Fast Facts

WGU is seeking a passionate Instructional Designer to manage course development and evaluate curricular materials for online programs, ensuring alignment with academic standards and quality practices.

Responsibilities: Key responsibilities include managing course development, ensuring academic standards meet WGU’s vision, collaborating with stakeholders, and conducting quality assurance reviews.

Skills: Candidates must possess a thorough understanding of curriculum development, instructional design, project management, and advanced technical writing skills.

Qualifications: Preferred qualifications include a Master’s degree in instructional design or a related field, plus teaching experience and expertise in AI prompt engineering.

Location: This job is based in Salt Lake City, UT, requiring a hybrid work schedule with 4 days in-office and 1 day remote.

Compensation: $71300 - $107000 / Annually

If you’re passionate about building a better future for individuals, communities, and our country—and you’re committed to working hard to play your part in building that future—consider WGU as the next step in your career.

Driven by a mission to expand access to higher education through online, competency-based degree programs, WGU is also committed to being a great place to work for a diverse workforce of student-focused professionals. The university has pioneered a new way to learn in the 21st century, one that has received praise from academic, industry, government, and media leaders. Whatever your role, working for WGU gives you a part to play in helping students graduate, creating a better tomorrow for themselves and their families.

The salary range for this position takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs.

At WGU, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their position, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is:

Grade: Faculty 506Pay Range: $71,300.00 - $107,000.00

Job Description

Job Profile Summary:

In conjunction with other stakeholders, the Instructional Designer manages the course development process and evaluates curricular materials (e.g., courses, technologies, modules) providing expertise on the instructional effectiveness of learning resources. This individual will work closely with stakeholders, researching and incorporating proven learning strategies and quality practices into the curriculum of each program. In addition, the Instructional Designer collaborates with stakeholders to develop course competencies and objectives. The Instructional Designer is responsible for the success of several simultaneous projects, assessing risk, reporting progress, and communicating effectively with stakeholders to promote collaboration and accountability.

Location: This position requires you to work at our headquarters, 4001 South 700 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84107. You would work a hybrid schedule in the office 4 days a week with one day remote.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Manages the course development process for new and existing courses.
• Ensures academic and quality standards as well as WGU’s vision and mission are reflected in all aspects of the student experience.
• Consults with curriculum program managers during the program review and development process.
• Assists in the development of contextually rich, engaging, and objective-driven courses that focus on applicable real-world/workplace skills.
• Applies evidence-based curriculum development strategies to the design of degree programs.
• Identifies learning resources and maps learning resources to course or program objectives and competencies in collaboration with university partners.
• Develops and revises curricular materials, including competency statements, learning objectives, and other relevant documentation.
• Reviews learning resources and assessments to ensure proper alignment to the intended objectives and facilitates agreement for necessary changes.
• Ensures course development is completed on time and within budget and meets standards of quality.
• Conducts quality assurance reviews on courses and implements revisions.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skill and Abilities:

• Thorough understanding of curriculum development, instructional design, and test development
• Thorough understanding of project management, needs assessment, and risk management
• Advanced technical writing and editing skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects at different stages while meeting deadlines and quality standards
• Ability to work independently, under minimal supervision
• Advanced critical thinking, analysis, and synthesis skills
• Advanced skills in planning, organizing, and self-management
• Ability to facilitate collaboration, support, and approval from a variety of stakeholders
• Problem Solving Skills: Investigates appropriate resources and involves partners when appropriate; future-oriented; assesses what will help/hinder achieving goals; focuses on what is important.
• Interpersonal Skills: Deals with others in a considerate, respectful, and unbiased manner; approaches conflict proactively; solicits and shares feedback openly; listens with empathy and maintains composure.
• Accuracy: Draws on factual information garnered from careful cultivation of a broad knowledge of WGU’s goals and processes; investigates beyond assumptions.
• Adaptability: Course corrects behaviors and communication style to meet the needs of a wide range of situations; tackles obstacles appropriately; is comfortable with ambiguity.
• Reliability: Accountable to others; does what it takes to get the job done; actions are consistent with words; follows through on commitments; exhibits exceptional integrity.
• Attitude: Displays commitment to the organization and to personal growth; self-motivated and able to motivate and inspire others; asserts self appropriately to champion ideas; tells the truth in a direct and constructive manner.
• Initiative: Self-directs with a strong bias for action; leads the way in improvement of performance or processes; displays keen interest in students and organization.

Competencies: 

Organizational or Student Impact:

• Accountable for decisions that impact individual students.
• Creates or facilitates learning experiences that support students ‘attainment of knowledge and skills. 
• With specific guidance from senior faculty and program leaders, acts independently in executing teaching practice.

Problem Solving & Decision Making:

• Works on diverse matters of limited complexity 
• This position receives general direction from their immediate supervisor or manager.
• Able to effectively utilize resources to address student concerns and inquiries.
• Supports student needs to help them achieve course or program outcomes at the individual student level.
• Individual follows university and department established policies and best practices.

Communication & Influence:

• Communicates with students as appropriate to support student questions and needs.
• This role communicates with fellow faculty members as appropriate within and outside of the department.
• Expected to provide feedback regarding discipline and practice leadership.

Leadership & Talent Management

• Considered a contributing and collegial team member.
• Individual adheres to learning and operational quality guidance and instructions.
• Supports initiatives within the area of specialty. 
• Displays a positive attitude toward change and supports change management practices.

Job Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master's degree in instructional design, educational technology, a related field of study or an equivalent combination of education and related work experience.
• Three or more years of online university course design experience, curriculum development and adult learning
• Experience in online learning technologies and pedagogies

Preferred Qualifications:

• Teaching experience preferred.
• Highly skilled AI prompt engineering experience.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.

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Position & Application Details

Full-Time Regular Positions (classified as regular and working 40 standard weekly hours): This is a full-time, regular position (classified for 40 standard weekly hours) that is eligible for bonuses; medical, dental, vision, telehealth and mental healthcare; health savings account and flexible spending account; basic and voluntary life insurance; disability coverage; accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity supplemental coverages; legal and identity theft coverage; retirement savings plan; wellbeing program; discounted WGU tuition; and flexible paid time off for rest and relaxation with no need for accrual, flexible paid sick time with no need for accrual, 11 paid holidays, and other paid leaves, including up to 12 weeks of parental leave.

How to Apply: If interested, an application will need to be submitted online. Internal WGU employees will need to apply through the internal job board in Workday.

Additional Information

Disclaimer: The job posting highlights the most critical responsibilities and requirements of the job. It’s not all-inclusive.

Accommodations: Applicants with disabilities who require assistance or accommodation during the application or interview process should contact our Talent Acquisition team at [email protected].

Equal Employment Opportunity: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected characteristic as required by law.