Senior Educational Developer - #002035

Western Carolina University; Cullowhee (NC); On-site; USD 50,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

An established educational institution is seeking a dedicated professional to lead programming and services at their Cullowhee campus. This role requires extensive experience in higher education teaching and instructional design, along with strong project management skills. The successful candidate will mentor team members, conduct research, and actively participate in strategic planning. The university offers a supportive environment with numerous benefits, including health insurance, tuition waivers, and professional development opportunities. If you are passionate about enhancing educational practices and fostering a collaborative atmosphere, this position is perfect for you.

Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Tuition Waivers

Paid Parental Leave

Flexible Spending Accounts

Paid Holidays

Professional Development Opportunities

Discounted Recreation Membership

Free Group Exercise Classes

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in instructional design and teaching in higher education.
• Strong project management skills to lead educational initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Lead programming and events as assigned by the director.
• Conduct research in instructional design and present at conferences.

Skills

Instructional Design

Teaching in Higher Education

Project Management

Event Planning

Collaboration

Education

Master's Degree

Doctorate or Terminal Degree

Tools

Educational Technologies

Job description

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

To be considered, you must apply online.

Please include a cover letter detailing your suitability for the position, curriculum vitae, a list of 3 references (include complete contact information), a statement of philosophy of teaching or faculty/educational development, and unofficial copy of transcripts.

For questions or additional information, please contact Scott Seagle at [e-mail]

Anticipated Hiring Range Based on qualifications/experience, internal equity, and departmental budget restrictions.

About WCU

Western Carolina University continues to rank high on Forbes ‘Best Employers’ lists each year. Including:
• 2024 – Ranking in the top 8.5% on Forbes ‘America’s Best Midsize Employers’ list, WCU was ranked 34 out of the top 400 employers across all industries.
• 2023 – Ranked in the top 20% on Forbes ‘America’s Best Midsize Employers’ list, WCU was ranked 97 out of the top 500 employers across all industries.
• 2022 – Ranked 14th in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes ‘America’s Best Employers by State’ list.
Western Carolina University is the UNC system’s westernmost campus and has been consistently ranked as one of the top 15 public regional institutions in the South.
Employees of WCU are provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other resources, policies and programs to ensure a happy and healthy work/life balance. Benefit eligible employees have access to dental, vision and health insurance plans – eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire. Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan. Optional disability plans are also available.
Eligible employees have access to tuition waivers for up to three courses per academic year; employee may enroll at any of the constituent UNC System campuses. Also offered are free group exercise classes multiple times per week, a discounted membership to the campus recreation center, free vaccine and booster shots offered on campus, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays and 24 hours of paid community service leave each year. Leave earning employees (staff and 12-month faculty) who work at least half of the working days of their first month of employment will begin accruing vacation and sick leave immediately. Paid parental leave after 12 months of continuous service.
WCU offers an abundance of training and development programs, certifications, workshops and conferences – many of which are offered free of charge.

Position Summary

The primary location of this position is the Cullowhee, NC campus.

This position participates and leads the programming, events, and services as assigned by the director, partnering with the others on the team. The employee will have extensive experience teaching in higher education with a record of improvement through professional development. They will also have extensive experience in course design in all modalities. This position uses project management for the signature events assigned to them as lead, mentors the other two educational developers, participates in the monthly budget review meetings, and runs the team meetings in the director’s absence.

This position conducts research in instructional design and methods and/or teaching and learning and is expected to present at disciplinary conferences and stay up to date on evidenced-based methods and best practices. Helps drive the strategic plan and annual goals and data reporting.

Minimum Qualifications

• Candidates must be legally eligible to work in the United States of America without the need for employment sponsorship or any other immigration-related assistance.
• Master’s degree from an accredited institution.
• Coursework and/or experience preferred with instructional design and delivery, assessment, pedagogical use of technology, best practices in teaching and learning, and event planning.
• Significant experience teaching in higher education. Previous full-time work in faculty development. Working in a team environment is essential.

Preferred Qualifications

• Doctorate or terminal degree from an accredited institution.
• Advanced knowledge, skills, and abilities in instructional design and delivery, assessment.
• Thorough knowledge of effective pedagogies to enhance significant student learning in face-to-face, hybrid, and fully online modalities.
• Demonstrated use of educational technologies to assist faculty in achieving their pedagogical goals in innovative ways.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with team members, faculty, staff, and administrators to achieve institutional goals.
• Proven track record of successful team management.
• Enthusiasm for collaborating with co-workers and faculty to explore and realize the possibilities of the Boyer model.
• Strong, demonstrated skills in the following areas: consultation, communication, project management, constructive engagement with diverse groups.

Position Type

Position Type Permanent Full-Time

Number of Hours Per Week

Number of Hours Per Week 40

Number of Months Per Year

Number of Months Per Year 12

Posting Text

Open Date

Open Date 05/08/2025

Close Date

Open Until Filled Yes

Special Instructions to Applicants

To be considered, you must apply online.

Please include a cover letter detailing your suitability for the position, curriculum vitae, a list of 3 references (include complete contact information), a statement of philosophy of teaching or faculty/educational development, and unofficial copy of transcripts.

For questions or additional information, please contact Scott Seagle at [e-mail]

Background/E-Verify

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks.

Western Carolina University uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify . Proper documentation of identity and employability are required at the time of employment.

All new employees are required to have listed credentials/degrees verified within 30 days of employment. All new employees who will be teaching are required to provide official transcripts within 30 days of employment. Transcripts should be provided for the highest earned degree and/or the degree which is being used to satisfy credential/qualification requirements.

EOE

Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; ethnicity; religion; sex; pregnancy; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; national origin; age; disability; genetic information; political affiliation; National Guard or veteran status, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and policies, and the policies of The University of North Carolina. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please call [phone] or email at [e-mail].

University Safety

The Western Carolina University Annual Safety Report is available online at University Annual Safety Report or in hard-copy by request at the office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, 227 HFR Administration Building, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7147) or the Office of University Police, 111 Camp Annex, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7301). The report, required of all universities participating in Title IV student financial aid programs, discusses crime statistics, procedures for reporting suspicious or criminal activity, security, police authority, crime prevention strategies, university policies on substance abuse and sexual offenses, workplace violence and fire safety.

Required Documents

Cover Letter/Letter of Application

Curriculum Vitae

Teaching Philosophy

Unofficial Transcripts

List of references

Optional Documents

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).