Role Snapshot
Instructional Designers at Outlier by Savvas organize the creation, improvement, and maintenance of online course content, including recruiting expert academics, designing materials, and updating courses based on analytics, feedback, and annual reviews. They coordinate vendors and contractors to ensure high-quality, student-centered education.
Job Description
At Outlier by Savvas, Instructional Designers organize the creation, improvements, and maintenance of content for our online course offerings. This role plays a key part in the recruitment and management of expert academics, design of course materials, management of course material production, review and copyediting of these materials, and organization of the teams uploading these materials to our site. Additionally, Instructional Designers are responsible for updating and improving the course content based on market needs, feedback from course facilitators, student performance analytics, University of Pittsburgh annual course reviews, as well as developments in the fields of study the courses cover. This role involves working cooperatively with a team of vendors or contractors, including subject matter experts, resource creators, and copy editors.
Instructional Designers interface with content creators with a variety of skill levels, from university professors to educational vendors, to early-career interns. They also interface regularly with members from other teams, especially the Video, Platform, and Customer Service teams. The role reports to the Director of Product Development on the College and Career Readiness Product Development Team.
RESPONSIBILITIES
General Instructional Design
Manage the design and development of new courses, including defining the curriculum, learning outcomes, assignments, activities, aesthetic, and platform needs
Perform data analysis on assessment results and student outcomes to inform course improvement needs
Research and implement best practices for online learning
Research existing syllabi, curricula, and open-access materials to inform course design
Coordinate with on-screen instructors and manage a team of content creators (vendors) developing college-level curriculum and assessments
Consult on script writing, filming, and post-production content edits for lectures
Proofread and edit course materials for grammar, accuracy, and clarity
Organize large numbers of asset and content files; maintain an orderly and useful content storage system
Assess and resolve Zendesk tickets regarding content accuracy and clarity
Master a range of proprietary digital systems, including a CMS and web backend
Continually improve the student experience and quality of education we deliver
Dual Enrollment
Design teacher-facing materials for our dual enrollment courses to support teachers in the classroom, including lesson plans and orientation content
Adjust course materials for high school learners
Assist in the creation of project business plans
Facilitate rights and permissions work
Creation of New Materials (Full Courses or Unique Projects)
Plan, manage, and maintain the schedule for small- and large-scale projects
Embody the student perspective throughout course design
Communicate effectively both inter- and intra-departmentally
Research existing syllabi, curricula, and open-access materials to inform course design
Utilize course assessment and student outcomes data to inform design decisions
Meet with University of Pittsburgh and other accrediting university partners for initial course curriculum approvals
Work closely with the Video team to scaffold, script, rehearse, and film instructional videos
Oversee and participate in the process of uploading content to the site
Manage the licensing of images and other assets for use in the course material
Coordinate with professors and manage a team of content creators developing college-level curriculum and assessments
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
A bachelor's degree in educational technology, instructional design, communications, or related field.
3+ years of instructional design and development experience, preferably in the field of education.
Excellent communication skills, strong analytical and verbal communication skills, and excellent interpersonal skills.
Ability to lead collaboratively with members of cross-functional teams to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Possesses an eye for detail and is able to manifest ideas into a tangible form.
Strong computer skills, specifically Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio), Google Suite (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Lucid Chart), and management tools.
Knowledge of development processes to build digital products. The ability to modify the processes to create digital first products, plus the ability to provide leadership to implement these processes.
Highly organized and able to thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment.
High degree of flexibility and adaptability.
DESIRED SKILLS
Knowledge of educational publishing products and processes.
Expertise in documentation creation and management.
Prior experience with Content Management Systems.
Ability to develop innovative approaches to complex design problems.
Strong computer skills, specifically Google, Microsoft Office, and other digital asset development tools.
Familiarity with various authoring and programming tools, including but not limited to HTML and XML.
Knowledge of instructional practices that promote equity, diversity, and inclusion for all students and teachers.
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