Assistant Director of Instructional Design - Office of Academic Innovation - Penn Engineering

University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Posted Job Title

Assistant Director of Instructional Design - Office of Academic Innovation - Penn Engineering

Job Profile Title

Information Technology Manager

Job Description Summary

Penn Engineering’s Office of Academic Innovation is seeking an experienced Instructional Design manager interested in leading a team of instructional designers within a fast-paced and entrepreneurial organization.

Job Description

The Assistant Director of Instructional Design manages course development and revision for Penn Engineering Online. Reporting to the Senior Director of the Office of Academic Innovation, this role leads a growing team of instructional designers and oversees the successful delivery of high-quality online courses that are completed on time, within budget, and aligned with academic, accessibility, and technology standards.

Working closely with faculty, staff, and external partners, the Assistant Director guides the design and development of online learning experiences for Penn Engineering's portfolio of online graduate degree programs, as well as for-credit, non-credit, and blended learning initiatives. The role provides leadership in instructional design, project management, quality assurance, and continuous improvement across the course portfolio.

The Assistant Director collaborates closely with colleagues across the Learning Design and Technology team to ensure successful course implementation, resolve instructional challenges, evaluate course effectiveness, and identify opportunities to improve online teaching and learning through innovative practices and emerging technologies.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the Instructional Design team and all course development efforts. Specifically, manage the day-to-day operations of the Instructional Design Team and include serving as a bona fide supervisor to a growing team that currently has two Senior Instructional Designers, two Instructional Designers, and multiple student workers and vendors. Responsible for maintaining and enforcing deadlines, establishing team and project priorities to align efforts with organizational priorities, and negotiating resources and deadlines with internal and external stakeholders. In partnership with the Assistant Director of Instructional Technology, spearhead technical communication efforts, like knowledge base articles, guidelines, and newsletters. 

• Project manage or oversee the project management of all new course developments, ensuring courses meet online learning standards. Manage all logistics, communications, and client relations during the design phase and prepare for hand-off to the Instructional Technology Team for implementation. Assist with faculty contracting, school approvals, and registrar rostering.

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