Learning Architect

Office of Integrative Learning Design

Exempt, Regular, Full-Time, Pay Grade 3.5

Location: Stateside, Remote

Under the direction of one of four Directors of Learning Solutions (DLS), the Learning Architects (LA) will be key partners to the designated academic champions for existing course updates as well as new learning product development and program upgrades within one of UMGC's three schools: Cybersecurity and Information Technology, Business, or Arts and Sciences. The LAs are responsible for the design, development, implementation, and maintenance of learning products through close collaboration with academic and business representatives of the school. They are the subject matter experts in digital product design and development who must also have an eye toward incorporating strategies for improving inclusion, learning, and engagement in the courses they touch. In conjunction with the school's academic champions, LAs collaborate on the development of course competencies and objectives, research and incorporate proven learning strategies into the curriculum of each academic program, evaluate curricular materials based on quality rubrics (such as OER, simulations, adaptive modules), and advise on the design of assessments to evaluate learning outcomes.

The LA will be part of a lean, but highly qualified team of instructional design, technology, and media production experts as well as outside vendors to deliver best-in-class learning experiences for UMGC students that support the vision of the institution and adhere to product design decisions, business requirements, quality standards, and academic expectations. The LA is responsible for the success of a number of simultaneous projects, assessing risk, reporting progress, and communicating effectively with stakeholders in an effort to promote collaboration and accountability.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Work collaboratively with subject matter experts, academic and business representatives, learning technologists, media producers, and external vendors to design, develop, implement, and maintain contextually rich, engaging, and objective-driven courses that focus on applicable real-world/ workplace skills.

• Maintain awareness of project status and schedule and ensure instructional design consistency across projects. Understand how decisions and changes to timelines impact other aspects of development.

• Work closely with the DLS and ILD's Associate Vice President to gather and respond to faculty and student feedback on courses as part of a continuous improvement/update process.

• Facilitate new course development and/or upgrade meetings in close collaboration with the school's academic champion to establish vision, develop course outcomes and objectives, determine overall design and pedagogical approach of the course, and ensure project team is familiar with and stays aligned to UMGC's new learning model and project management plan.

• Analyze standards and other curriculum requirements to contribute to the development of blueprints/storyboards, scope and sequences, and other project content-planning documents.

• Manage creation of instructional components, ensuring that all courses and course components are student-centered, enable the intended learning outcomes, as well as meet university values, quality standards, accessibility requirements, and program design and charter requirements.

• Review the work of external vendors or independent contractors to ensure adherence to quality and to project specifications; provide feedback.

• Identify, design, and/or review learning resources in collaboration with academic champions to ensure proper alignment to the intended objectives.

• Ensure learning content adheres to program/product design decisions, business and accessibility requirements, quality standards, and academic expectations; implement revisions as needed.

• Work collaboratively with Instructional Resources and Technology staff to ensure availability of learning resources.

• Develop and/or revise other course material, including competency statements, learning objectives, and other relevant documentation.

• Communicate and collaborate within and across functional internal teams and with vendors to manage projects and address challenges; ensure that internal and external course reviews occur and that feedback/required changes are incorporated.

• Assure final deliverables are completed on time and within budget while also meeting or exceeding established accuracy, consistency, and quality standards.

• Keep the Director of Learning Solutions informed of issues that impact the design and development of digital products.

• Fill in for Director of Learning Solutions as needed, perform other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's degree in Instructional Design, educational technology, or comparable degree; doctorate preferred.

• Minimum 5 years of experience in digital teaching and learning in higher education. Online teaching experience preferred but not required.

• Demonstrated ability to apply current adult-centered pedagogy and learning theories to innovative online and instructor-led learning designs including active learning principles, project-based learning, microlearning, gamification, virtual/augmented reality, and the like.

• Knowledge of learning science, instructional design, assessment design, learning technologies, learner-centered pedagogy, interface design, and emerging trends in inclusive design to support learning both generally and within the discipline.

• Demonstrated ability to facilitate design-thinking approaches to course and content development and forming collaborative and constructive relationships with higher education faculty and staff.

• Thorough knowledge of learning management systems and teaching tools, and an excellent understanding of processes and standards for planning and implementing instructional design in an LMS.

• Demonstrated experience curating and developing instructional materials, particularly open educational resources.

• Highly motivated with excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication, presentation, and problem-solving skills.

• Self-starter with strong organizational and time management skills; self-directed and able to handle multiple priorities with demanding time frames while meeting deadlines and quality standards.

• Ability to be creative, flexible, and innovative in learning design also with high attention to detail. 

• Experience leading and managing projects in a remote/distributed environment.

• Proven ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and staff to create a high-quality, results-driven, team-oriented environment.

All submissions should include a cover letter and resume.

The University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination. UMGC is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, ancestry, political affiliation or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

Workplace Accommodations:

The University of Maryland Global Campus Global Campus (UMGC) is committed to creating and maintaining a welcoming and inclusive working environment for people of all abilities. UMGC is dedicated to the principle that no qualified individual with a disability shall, based on disability, be excluded from participation in or be denied the benefits of the services, programs, or activities of the University, or be subjected to discrimination. For information about UMGC's Reasonable Workplace Accommodation Policy or to request an accommodation, applicants/candidates can contact Employee Accommodations via email at employee-accommodations@umgc.edu. 

Benefits Package Highlights:

• Generous Time Off: Enjoy 22 days of paid vacation, 15 days of sick leave, 3 personal days, and 15 paid holidays (16 during general election years). For part-time employees, time off rates will be prorated based on the number of hours worked.
• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Access to health care, medical with vision, dental, and prescription plans for both individuals and families, effective from the 1st of the month following your hire date.
• Insurance Options: Term Life Insurance, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, and Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance. Part-time employees working less than 0.5 FTE are not eligible for LTD.
• Flexible Spending Accounts: Available for medical and dependent care expenses.
• Retirement Plans: Choose between the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) or the Maryland State Retirement and Pension System (MSRPS).
• Supplemental Retirement Plans: include 401(k), 403(b), 457(b), and various Roth options. The university does not provide matching funds.
• Tuition Remission: Immediate availability for Regular Exempt Staff. Spouses and dependent children are eligible for undergraduate tuition remission after two years of service. NOTE: For part-time employees (at least 50 percent of the time), tuition remission benefits are prorated.

Hiring Range: