Instructional Designer

About Us:

Located in Georgetown, Texas, Southwestern University is an independent, four-year undergraduate institution offers a top-ranked integrated arts and sciences curriculum that incorporates the humanities, fine arts, social sciences, and natural sciences. At Southwestern University, we are committed to fostering an environment where every individual feels respected, valued, and empowered. We believe that a thriving community is built on the strength of varying perspectives and experiences, and we strive to create an atmosphere of mutual respect and understanding.

Our actions are guided by a commitment to fairness, openness, and the belief that our differences are what make us stronger as a whole.

Position Overview:

Southwestern University has an immediate opening for a Instructional Designer. This position will report to the Dean of the Faculty. The incumbent plays a central role in supporting faculty in the design and delivery of high-quality, inclusive, and effective teaching and learning. The position requires expertise in instructional design, inclusive pedagogy, evidence-based teaching strategies, and faculty development. Reporting to the Dean of the Faculty, this role is critical to advancing Southwestern's commitment to innovative teaching within a liberal arts context.

This is a full-time exempt position eligible for our comprehensive benefits program. On-campus presence is preferred, but we are willing to consider a hybrid schedule. Essential Duties:
* 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 individual 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.
* Advise on considerations for content design, including readability, potential for learner engagement, opportunities for reflection, and alignment with course outcomes and objectives.
* Design effective and meaningful instruction based on specified pedagogical and conceptual frameworks, current trends in higher education, and diverse learning strategies.
* 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.
  * Create and maintain comprehensive faculty development 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.
  * Provide 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, making 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.
  * 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 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,…