FULL-TIME POSITION
Reports to: Director of Research and Development
Location: Hybrid - some work in the Lansing, MI office.
FLSA Status: Exempt
Supervisory Responsibilities: Instructional Designer(s)
Posting Salary Range: $76,802- $85,800 annually
Are you passionate about using your Instructional Design skills to make a difference in the world? Consider joining our Michigan Virtual team as an Instructional Design Manager and contribute to our mission of expanding educational opportunities for K-12 students and educators across Michigan. Grow your career and be a part of an organization that encourages innovation and trying new things for the betterment of the educational community that we serve.
Position Summary:
The Instructional Design Manager is responsible for leading the design and development of innovative learning experiences for the Research and Development (R&D) group within the Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute (MVLRI). The ID Manager applies a deep understanding of learning theory, instructional design models, usability, pedagogy and andragogy to lead the design of high-quality, research-based learning experiences. Learning experiences include content, assessments and associated materials for an audience of K-12 students or education professionals. Learning experiences may be delivered as standalone content, learning objects and/or full courses. The ID Manager oversees the day-to-day operations of the Learning Experience Design Team and works closely with other managers in the R&D group to support projects and pilots of innovative learning technologies and practices. They establish standards and processes to ensure quality and consistency as well as timely delivery of Instructional Design projects. As a supervisor, the ID Manager provides mentoring and coaching to the Learning Experience Designers in support of their professional growth.
This is a Michigan-based role to ensure you can make a statewide impact with schools!
Michigan Virtual – Work that Makes a Difference
Michigan Virtual is a Lansing-based nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation where every employee contributes to advancing K-12 education through digital learning, research, innovation, policy and partnerships.
Our Mission is to Maximize learning and teaching by bringing together the best in people and technology.
Our Vision is to Be Michigan’s leader for innovation in education.
Our Values are: PutLearners First, Act with Integrity, Champion Diversity, Commit to Excellence, and Cultivate Creativity.
We believe in a culture of caring. A people-first culture that strives to make every employee feel valued. Find out more about our culture, workplace and benefits.
Diversity is more than just a value to us. Having a people-first culture means being inclusive of diversity in all forms and honoring all employee voices. For Michigan Virtual diversity is a critical component to innovation.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities:
- Establishes quality standards and processes for the Instructional Design (R&D) team.
- Oversees the day-to-day operations of the Instructional Design (R&D) projects from design through development.
- Provides supervision, mentoring and coaching to the Instructional Design team.
- Serves as an internal expert in instructional design, articulating the overall research, instructional approach, and development of the products to internal and external stakeholders.
- Actively participates in department leadership to contribute to planning, budgeting, monitoring, and ongoing reporting.
- Promote a problem-solving mindset to review, analyze, recommend, and drive process improvements focused on delivering quality and cost-effective products.
- Ensures alignment between user needs and the design of instructional design projects.
- Applies course quality and accessibility standards to the design and development of learning experiences.
- May take on the instructional designer role on projects as needed.
- Monitors health, quality, and effectiveness of existing processes and products and recommends relevant process improvements.
- Recruits, trains, and mentors instructional design staff to ensure professional growth, product consistency.
- Works within an agile project management framework across the R&D team to oversee timelines and processes for instructional design projects.
- Implements repeatable and transparent processes to drive consistency and efficiency of instructional design projects.
- Establishes and oversees relationships with contractors assigned to instructional design projects.
- Stays up to date on current learning technologies and trends as well as learning experience and instructional design best practices.
Job Qualifications and Requirements:
- Strong knowledge and application of learning experience design, instructional design, usability, pedagogy and andragogy.
- Proven track record of designing and developing effective digital learning solutions for the K-12 education market.
- Demonstrable history of strong team leadership, team building, and mentoring skills. (Supervisory experience preferred).
- Strong problem-solving and analytical skills and an aptitude for analyzing complex issues and developing the appropriate solutions.
- Experience in implementing process improvement and internal controls.
- Ability to effectively operate within a diverse environment with cross-functional teams.
- Demonstrated interpersonal and leadership skills including the ability to work with and through people to establish shared project goals, objectives, and action plans.
- Experience in developing and training staff and overseeing compliance.
- Ability to manage and navigate change.
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail. Proven ability to effectively manage competing priorities and deadlines simultaneously.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills including the ability to tailor communication to an audience to achieve the desired result.
Education and/or Experience:
- Masters degree in educational technology, instructional design, curriculum and instruction or equivalent degree from four-year college or university.
- 5-7 years’ experience in instructional design, learning experience design, online content/curriculum development or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Experience designing digital content for blended and online learning.
- Supervisory Experience Highly Desirable.
- Experience using AI tools in support of instructional design highly desirable.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
This position has direct management responsibilities for Instructional Designers (I, II and Sr.). Additionally, this position will have oversight for external contract SMEs, writers, and designers.
WORK ENVIRONMENT and/or PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The work environment characteristics and physical demands described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job.
- The work environment is that of a typical office and/or classroom setting.
- Sit in a normal seated or standing position in front of a computer for extended periods of time.
- The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.
- Ability to see and hear within normal parameters, with or without accommodations.
This position description is a general statement of required major duties and responsibilities performed on a regular and continuous basis; it is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. This position description does not exclude other duties as assigned.
