Instructional Designer - 6754

Cambridge University Press; Cape Town; Hybrid; ZAR 200 000 - 300 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading academic publisher in Cape Town is seeking an experienced Instructional Designer to create engaging online learning experiences. You will collaborate closely with academics and creative teams, innovate using new technologies, and align online courses with educational goals. Familiarity with instructional design and course authoring tools is essential. This full-time role offers a hybrid working model, along with a competitive salary and generous benefits package including annual leave and medical aid contributions.

Benefits

24 days of annual leave

Medical aid contribution

Group pension scheme contribution

Discretionary annual bonuses

Death and disability insurance

Qualifications

• Deep understanding of instructional design principles and adult learning theory.
• Familiarity with Virtual Learning Environments (VLE) and course authoring tools.
• Experience working with subject matter experts in academia.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with academics and Learning Designers to develop course materials.
• Partner with teams to develop media and visual assets.
• Build relationships with stakeholders to ensure high-quality learning products.
• Support course design processes by updating templates and iterating on designs.
• Work with Course Operations team to prepare and support course delivery.

Skills

Instructional design principles

Adult learning theory

Course authoring tools

Virtual Learning Environments (VLE)

Project management

Job description

Job Title: Instructional Designer

Salary: ,******* ZAR

Location: Cape Town, South Africa/Hybrid (expectation *****% of working hours spent in the office)

Contract: Full time/Permanent (37.5 hours per week)

We are Cambridge University Press & Assessment, a world‑leading academic publisher and assessment organisation and a proud part of the University of Cambridge.

As an Instructional Designer at Cambridge Online Education (COE), you will be instrumental in creating engaging online learning experiences through close collaboration with top academics and creative teams.

This role offers the exciting opportunity to innovate with new technologies and the latest pedagogy research to deliver exceptional learning outcomes.

About the role

Working alongside University of Cambridge academics, Learning Designers and Digital Content and Media teams, your primary goal will be to develop inspiring and empowering online learning experiences that align COE's commitment to provide academically rigorous and engaging education.

This role is integral to our mission of fostering an inclusive and empowering learning environment, ensuring that our courses remain at the forefront of educational technology and pedagogical practice.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with academics, Learning Designers, and Senior Learning Designers to execute course learning maps and develop storyboards based on content from SMEs, ensuring alignment with learning outcomes and COE principles.
• Partner with Digital Content and Media teams to develop media and visual assets, edit and check permissions, and build courses on the chosen platform(s).
• Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to ensure the delivery of high‑quality learning products and achieve course objectives.
• Support and improve the course design process by ensuring templates and methodologies are up to date, and iterate on designs based on feedback from learners, academics, and the team.
• Work together with the Course Operations team to prepare tutor resources and provide hands‑on support as needed for course delivery.

About you

As our new Instructional Designer, you will need a deep understanding of instructional design principles, adult learning theory, and best practices.

Familiarity with Virtual Learning Environments (VLE) and course authoring tools is essential.

With experience working with subject matter experts, ideally in academia, you will have the ability to present complex ideas coherently and impactfully.

You’ll need to be comfortable managing multiple projects and deadlines, and work both independently and collaboratively while maintaining professional relationships.

You’ll also need a commitment to continuous improvement and innovation that motivates you to create accessible and engaging online learning experiences that inspire and empower learners.

If you would like to know more about this opportunity and what will make you successful, please see the full job description attached to the bottom of this vacancy on our careers site.

Rewards and benefits

We will support you to be at your best in work and to live well outside of it.

In addition to competitive salaries, we offer a world‑class, flexible rewards package, featuring family‑friendly and planet‑friendly benefits including:

• 24 days of annual leave (excluding public holidays)
• Medical aid contribution
• Group pension scheme contribution
• Discretionary annual bonuses
• Death and disability insurance

We are a hybrid working organisation, and we offer a range of flexible working options from day one.

Ready to pursue your potential?

Apply now.

With your application, please provide a link to your portfolio on your covering letter, or an example of your work that you feel best shows your skill as an Instructional Designer.

If you are invited to interview, we will ask you about the approach you took in designing this piece of work and your role in its creation.

We review applications on an ongoing basis, with a closing date for all applications being 11th January **** although we may close it earlier if suitable candidates are identified.

Screening calls for this position are planned to take place week commencing 19th January **** and formal interviews are scheduled to take place week commencing 2nd February ****.

Please note that successful applicants will be subject to satisfactory background checks due to working in a regulated industry.

Why join us

Joining us is your opportunity to pursue potential.

You’ll belong to a collaborative team that's exploring new and better ways to serve students, teachers and researchers across the globe – for the benefit of individuals, society and the world.

Sharing our mission will inspire your own growth, development and progress, in an environment which embraces difference, change and aspiration.

Preference will be given to suitable candidates who add to the cultural and demographic diversity of the organisation.

People from all backgrounds and communities are encouraged to apply.

Please note that successful applicants will be subject to satisfactory background checks including DBS due to working in a regulated industry.