Director of Learning Design

Job DetailsJob Location: Pineland Campus - New Gloucester, ME 04260Education Level: 4 Year Degree At Unity Environmental University, we value different perspectives, champion innovation, and create an environment where both employees and learners can excel. We are committed to fostering a workplace where talent and dedication drive success.   JOB OVERVIEW The Director of Learning Design (DLD) will provide operational leadership, supervision and vision for the Learning Designs and Learning Technology Support Specialists of the greater Learning Design group of units. These units include: The DLD should demonstrate a commitment to collaboration and continuous improvement, student success and retention, academic quality and innovation, flexibility, and diverse perspectives and approaches. They will also be directly responsible for maintaining separation between SEBU operations while capitalizing on shared resources/synergies. In working with and leading units with the Academics function and fulfilling the responsibilities of their position, the DLD may at any time need to interface across any and all functional areas of the Enterprise. This role is funded through Research and Development in order to create institutional bandwidth. It begins with a structured learning period of a minimum of three to six months in which the incumbent shadows and learns from the Executive Director of Educational Product Development and Distribution. Specific tasks and projects are assigned during that period. Following the learning period, the incumbent is assigned a portfolio, either at the Enterprise level or dedicated to a subsidiary or SEBU, based on institutional need. Any portfolio assigned remains within the scope of this role. The portfolio assignment and any reports are determined by the institution and are not fixed at the time of hire. POSITION SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES AND EXPECTATIONS Provide operational leadership, supervision and vision for the Learning Designrtd and Learning Technology Support Specialists of the greater Learning Design group of units. Lead assigned institutional initiatives and projects, including work that may extend beyond the position’s primary portfolio as organizational needs evolve. Manage academic SEBUs’ learning management system/s and product delivery system/s and related tools. Ensure that SEBU course designs reflect the application of appropriate learning and instructional theories . Ensure that current educational technologies are integrated into SEBU learning products to promote effective teaching strategies and to improve student-learning experiences .and vision for the Product Communicate knowledge and application of effective pedagogy and use of academic technologies. Facilitate and coordinate administrative aspects of course development, delivery, and support. Oversee teams that provide learning experience design services, consultation and assistance with planning, as well as coordinating and supporting course designs, redesigns, content, and evaluation. Ensure that SEBUs have appropriate processes for appraising course creation quality in terms of design, writing, and editing. Remain current and have a thorough understanding of the latest industry technology tools and trends in online education. Proactively communicate challenges, successes, and failures with leadership. Maintain the ability for Learning Experience Design to respond nimbly to rapidly shifting priorities, such that we are able to make sweeping changes across curriculum to specific or multiple SEBUs in an organized and rapid manner. Other duties as assigned. UNITY ENVIRONMENTAL UNIVERSITY INSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBLITIES: Stay open to counterintuitive ideas and direct feedback. Unity employees are expected to think creatively and remain open to approaches that challenge initial instincts or traditional methods. Taking direction, seeking clarity, and executing with precision are critical to moving innovative work forward. Work confidently with AI, digital tools, and emerging systems. As a technology-enabled institution, Unity expects all employees to adopt a growth mindset around digital tools. This includes using AI systems to enhance productivity and decision-making, as well as learning new platforms and processes with curiosity and accountability. Deliver results in a fast-paced, evolving environment. Agility, resilience, and follow-through are essential. Employees must remain focused on outcomes even as priorities shift, iterating quickly and adjusting to change without losing momentum. Communicate with clarity and consistency. Strong written and verbal communication, including the ability and willingness to engage professionally by phone, video, and digital channels is essential. Employees must document decisions, convey key information clearly, and support alignment across teams. Model integrity and professionalism in all aspects of work. Every employee is responsible for upholding high ethical standards, demonstrating sound judgment, and maintaining an ownership mindset when it comes to their role and results. Own the accuracy of your work. While Unity equips employees with advanced systems and AI-enhanced tools, the responsibility for quality, precision, and correctness rests with the individual. Attention to detail and proactive error-checking are non-negotiable. Demonstrate a commitment to sustainability in all aspects of work. This includes responsible stewardship of resources, strategic decision-making, and ensuring long-term institutional impact. At Unity, we encourage input, feedback, and collaboration from all employees, your perspective matters. However, once a decision has been made, employees are expected to act as an extension of their supervisor’s bandwidth, carrying out directives with clarity, consistency, and precision. We do not operate in independent silos; instead, we emphasize cross-functional collaboration and shared accountability. Perform other duties as assigned. QualificationsTo be successful in this position you must be able to execute each of the position specific responsibilities while meeting the position expectations. Additionally, the position specific education, skills and competencies listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability needed. Reasonable accommodations may be made upon approval by the supervisor and Human Resources, to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. POSITION SPECIFIC EDUCATION, SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES: Required: Baccalaureate Degree in Learning Design, Education, Learning and Development, Learning Product Development, or a relatable field. Proven knowledge of instructional design strategies, along with the current techniques, tools, and procedures used in the design, development, and evaluation of technology-enhanced and online courses and programs. Strong research, content analysis, and content preparation skills. Experience in leading and managing multiple, complex projects, and the ability to schedule, prioritize and meet varied deadlines across these projects. Direct experience supervising employees. Experience in online classroom teaching or workshop facilitation. Experience with Universal Design and other accessibility principles to ensure course content is accessible to all learners. Proven ability to stay current with rapidly changing technologies. Demonstrated competence in working with learning management systems, such as Canvas. Ability to work both independently and within a team. Proven ability to work effectively and communicate with subject matter experts, peers, users and media developers. Demonstrated excellent oral and written communication skills with strong interpersonal and presentation skills, while working with diverse content and populations. Familiarity with HTML and CSS. Ability and willingness to work with students from diverse political/socioeconomic backgrounds and a wide range of physical and academic abilities. Personal commitment to the environmental focus and mission of the Institution. Ability to function effectively within a matrix organizational structure, maintaining open lines of communication while being discreet, courteous and well poised. WORK SCHEDULE / AVAILABILITY REQUIREMENTS Work hours are specific to the requirements of this position and can include days, evenings, and weekends as scheduled by their supervisor to best support students. Working extended hours required as needed. Must be flexible and cooperative in fulfilling responsibilities and meeting the Institution’s needs. Although Unity Environmental University employees are generally scheduled to work at their specifically assigned locations, there are times when travel is necessary, and employees are required from time to time to attend events, meetings, or work temporary assignments at any Unity Environmental University location. PHYSICAL DEMANDS While performing the duties of this job, it is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand or walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 lbs. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. The use of either hand for repetitive movements such as grasping, grasping and turning, and fine manipulation is required as is the ability to use the telephone for internal and external communications. ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS Work is performed mostly in an office setting. The noise level in the work environment is normally moderate. Exposure to changes of temperature or humidity 1-33% of the time.