Instructional Designer, Academic Technology Support Services

University of Minnesota; Minneapolis (MN); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

10% retirement contribution

22 vacation days

Tuition benefits 75–100%

Comprehensive health care

Disability insurance

Job summary

The University of Minnesota's Office of Information Technology invites an Instructional Designer to join the Academic Technology Support Services team. You will design scalable digital learning resources, consult with faculty, and manage instructional design projects across campuses.

A passion for educational technology and strong collaboration skills are essential. The role requires in-person travel to the Twin Cities campus and occasional travel to other UMN campuses; hybrid work is available

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and two years of experience in instructional design, or a master’s degree in instructional design or closely-related field.
• Experience with adult learning principles and instructional design methodologies (ADDIE, SAM, etc.).
• Demonstrated ability to productively apply AI to instructional design work, including assessment design and training instructors in pedagogically-appropriate uses of AI.
• Knowledge of current digital accessibility standards (higher education standards preferred).
• Experience creating learning content optimized for an LMS.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams to resolve challenges or launch new services.
• Experience eliciting and documenting academic or pedagogical requirements for projects.

Responsibilities

• Participate in development of teaching and learning initiatives affecting several programs or campuses.
• Create and deliver instructional development sessions for diverse audiences.
• Write and share documentation on best practices for digital learning tools at the University.
• Regularly learn new applications and train others on emerging technologies.
• Collaborate to design, implement, and review online learning in various formats.
• Actively manage instructional design projects and coordinate multiple instructors and staff.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to improve services provided by Academic Technology.

Skills

Instructional design

Project management

Communication

AI in ID

LMS knowledge

Accessibility standards

Cross-functional teamwork

Audience analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's in instructional design

Job description

About the Job

The University of Minnesota’s Office of Information Technology(OIT) is seeking an Instructional Designer to join our AcademicTechnology division. The Academic Technology Support Services(ATSS) team provides a variety of services that advance theteaching and learning, research, and outreach missions of theUniversity through the thoughtful application of technology.Instructional designers on this team develop innovative, scalable,and sustainable learning solutions for the teaching and learningapplications that are in broad adoption at the University ofMinnesota. They actively collaborate with a wide variety ofacademic and administrative units to support the successfulimplementation and delivery of digital course content at aninstitutional scale. Primary responsibilities of this role mayinclude technology assessment and pedagogical evaluation, designingdigital learning resources, consulting with faculty members andacademic leaders, delivering training, managing projects, andparticipating in university-level committees and governance.

The University of Minnesota is committed to fostering local talentthrough employment opportunities. While this position utilizes ahybrid work modality, prospective applicants must be located eitherin the state of Minnesota or near the Wisconsin border OR otherwiseopen to relocation. Regular travel to the Twin Cities campus isrequired for this position. Occasional travel to other Universityof Minnesota campuses is also required.

A successful candidate will have a passion for educationaltechnology, previous experience in an instructional designer role,a demonstrable grasp of project management strategies, strongcommunication and collaborative skills, a broad understanding ofthe modern IT environment, and a commitment to the mission of theUniversity.

Please note, this position is not eligible for H-1B or Green Cardsponsorship. This position does not offer a STEM OPT trainingprogram.

We Offer

• University paid contribution (10% of your salary) to yourretirement account - vested immediately.


• 22 paid vacation days per year, in addition to sick leave and11 paid holidays.


• Reduced tuition opportunities covering 75% - 100% of eligibletuition.


• Quality health care benefits, including a wellness program withthe opportunity to earn lower health care rates.


• Free disability insurance.

Responsibilities:

• Participate in the development of teaching and learninginitiatives affecting several academic programs, an entire college,or campus. (20%)


• Create and deliver instructional development sessions for awide variety of audiences, including the design of appropriatecurricula. (15%)


• Write and share documentation and information on best practicesfor digital learning tools in use at the University. (15%)


• Regularly learn new applications, technologies and skillsthrough hands-on experimentation, apply them to instructors’learning goals, and train others on these emerging technologies asappropriate. (20%)


• Collaborate with colleges, departments, and instructors todesign, implement, and review online learning in a variety offormats (online courses, hybrid courses, open content courses,continuing education modules, etc.). (10%)


• Actively manage instructional design projects, includingcoordinating the activities of multiple instructors and staff toensure that project tasks and deliverables meet both identifiedtimelines and quality standards. (10%)


• Collaborate with teammates in Academic Technology andstakeholders across the institution to continuously improve theservices provided by the team to the University community.(10%)

Qualifications

Required Qualifications: (Please document on resume)

• Bachelor’s degree and two years of experience in instructionaldesign, or a master’s degree in instructional design orclosely-related field.


• Experience with adult learning principles and instructionaldesign methodologies (such as ADDIE, SAM, etc.).


• Demonstrated ability to productively and thoughtfully applyartificial intelligence to instructional design work, including inassessment design, and to train instructors inpedagogically-appropriate uses of or responses to AI.


• Knowledge of current digital accessibility standards (highereducation standards preferred).


• Experience creating learning or instructional content optimizedfor a learning management system (LMS).


• Experience actively participating in or leadingcross-functional teams to resolve complex challenges or launch newservices.


• Experience eliciting and documenting academic or pedagogicalrequirements for an instructional design project, using techniquesappropriate to the audience and environment.


• Demonstrated ability to interact effectively with instructorswith a wide range of knowledge and comfort levels withtechnology.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in instructional design at scale, partnering withstakeholders to develop not only individual courses but entireprograms or curricula.


• Demonstrated ability to independently manage multiple workassignments. Ability to create work breakdown structure, establishtimelines, and achieve desired outcomes.


• Experience supporting instructor use of alternative assessmentpractices.


• Experience supporting instructor use of online exam proctoringand academic integrity solutions.


• Demonstrated success as a team member in a complex environment,with the ability to lead in place.


• Demonstrated ability to manage relationships with a large anddiverse group of influential stakeholders and to identify strategicneeds.

About the Department

The Academic Technology Support Services (ATSS) team provides avariety of services that advance the teaching and learning,research, and outreach missions of the University through thethoughtful application of technology.

The Office of Information Technology (OIT) is the University'scentral IT unit and provides enterprise-level technologies andservices that are broadly consumed, core to central administrativebusiness operations, and tend to offer substantial economiesofscale. We are part of a larger ecosystem of IT professionals whowork in academic and support units systemwide. Local or collegiateIT units often offer discipline-specific, niche, and complementaryservices to the OIT central services.

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range : $70,000 - $80,000; depending oneducation/qualifications/experience
Time Appointment: 100% A ppointment
Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for moreinformation regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package thatincludes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off


• Continuous learning opportunities through professional trainingand degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program


• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans


• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts


• University HSA contributions


• Disability and employer-paid life insurance


• Employee wellbeing program


• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution


• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)opportunity


• Financial counseling services


• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counselingat no cost


• Employee TransitPass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important tonote that most of the time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. Thisapproach ensures that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions ofeach candidate while maintaining equity within our organization. As part of ourcommitment to fair and equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered toincoming candidates will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversityand inclusion in enriching the employment experience of itsemployees and in supporting the academic mission. The University iscommitted to attracting and retaining employees with varyingidentities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to andopportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment withoutregard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender,age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteranstatus, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successfulcompletion of a background check. Our presumption is thatprospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminalconvictions do not automatically disqualify finalists fromemployment.

About University of Minnesota

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among thelargest public research universities in the country, offeringundergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude ofopportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of oneof the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities,students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit fromextensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers,international corporations, government agencies, and arts,nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized byForbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023, 2025, 2026), and Best Employer by State(2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence &Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-lifeflexibility.