Instructional Designer (Full-Time, 12-Month, Exempt)

Southwestern University; Georgetown (TX); Hybrid; USD 61,200 - 74,800; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Tuition assistance

Access to athletic facilities

Job summary

An independent undergraduate institution in Georgetown, Texas, seeks an Instructional Designer to enhance course design and faculty development. The ideal candidate will have a Master's degree and substantial instructional design experience. Responsibilities include collaborating with faculty, conducting workshops, and ensuring course accessibility. The role emphasizes innovative teaching and a commitment to diverse learning environments and community values. A competitive salary of $68,000 and comprehensive benefits are provided.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3–5 years of experience in instructional design.
• Demonstrated expertise in instructional design frameworks.
• Experience designing courses for diverse learning modalities.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with faculty to design and develop courses.
• Develop and lead workshops on instructional design best practices.
• Support digital accessibility compliance in course design.

Skills

Strong project management

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Collaboration with faculty

Commitment to diversity and inclusion

Education

Master's degree in instructional design or related field

Tools

Learning Management Systems (Moodle, Canvas)

Educational technology tools (video creation, multimedia)

Job description

Instructional Designer (Full-Time, 12-Month, Exempt)

Join to apply for the Instructional Designer (Full-Time, 12-Month, Exempt) role at Southwestern University.

Located in Georgetown, Texas, Southwestern University is an independent, four‑year undergraduate institution that offers a top‑ranked integrated arts and sciences curriculum incorporating the humanities, fine arts, social sciences, and natural sciences. We are committed to fostering an environment where every individual feels respected, valued, and empowered.

Position Overview

Southwestern University has an immediate opening for an Instructional Designer. This full‑time exempt position reports to the Dean of the Faculty and plays a central role in supporting faculty in the design and delivery of high‑quality, inclusive, and effective teaching and learning. The incumbent supports the university’s commitment to innovative teaching within a liberal arts context. On‑campus presence is preferred, but a hybrid schedule is also acceptable.

Instructional Design and Course Development (60%)

• Collaborate with faculty to design and develop courses—primarily face‑to‑face, but also hybrid and online—grounded in evidence‑based teaching strategies, backward design, and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles.
• Provide one‑on‑one consultations on course design, inclusive pedagogy, learning objectives alignment, assessment strategies, and active learning techniques.
• Assist faculty in constructing learning experiences that include analysis of the audience, environment, objectives, content, and pedagogical approaches appropriate for undergraduate liberal arts education, advising on considerations for content design, readability, learner engagement, reflection opportunities, and alignment with course outcomes.
• Design effective and meaningful instruction based on specified pedagogical and conceptual frameworks, current trends in higher education, and diverse learning strategies, and support faculty in incorporating emerging pedagogical approaches—including generative AI tools—to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes.

Faculty Development and Training (30%)

• Develop and lead group workshops and training sessions on instructional design best practices, inclusive pedagogy, active learning strategies, and course alignment, and create and maintain comprehensive resources, guides, and toolkits on instructional design, pedagogical innovation, and effective teaching practices.
• Partner with departments and programs to build faculty capacity in evidence‑based teaching and course design, providing user‑level support and training for the Learning Management System (currently Moodle, with potential migration to Canvas) and other digital learning tools.
• Remain aware of emerging instructional design best practices and pedagogical innovations, and make recommendations to continue to offer the best learning experience possible.

Consultation and Strategic Support (10%)

• Collaborate with directors of academic programs to support program‑wide course development and curricular initiatives, and provide consultation on educational approaches and pedagogical tools to support student learning and faculty teaching excellence.
• Support digital accessibility compliance in course design and instructional materials.
• Recommend changes to existing courses, including pedagogical methods and instructional approaches, to ensure courses align with Southwestern's academic quality standards.

Additional Duties

• Maintain a Sponsored Programs website.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Dean of the Faculty.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master's degree in instructional design, educational technology, learning sciences, higher education, or a related field.
• Minimum of 3–5 years of experience in instructional design in a college or university setting.
• Experience designing courses for diverse learning modalities (face‑to‑face, hybrid, and online).
• Demonstrated expertise in instructional design frameworks (e.g., backward design, UDL, inclusive pedagogy).
• Strong project management, organizational, and problem‑solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to translate pedagogical concepts into practical, user‑friendly guidance for faculty.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with faculty across diverse disciplines in a liberal arts environment.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and continuous improvement in teaching and learning.

Preferred Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in instructional design and faculty development in higher education.
• Experience working in an undergraduate liberal arts institution.
• Familiarity with Learning Management Systems (Moodle, Canvas, Blackboard, or similar platforms) from a user‑support perspective.
• Proficiency in educational technology tools, including video creation, multimedia content development, and interactive learning applications.
• Experience supporting generative AI applications for teaching and learning.
• Knowledge of accessibility standards (WCAG, Section 508) and their application in course design.
• Experience facilitating workshops and providing group training for faculty.
• Background in curriculum development or assessment design.

Compensation and Benefits

Starting annual salary: $68,000. The final offer for the successful candidate will be commensurate with experience and may exceed the starting salary. Southwestern University offers a comprehensive benefits package including health and welfare insurance (medical, dental, and vision), life and AD&D insurance, long‑term disability coverage, generous 403(b) retirement contributions, an Employee Assistance Program, paid time‑off, tuition assistance for you and your dependents, access to athletic facilities, free parking, and discounted meal rates.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit a letter of interest, resume, and the names and contact information of three (3) professional references through Interfolio at https://apply.interfolio.com/178570. Email and paper applications will not be accepted.

All offers are contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

In compliance with immigration laws, proof of work authorization in the United States will be required when employment begins. Southwestern University is an E‑Verify employer.

Equal‑Opportunity Employer

Southwestern University is an equal‑opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable law. We do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us by email at [e-mail].

Jeanne Clery Statement: Notice of Availability of Annual Security and Fire Safety Report— Southwestern University Annual Security and Fire Report is available online at https://www.southwestern.edu/life-at-southwestern/safety-security/annual-securityreports/.