Director of Instructional Design

Position Overview

The Director of Instructional Design at Austin Peay State University provides visionary leadership for instructional design and online educational initiatives across the campus. Reporting to the Executive Director of Distance Education, this role guides the planning, execution, and ongoing refinement of design services that enhance online, hybrid, and traditional classroom instruction. The director establishes standards for instructional design quality, champions institution-wide projects related to innovation, digital accessibility, and instructional excellence, and applies independent judgement to assure alignment with university goals and regulatory mandates. This position also directs the instructional design team and manages broad initiatives to promote effective, accessible learning experiences.

Core Responsibilities

• Lead multi-departmental instructional design projects requiring resource coordination and strategic oversight.
• Apply independent judgement to navigate complex educational design challenges and project planning.
• Utilize data-driven approaches to evaluate results and drive ongoing improvements in instructional practices.
• Provide strategic direction for instructional services and faculty development supporting diverse teaching modalities.
• Develop and implement standards and best practices that align with accreditation criteria and institutional priorities for course quality and learner engagement.
• Oversee comprehensive course review and quality assurance based on research-backed instructional design and adult learning principles.
• Assess course readiness and instructional effectiveness, recommending enhancements to impact academic outcomes.
• Ensure institutional compliance with digital accessibility laws and distance education regulations by interpreting legal standards and establishing policies.
• Serve as a subject matter expert on digital accessibility and compliance issues.
• Advise faculty and academic leaders on course innovation and instructional tactics, designing professional development to boost teaching skills for online and hybrid environments.
• Manage hiring, evaluation, and professional growth for instructional design staff, fostering an environment of collaboration and continuous learning.
• Collaborate with technology and academic teams to integrate instructional technology strategically, assess new tools, and enhance user support.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree in Instructional Design, Educational Technology, Higher Education, Curriculum and Instruction, or a closely related field.
• A minimum of three years progressive experience in instructional design, online learning, faculty development, or related areas.
• Familiarity with course quality frameworks such as Quality Matters or OSCQR.
• Experience supervising professional personnel.
• Proven leadership in managing complex projects involving diverse stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Doctoral degree in a relevant discipline.
• Background in leading institution-wide or cross-functional initiatives.
• Experience supporting multiple instructional modalities in higher education.
• Skill in developing or facilitating faculty development initiatives.
• Knowledge of digital accessibility standards including WCAG and ADA compliance.
• Familiarity with learning management systems and instructional technology platforms.

Physical Requirements

This role involves primarily sedentary duties, occasionally requiring the ability to exert up to 10 pounds of force and frequent negligible movements for typical office tasks.