Learning Designer

University of Maine; Portland (ME); Hybrid; USD 56,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life and disability coverage

Tuition benefits

403(b) employer contribution

Job summary

The University of Southern Maine (USM) is seeking a collaborative, innovative Learning Designer to join the Center for Academic Innovation (CAI). This role partners with faculty to design engaging, accessible learning experiences across online, blended, and in-person environments.

The position leads digital accessibility initiatives, supports Title II compliance, and helps advance inclusive instructional practices.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in education, instructional design, learning science, or related field.
• Experience designing online and blended courses in higher education.
• Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong project management abilities.
• Knowledge of accessibility standards and best practices.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with faculty to design and improve courses across modalities.
• Consult on instructional strategies, course redesign, and innovative teaching practices.
• Apply instructional design best practices to online and blended course development.
• Promote accessible instructional materials and digital learning environments.
• Support teaching excellence with research-based practices.

Skills

Instructional design

Learning theory

Course development

Digital accessibility

Communication

Collaboration

Project management

Education

Master's degree in education or related field

Tools

Learning management systems

Job description

The University of Southern Maine (USM) is seeking a collaborative, innovative, and student-centered Learning Designerto join the Center for Academic Innovation (CAI). This position partners closely with faculty and academic departments to design engaging, accessible, and high-quality learning experiences across online, blended, and face-to-face instructional environments.

In addition to supporting course design and faculty development, this position plays a key leadership role in advancing the University’s digital accessibility initiatives and supporting institutional compliance with Title II digital accessibility requirements.

If you are passionate about instructional design, educational technology, faculty collaboration, and creating inclusive learning environments, we encourage you to apply.

About the Center for Academic Innovation

The Center for Academic Innovation partners with faculty and academic units to enhance teaching excellence through innovative instructional design, educational technologies, faculty development, and student-centered learning practices. The Center supports high-quality teaching across all instructional modalities while fostering creativity, accessibility, and continuous improvement.

What You’ll Do:

Instructional Design & Faculty Partnership

• Collaborate with faculty and academic stakeholders to design, develop, and improve high-quality courses and academic programs.
• Consult with faculty on instructional strategies, course redesign, and innovative teaching practices.
• Apply instructional design best practices and quality standards to online and blended course development.
• Recommend improvements to existing courses to enhance student engagement, learning outcomes, and accessibility.
• Integrate research-based instructional practices and open educational resources into course design.
• Partner with University Libraries and other campus partners to support teaching excellence.

Digital Accessibility Leadership

• Lead faculty-facing efforts supporting the University’s Title II digital accessibility compliance initiatives.
• Develop and deliver training and resources that promote accessible instructional materials and digital learning environments.
• Collaborate with campus partners to identify accessibility needs and implement effective solutions.
• Monitor progress toward institutional accessibility goals and communicate updates to the University community.
• Serve on University and University of Maine System accessibility committees and working groups.

Educational Technology Support

• Provide Tier II support for instructional technologies and learning management systems.
• Troubleshoot instructional technology issues and respond to faculty support requests.
• Develop documentation, tutorials, and training materials for educational technologies.
• Stay current with emerging trends in learning science, instructional design, and educational technology.

Faculty Development

• Design and facilitate workshops, training sessions, and professional development opportunities for faculty.
• Create instructional resources that support effective teaching across all course delivery formats.
• Partner with campus stakeholders to promote continuous faculty development and instructional excellence.

What We’re Looking For

Successful candidates will demonstrate:

• Expertise in instructional design principles, learning theory, and course development.
• Knowledge of current educational technologies and online learning environments.
• Strong understanding of digital accessibility standards and best practices.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and project management skills.
• Creative problem-solving abilities and a commitment to continuous improvement.
• Experience working collaboratively with faculty and diverse campus stakeholders

Pay and Benefits

This is an in-person, full-time position based on our Portland Campus. This position offers an annual salary of $62,000.00, along with a comprehensive benefits package, including generous paid time off (13 holidays, vacation, and sick leave), health, dental, and vision insurance, life and disability coverage, tuition benefits for employees and eligible dependents, and a 403(b) retirement plan with 10% employer contribution. See the Benefits Information Summary for details.

Work Schedule and Location

This is a hybrid, full-time (40 hours/week), 12-month position. The position allows for up to 80% remote work, with a minimum of one day per week in-person on our Portland campus.

About the University of Southern Maine

The University of Southern Maine is a vibrant academic community located in the greater Portland, Maine area, including campuses in Portland, Gorham, Lewiston, and online. USM is part of the University of Maine System and offers a comprehensive array of undergraduate and graduate programs, emphasizing hands-on learning, community engagement, and interdisciplinary collaboration. With a highly engaged student-centered learning environment, USM is a steward of higher education, helping drive the economic, cultural, and civic life in the communities where our campuses are located and beyond. USM is committed to providing expanded access to high-quality education that elevates economic opportunity and contributes significantly to the vitality of a diverse society. To learn more about USM, visit About Our University.

The University of Southern Maine fosters a welcoming and supportive campus environment that respects and appreciates varied perspectives, enhancing teaching, learning, personal growth, and overall institutional achievement. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds who share our dedication to academic excellence and the enrichment of our community.

We are dedicated to our Service Promise,Student Focused Every Dayand seek a team member who embraces this commitment and upholds our core values of Respect & Care, Integrity, Equity, and Responsiveness.

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree, preferably in education, instructional design, learning science, or a related field.
• Experience designing online and blended courses in a higher education context.
• Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communications skills.
• Project management skills.

For full consideration please submit all required materials by September 14, 2026.

We are not able to consider applicants who require Visa sponsorship support.

Appropriate background screening will be conducted for the successful candidate.

The University of Maine System (the System) is an equal opportunity institution committed to fostering a nondiscriminatory environment and complying with all applicable nondiscrimination laws. Consistent with State and Federal law, the System does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability (physical or mental), genetic information, pregnancy, or veteran or military status in any aspect of its education, programs and activities, and employment. The System provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. If you believe you have experienced discrimination or harassment, you are encouraged to contact the System Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Services at 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, Orono, ME 04469-5713, by calling 207.581.1226, or via TTY at 711 (Maine Relay System). For more information about Title IX or to file a complaint, please contact the UMS Title IX Coordinator.

Clery Act:

The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, or Clery Act, mandates that all Title IV institutions, such as the University, prepare, publish, and distribute an Annual Security Report (ASR), and provide notice of the availability of the ASR to all prospective employees. This report consists of two basic parts: disclosure of the University’s crime statistics for the past three calendar years; and disclosures regarding the University’s current campus security policies. View the University’s Annual Security Report (PDF). If you wish to have a paper copy of the ASR or need to have a copy of the ASR in an accessible format, the University willprovide such a copy upon request. Please contact our Public Safety Office at 207.780.5211.