Senior Learning Designer & Consultant

Job Description

This position has an initial appointment of 3 years, with the possibility of renewal.

Location - This role is in-person. Work primarily takes place at North Campus Edmonton.

The Learning Design Studio is a multidisciplinary hub in the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry (FoMD), dedicated to advancing health sciences education through design-oriented solutions. Our team delivers a diverse portfolio including eLearning courses and interactive websites, visual communications design, educational multimedia, and 3D-printed prototypes.

We are seeking a Senior Learning Designer & Consultant who is a blend of creative developer, strategic consultant, and project leader. In this role, you will serve as the studio's lead instructional designer and learning consultant, partnering with clinicians and researchers to translate complex medical teaching, learning, and community outreach needs into high-impact learning experiences. As the sole instructional designer on the team, you will move seamlessly between high-level pedagogical consultation and hands-on instructional development.

You will also act as the Studio's project manager, overseeing project lifecycles, facilitating team workflows, and ensuring our initiatives are strategically aligned and financially sustainable within our cost recovery model. You will provide functional leadership to a talented team of visual communications and industrial designers, and work with various subject matter experts to bring meaningful learning experiences to life.

Responsibilities

Instructional & Educational Design:

• Directly design and develop pedagogically sound instructional resources, eLearning courses, interactive content, educational websites tailored for the unique requirements of health sciences education. You must be able to lead the end-to-end production of these assets while providing a clear pedagogical rationale for design choices
• Provide expert advice and guidance on the selection and implementation of educational technologies, curriculum design, and content planning, while addressing critical ethical issues (such as equity, copyright, and privacy) within medical and clinical contexts
• Utilize evidence-based pedagogical frameworks to produce innovative learning tools for various digital and physical learning environments
• Ensure all learning materials adhere to Faculty branding, guidelines, and policies, ensuring integration into Learning Management Systems (LMS)

Stakeholder Consultation and Business Development:

• Act as the primary consultant for faculty and clinicians, facilitating discovery phases to translate complex educational needs into viable project scopes, design strategies, and development plans
• Proactively network and engage with FoMD faculty and researchers to uncover innovative project ideas, align educational needs with Studio solutions, promote Studio services, and drive new project opportunities to the Studio
• Partner with FoMD faculty, staff, researchers, and subject matter experts to plan and implement complex multiphase projects
• Build and maintain trusted partnerships with high-profile clinical and academic subject matter experts, navigating diverse perspectives and competing priorities with a collaborative spirit, solution-focused approach, and high-level diplomacy and professional acumen
• Facilitate Faculty-wide workshops and demonstrations to promote effective instructional practices and promote the Studio's multidisciplinary capabilities
• Proactively engage with internal and external partners to promote instructional innovation, Learning Design Studio services, and explore emerging technologies such as AI tools, medical simulations, and immersive learning

Project Management:

• Oversee the full project lifecycle, including developing comprehensive project plans, defining scope, objectives, deliverables, timelines, managing budgets/resources, and identifying risks to ensure deliverables are high-quality, on time, and within scope
• Write Statements of Work (SoW) to ensure mutually agreeable project goals, scope, and budget
• Assist in financial tracking, monitoring project budgets, and identifying potential cost-recovery opportunities to support Studio sustainability
• Manage the execution of high-stakes projects with significant financial or political sensitivity, ensuring all assets meet quality standards and Faculty guidelines
• Seek and provide guidance to subject matter experts who may be required to complete project deliverables
• Troubleshoot challenges that arise during production, providing hands-on solutions for the multidisciplinary design team

Workflow Facilitation:

• Coordinate the day-to-day operations of the design team of 3-4 visual communications and industrial designers, facilitating workflows and aligning tasks based on staff capacity and skill sets
• Provide technical guidance and assist in troubleshooting multidisciplinary technical challenges
• Foster a collaborative environment both internally and externally

Qualifications

Education:

• A Bachelor's degree in instructional design, educational technology, or a related field is required; a Master's degree is preferred to ensure a deep foundation in pedagogical theory

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in educational/learning/instructional design, preferably in a higher education or health sciences context
• Experience leading exploratory intake meetings, translating educational vision of clinician and subject matter experts into tangible design projects preferred
• Experience in course design and development is required; within regulated, standards-based, or accredited training programs is considered a strong asset
• Equivalent combinations of Education and Experience may be considered

Technical Knowledge:

• Deep knowledge of adult learning theories and instructional design methodologies (e.g., ADDIE, SAM, Backward Design) with the ability to apply them to medical content
• Advanced proficiency in eLearning tools (e.g., Articulate 360) and LMS platforms (e.g., Canvas), including experience with LMS integration and troubleshooting
• Aptitude for adopting new multimedia, prototyping and other software applications
• Working knowledge of a variety of visual communications design and/or industrial design tools is an asset

Professional Acumen:

• Demonstrated ability to lead complex projects, manage budgets, and navigate shared responsibilities with stakeholders at all levels using diplomacy, political acumen, and conflict-resolution skills
• Proven ability to provide functional leadership to multidisciplinary teams, with experience coordinating workflows, mentoring staff, and managing project lifecycles from discovery to delivery

Solution-Focused:

• A proven ability to learn new skills quickly and apply innovative approaches to solving design problems
• Mission Alignment: A demonstrated interest in health sciences education and a passion for applying educational design capabilities to improve learning and healthcare training is an asset
• Institutional Knowledge: Familiarity with the policies, procedures, and organizational culture of the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, or a similar academic or clinical environment, is preferred

Application Instructions

Click "Apply Now" to submit your resume and cover letter. In your cover letter, please include how your instructional design experience aligns to your interest in health sciences education.

This position offers a comprehensive benefits package, and an annual salary range of $68,940 to $114,943.

The terms and conditions of this appointment are governed by Schedule G of the collective agreement between the University and the Association of Academic Staff of the University of Alberta.