collaborative engagement, the Provost ensures that the University of Alberta maintains a dynamic, inclusive, and academically rigorous environment, positioning it as a leader in post‑secondary education in Canada and globally.