Assistant Director, Teaching and Learning

University of Chicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 68,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Chicago is seeking an Assistant Director of Teaching and Learning to join the Program Strategy and Innovation team in Chicago. This role oversees course production and delivery on Canvas, coordinates new programs, and customizes existing ones for online, hybrid, and in-person formats.

You will partner with learning designers, instructors, and partners to ensure accessible, high-quality courses, rigorous assessment, and continuous improvement across modalities.

Qualifications

Responsibilities

• Designs and develops engaging online, hybrid, and in-person learning experiences grounded in adult learning theory.
• Collaborates with faculty, instructors, and subject matter experts to design learning activities and assessments.
• Implements course revisions and continual improvements based on learner feedback and program goals.
• Conducts course evaluations and learner surveys to assess learner satisfaction and outcomes.
• Ensures materials meet accessibility standards (WCAG) and QA expectations.
• Manages lifecycle of certificate programs and courses in Canvas.
• Performs QA reviews in Canvas to ensure content accuracy and accessibility.
• Maintains standards, templates, and quality control checklists for delivery.
• Identifies opportunities to streamline workflows and improve production efficiency.
• Collaborates with cross-functional teams to align LMS functionality with needs.
• Evaluates new Canvas features and educational technologies for enhancements.
• Maintains documentation to support course production and maintenance.
• Analyzes trends and explores innovative approaches to teaching and learning.
• Converts existing content into an e-learning format and creates user support materials.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Skills

Canvas proficiency

Instructional design

Adult learning theory

Cross-functional collaboration

Project management

Education

Master's degree

Post-graduate education in learning design or instructional services

Tools

Canvas

Job description

About The Department

UCP Teaching & Learning

Innovative, career-driven learning experiences define University of Chicago Professional. In our commitment to spread the University's knowledge as broadly as possible, we offer impactful and flexible programs and courses that introduce individual and corporate audiences to up-to-the-minute research, the latest standards in their field, a new professional network, and the University of Chicago's rich intellectual community. Our instructors, seasoned professionals all, deliver unparalleled expertise drawn from years of industry experience. We give our students the tools to succeed in our fast-moving, interconnected world and achieve a competitive edge at any stage of their careers.

Job Summary

We are seeking an Assistant Director of Teaching and Learning to join our Program Strategy and Innovation team. Responsibilities will include overseeing course production and delivery operations on the learning management system (LMS), Canvas; executing new programs; and customizing existing ones for different formats. This role will also involve collaborating with learning designers, instructors, and partners to design engaging in-person and hybrid courses guided by adult learning principles.

Reporting to the Director of Teaching and Learning, the Assistant Director will ensure that learning content is accurately configured, tracked, and continuously improved on Canvas. They will also work closely with partners to ensure that the LMS runs smoothly and provides a seamless user experience from course access to completion. This position requires a passion for learning design for professional, adult audiences. The ideal candidate will be able to think creatively about course delivery across a variety of modalities, audiences, and formats, and bring an energetic, solution-focused mindset to the team.

Responsibilities

• Designs and develops engaging online, hybrid, and in-person learning experiences grounded in adult learning theory, instructional design best practices, and accessibility standards.
• Partners with faculty, instructors, and subject matter experts to design innovative learning activities, assessments, and instructional materials that support defined learning outcomes for online, hybrid, and in-person learning experiences.
• Consults with instructors and program teams to implement course revisions and continuous improvements based on learner feedback and program goals.
• Designs, administers, and analyzes course evaluations and learner surveys to assess learner satisfaction and provides recommendations that enhance course design, delivery, and learner outcomes.
• Ensures course materials meet accessibility standards, such as WCAG, institutional guidelines, and quality assurance expectations.
• Coordinates the planning, publishing, maintenance, and lifecycle of certificate programs and courses in Canvas and resolve delivery issues prior to course releases.
• Conducts quality assurance (QA) reviews in Canvas to ensure course content is accurate, functional, accessible, and aligned with established quality standards.
• Develops, documents, and maintains standards, policies, procedures, templates and quality control checklists that support consistent, high-quality course delivery.
• Identifies opportunities to streamline workflows, improve production processes, and increase operational efficiency across course development and delivery.
• Collaborates with cross-functional teams to align LMS functionality with evolving instructional, operational, and learner experience needs.
• Evaluates new Canvas features, integrations, and educational technologies, recommending enhancements that improve instructional quality, learner engagement, and operational effectiveness.
• Maintains accurate documentation and tracking systems to support course production, revisions, and ongoing program maintenance.
• Monitors and analyzes trends, identifies opportunities, and explores innovative approaches to teaching and learning problems. Works with other units across campus to aggregate services in an academic context.
• Identifies existing content and converts it into an e-learning environment, then creates user support materials.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

Education

Minimum qualifications include a college or university degree in related field.

• Master's degree.
• Post-graduate education in learning design or instructional services.

Experience

• Background in creating learning materials and/or teaching in higher education institutions.
• At least three years of related work experience in learning design and delivery.
• At least three years of related work experience in a relevant setting for a company, university, or a complex organization.
• Highly skilled project manager comfortable with multitasking and multiple deadlines.

Technical Skills Or Knowledge

• High levels of proficiency with learning technology tools such as Canvas.
• Solid digital communications skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365.
• Skilled in conducting quality assurance testing.
• Understanding of reporting and analytics for eLearning activities.

Preferred Competencies

• Pursue program excellence and optimization.
• Excellent organizational skills and a keen attention to detail.
• Maintain an optimistic outlook and creatively marshal resources to achieve results amidst challenging circumstances.
• Strong interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence.
• Work both independently and collaboratively, with flexibility and adaptability.
• Creative, solutions-focused person who demonstrates initiative by suggesting different approaches, ideas, and options
• Balance multiple competing priorities without disruption of efficiency.
• Comfortable with ambiguity and working in situations when all the answers aren’t clear.
• Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting skills.
• Interpret data and generate actionable insights.
• Organized, detail-oriented, and responsive to learner and team needs.
• Strong communication skills.

Working Conditions

• Produce work outside of standard business hours, on occasional evenings and weekends.

Application Documents

• Résumé/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (preferred)
• References Contact Information (3) (preferred)

The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.

Job Family

Information Technology

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

FLSA Status

Exempt

Pay Range

$68,000.00 - $80,000.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.