Instructional Designer

Everspring; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Paid parental leave

Medical, dental and vision insurance

401k with employer match

Generous PTO

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Everspring, a leading education technology and services provider, seeks an Instructional Designer to translate university courses into innovative online formats. The role is based in Chicago with a hybrid schedule requiring in-office presence three days a week and additional days as needed.

The ideal candidate has 2–4 years in instructional design, a Master’s in a relevant field, and experience using AI tools responsibly to support course design while upholding partner standards and quality.

Qualifications

• 2–4 years of outstanding work experience in instructional design, learning design, or academic technology.
• Earned Master's degree firmly required, preferably in instructional design, curriculum and instruction, educational technology, or human-computer interaction.
• Demonstrated ability to use AI-enabled tools responsibly to support instructional design workflows and protect sensitive information.

Responsibilities

• Use AI tools to streamline course design and production tasks and refine deliverables to meet accessibility and quality specs.
• Design and build courses that align to university partner standards and accessibility requirements.
• Manage concurrent projects with deadlines and stakeholder communication.
• Guide faculty in best practices for course development and ensure on-time completion per production schedule.
• Collaborate with faculty to adapt content for delivery methods and high student engagement.

Skills

Instructional design

Communication

Project management

AI tools usage

Collaboration

Education

Master's degree in instructional design or related

Tools

Canvas

D2L

Blackboard

Job description

Instructional Designer

Everspring is a leading provider of education technology and service solutions. Our advanced technology, proven marketing approach, research-based instructional design services, and robust faculty support deliver outstanding outcomes for our university partners, powering their success online.

Made up of production, instructional design and quality assurance, the Learning Design team inspires, engages and empowers each other to create the next generation of learning. This collaborative team works to translate traditional courseware into online formats in innovative and compelling ways to create innovative online courses for our university partners.

The Instructional Designer I works within a multi-disciplinary course production team to translate university courses into online formats in innovative and compelling ways.

This role reports to the Director of Learning Design and is located in Chicago, offering a hybrid work environment with a minimum of 3 days required in the office every week and additional days as business needs arise.

The ideal candidate:

• Brings curiosity and sound judgment in using AI tools to support instructional design work (e.g., brainstorming learning activities, drafting course elements), while ensuring outputs meet partner standards and quality expectations.
• Is motivated by a passion to create outstanding learning experiences
• Has a demonstrated track record creating engaging, effective online programs, courseware or products
• Is an excellent and patient communicator, comfortable communicating with university professors, curriculum developers, and academic technologists
• Has experience and is comfortable working with a wide range of academic content
• Is a natural collaborator, but is capable and comfortable moving projects forward and driving results with empathy for the needs of multiple stakeholders
• Displays the highest levels of integrity
• Operates with a strong work ethic, requiring minimal supervision
• Interacts with others using sound judgment, good humor, and consistent fairness in a fast-paced environment
• Wants to build and be part of a great team, doing meaningful work
• Has a curious and creative mindset – enjoys change!

Responsibilities:

• Use AI tools, when appropriate, to streamline course design and production tasks (e.g., generating first-draft outlines, prompts, rubrics, and revision options) and then refine and validate deliverables to meet Learning Design accessibility and quality specifications.
• Design and build assigned courses, creating innovative online courses that meet Learning Design's accessibility and quality specifications and align to the standards and parameters established with our university partners
• Manage concurrent projects effectively, demonstrating understanding of and attention to deadlines, priorities, and communication with relevant stakeholders
• Communicate with faculty at our partner universities, guiding them in best practices for course development, honoring their subject matter expertise and preferences, and ensuring on time completion of the course according to the production schedule
• Collaborate with faculty to adjust content for available delivery methods to support desired learning outcomes and high levels of student engagement, moving from a high-level course plan to a detailed course design format
• Collaborate with the Creative Services team to produce and/or source high quality multimedia that aligns with the objectives of the course
• Participate in the refinement of frameworks, templates, and prototypes for course design
• Participate in the creation of Instructional Design team development materials, such as training, pedagogy, academic technology, multimedia production, accessibility, research, etc.
• Perform standard course maintenance tasks on a term-to-term basis, following established processes and completing requisite documentation.
• Support faculty in course revisions using a continual improvement process.
• Provide ongoing faculty support through the faculty help desk during the workday, in addition to occasional evening and weekend hours.
• Contribute to an environment that values continuous improvement, curiosity, and learning by doing.
• Travel to partner university locations occasionally. upon supervisor's request
• Perform other duties, as assigned

Requirements

• 2-4 years' outstanding work experience in instructional design, learning design, or academic technology
• Earned Master's degree firmly required, preferably in instructional design, curriculum and instruction, educational technology, or human-computer interaction
• Demonstrated ability to use AI-enabled tools responsibly to support instructional design workflows, including protecting sensitive information, verifying accuracy, and producing polished deliverables aligned to established course standards.
• Demonstrated expertise in course design principles and practices
• Experience designing courses using varied delivery models and the full range of multi-media content delivery tools and techniques
• Superior ability with computers and software required; LMS experience preferred (Canvas, D2L, Blackboard)
• Outstanding oral and written communication skills
• Demonstrated meticulous attention to detail
• Demonstrated ability to hit challenging deadlines while creating high quality work
• Has experience leading people and/or processes to successful results

About Everspring

Everspring is a leading provider of education technology and service solutions. Our advanced technology, proven marketing approach, research-based instructional design services, and robust faculty support deliver outstanding outcomes for our university partners, powering their success online. Everspring offers a range of full-service turnkey solutions, as well as standalone single service offerings, and innovative self-service products that enable universities to establish and maintain themselves as leaders in the digital delivery of education.

Based in Chicago, Everspring serves a growing number of colleges and universities. Built In Chicago has named us one of the "Best Places to Work" in 2021, 2022, 2023, 2025 and 2026. We were also certified as a Great Place To Work in 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025.

Compensation offered at Everspring will be determined by factors such as location, level, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

Position Location: Illinois

The base salary hiring range for this position is: $70,000 to $75,000.

We offer benefits that include hybrid work arrangement, paid parental leave, medical, dental and vision insurance, FSA, HSA, employer-paid short-term and optional long-term disability, 401k with an employer match vested immediately, a generous PTO plan that accrues with tenure, professional development, tuition reimbursement program, discounted onsite gym, optional pet insurance and more!