Learning Design Specialist - 998068
- Graduate Online
- Staff, full-time (32+ hours per week)
Title: Learning Design Specialist - 998068
Position Number: 998068
Unit/Department: Drake Online and Continuing Education
Salary: Commensurate with qualifications and experience
Department Summary:
Drake Online centrally manages all aspects of Drake University's online programs, providing comprehensive support across the student lifecycle. We manage marketing, recruitment, and retention in-house to ensure a cohesive and strategic approach to enrollment and student success. We provide student-centered learning design services focused on designing engaging, motivating learning experiences. https://www.drake.edu/doce/
Job Summary:
The Learning Design Specialist supports the design and development of online graduate courses by working closely with faculty and the learning design services team. This role emphasizes creating effective, engaging, and accessible online learning experiences that align with best practices in online learning.
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in education, learning design, instructional design or related field.
Familiarity with Learning Management System platforms (e.g., Blackboard, Canvas, D2L).
Foundational knowledge of learning design frameworks and instructional design models (e.g., ADDIE, Backward Design).
Strong communication and collaboration skills.
Knowledge in accessibility guidelines, universal design for learning (UDL), and best practices in online learning.
Preferred Qualifications:
Master’s degree in Learning Design, Instructional Design, Educational Technology, or a related field.
One to two years’ experience in learning design, instructional design, online learning, or educational technology.
Job Duties:
- 70% - Collaborates with faculty in the design and development of online graduate courses utilizing learning design principles to develop high-quality, student-centered learning experiences. - (Essential)
- 5% - Supports the integration of multimedia, interactive learning activities, and assessments into courses. - (Essential)
- 5% - Ensures courses meet accessibility, universal design, and quality standards. - (Essential)
- 5% - Provides foundational training and support for faculty using the learning management system (LMS) and instructional technology tools. - (Essential)
- 5% - Conducts course reviews, revisions, and ongoing quality improvement initiatives. - (Essential)
- 5% - Stays current with trends and innovations in learning design, instructional technology, and online education. - (Essential)
- 5% - Shares expertise and innovative practices with colleagues to strengthen collaborative learning design efforts. - (Essential)
Special Instructions to Applicants:
If qualifications are met, candidates may be considered for a Senior Learning Design Specialist position.
For full consideration, you must apply online by September 26, 2025. Please include a resume and cover letter.
Review of Applications Begins:
Salary and Benefits:
At Drake, we are proud to offer our employees, their spouses, and eligible dependents a comprehensive benefits package, which includes a wide range of core benefits, perks, and discounts. If you are exploring a job with Drake University, we invite you to spend a little time with our Drake Benefits Guide 2025. One of our popular policies provides a tuition waiver for Drake employees, their spouses, and eligible dependents. Drake also participates in not one, but two tuition exchange programs available to dependent children. Tuition BenefitsFor faculty positions, selection will depend on the receipt of recommendation confirming the candidate's scholarly achievements and teaching abilities and/or on the candidate's satisfactory passing of a teaching demonstration if selected for an on-campus interview. For staff positions, selection will depend upon careful review of each applicant’s references, education, and, if applicable, experience.
About Drake:
Drake University is recognized as a top private university in the Midwest. Drake is a midsize university in Des Moines, Iowa, with an increasingly diverse student body. We are deeply committed to equity and inclusion and creating a sense of belonging for all members of the campus community—faculty, staff, and students alike. More than 900 faculty and staff are part of the Bulldog pack, a close-knit group of colleagues enthusiastic about preparing students to be global citizens and leaders, challenging assumptions. Drake University is not only an outstanding institution of higher learning, it is also a wonderful place to work. We are enthusiastically committed to welcoming new ideas and people into the fold, and to retaining and rewarding stellar employees.
All positions at Drake provide opportunities to contribute to Drake University’s core mission of creating an exceptional learning environment that prepares students of all backgrounds for meaningful lives and professional accomplishments.
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion at Drake:
At Drake University, we don’t just accept differences—we celebrate them, we support them, and we thrive on them for the benefit of our students, our employees, and our community. Drake University is proud to support an equal opportunity, diverse, inclusive, and welcoming workplace. In fact, the celebration of diversity and inclusion are embedded in our Core Values. Learn more about our DEI commitment and efforts here.
We welcome applicants of diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. If you are a member of a socially or historically underrepresented or marginalized group or you have actively demonstrated a commitment to diversity and inclusion, we strongly encourage you to apply. If you are a member of one of the equity groups identified by applicable law, we encourage you to self-identify, where requested in our online application system.
Drake University is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations in its services, programs, activities, education, and employment for individuals with disabilities. If you would benefit from an accommodation at any point in the recruitment process (including using our online application process), please contact Drake Human Resources (ph: 515.271.3133; e: jobs@drake.edu) and let us know how we can assist you.
At Drake University, we highly value a diverse, inclusive workforce. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We stand firmly against discrimination including on the basis of race, color, national origin, creed, religion, age, disability, sex, pregnancy, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, or any characteristic protected by law.
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