Pepperdine University

This Instructional Designer position supports the university's mission by leveraging digital tools and pedagogical best practices to create innovative and engaging learning experiences that reflect Pepperdine's commitment to academic excellence.

Duties

• Learning Design and Support - Partner with faculty to design and develop engaging online and hybrid courses in the LMS. Apply best practices in instructional design and adult learning theory to create effective learning experiences. Develop course materials, including assessments, interactive activities, multimedia content, and other instructional materials. Ensure that course content is aligned with university and program learning outcomes. Review courses for accessibility. Effectively manage multiple projects and courses by prioritizing tasks based on high demand and need. Provide technical support for learning management systems (e.g., Canvas) and other educational technologies used by faculty and students.
• Educational Technology & Innovation - Collaborate with the IT department and other stakeholders to support the integration of learning technologies into courses. Review periodicals, journals, and other sources of information to keep abreast of new developments in technologies to meet evolving teaching and learning demands. Explore new technologies, develop documentation, orient and train, create media and learning objects, and analyze data from learning tools to generate reports on usage and effectiveness. Attend training as needed to maintain a high level of technical competence. Provide timely and complete project status reports to the supervisor as requested. Work closely with other instructional designers, multimedia specialists, and academic leaders to foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement. Contribute to the development of resources, such as instructional guides and templates, to support course design. Participate in professional development activities to keep current in the field.
• Faculty Development - Develop, deliver, and assess various research-based faculty professional learning opportunities. Create instructional recommendations and templates, as well as educational technology resources and asynchronous learning materials. Provide individualized consultations to support faculty in the effective use of digital tools and teaching strategies.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Uphold University mission through work performed.

The above information has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

Skills and Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Instructional Design, Educational Technology, Curriculum and Instruction, or a related field is often preferred.
• 2+ years of experience in designing and developing online, hybrid, and face-to-face courses.
• Strong familiarity with LMS platforms such as Canvas, Blackboard, Moodle, or other similar systems for course development, management, and troubleshooting.
• Proficiency in applying instructional design models like ADDIE, SAM, or Backward Design to create effective learning experiences.
• Experience using tools for multimedia content creation, such as Articulate Storyline, Adobe Captivate, Camtasia, and Adobe Creative Cloud, to design interactive and visually engaging course materials.
• A solid grasp of adult learning theories and best practices, with the ability to apply these concepts to create engaging and effective learning experiences.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, meet deadlines, and coordinate with various stakeholders.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, to collaborate effectively with faculty, subject matter experts (SMEs), and other stakeholders in course development.
• Ability to evaluate, recommend, and integrate new technologies into the learning environment to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes.
• Understanding of accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG) and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles to ensure courses are accessible to all learners.
• Ability to analyze learning data, collect feedback, and use insights to refine and improve course content and design.
• Knowledge of working with computers and applications in a networked environment; knowledge of working with Microsoft Office applications, file conversion, Adobe Creative Suite, Camtasia, Snagit; Google Suite applications; graphic design software and graphic preparation for various delivery; digitization of materials; knowledge of TPACK, tips and techniques using technology, and learning management systems.

Preferred

• Master's degree in education in learning experience design, educational technology, instructional design, information technology, or other related field; courses in learning technologies, education, graphic or information design.
• Experience in higher education.
• Record of innovation and creativity in identifying and integrating technological solutions to pedagogical needs.
• Evidence of ability to generate faculty enthusiasm for and engagement in the use of new technologies for teaching.
• Knowledge of technology and media hardware.

Qualified individuals should be able to show respect for workplace differences, and have the ability to work effectively with individuals from different backgrounds.

Offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a criminal, education, and employment screening. The University conducts such screenings in compliance with applicable laws and with the objectives of evaluating risk and supporting a safe environment for students, faculty, staff, and guests; safeguarding key University assets including people, property, information, and the University’s reputation; and providing comprehensive job-related information to University leaders to enable them to make prudent hiring decisions. Qualified individuals with criminal histories will be considered for employment in compliance with applicable laws, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance.

This is a Regular, Exempt, 40 hour per week position. This position is eligible for remote or hybrid work in accordance with the University Policy Manual. The current work arrangement consists of three days on-site at the West LA campus and two days remote. This schedule is subject to change at the discretion of the supervisor and in accordance with university needs.

Expected Pay Range: $68,640 - $75,000 per year

The above pay range reflects what Pepperdine University reasonably expects to pay for this position at time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on relevant factors such as work experience, market conditions, education/training, and skill level. In addition to base pay, Pepperdine offers a robust and highly competitive benefits package.

Pepperdine is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of any status or condition protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.