Lead Instructional Designer

Job Description

Job Requisition ID: 16402

Additional Locations: Remote will also be considered.

The Lead Instructional Designer’s primary role is researching, designing, and developing professional learning for live online courses facilitated by HMH instructional coaches. This person is responsible for developing content with a strong product-market fit and that meets identified learning outcomes to support K–12 educators across one or more discipline areas. This person must be highly adept at quickly

building knowledge and expertise around programs, platforms, and instructional practices, as well as at designing learning experiences that maximize interactivity and engagement in an online environment.

The Lead ID is an innovator and mentor who has subject matter/domain expertise to inform development and support the work of other instructional designers. The Lead ID consistently provides feedback and encourages others to be responsive and iterative in their approach to designing learning experiences. This role requires being able to work with a high level of independence, including taking initiative to identify potential needs/challenges and suggest solutions, as well as working collaboratively within and across teams.

Project Management

• Manage multiple project deliverables simultaneously and successfully bring multiple projects in on time and within budget; alert key stakeholders of any risk
• Adopt agile development practices to ensure product-market fit; design iterative, feedback-informed development plans; track against release milestones and manage to budget
• Communicate project(s) status regularly with project stakeholders; work with Director to re-prioritize development based on stakeholder/field expectations and customer need
• Recommend process improvements and innovations; support instructional design team members in learning and adopting new tools and process

Instructional Design

• Bring ownership and a spirit of innovation to the design of professional learning. The Lead ID is always seeking to improve learning and experience in a way that puts the user (teacher) at the center.
• Conduct front-end analysis to determine agenda and learning outcomes, design learning experiences for live online delivery, and gather and incorporate feedback to inform iterations beyond MVP
• Develop components for both course facilitators and participants using appropriate tools to support online professional learning and coaching, and additional resources to support consultant enablement
• Design learning experiences that are grounded in principles of adult learning and take a digital-first approach to increase teacher engagement in a live online environment.
• Actively solicit feedback from facilitators/instructional coaches and participants; synthesize and use insights to ensure both perspectives are infused in the live online experience. Demonstrate an iterative approach to development that is reflected in ongoing releases.
• Work independently, with minimal guidance on day-to-day work and with general instruction on new assignments; coach and support colleagues with less experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required
• Minimum 5 years of experience in product/service development or instructional design
• Minimum 4 years teaching experience in K–12 education
• Superior written/oral communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills; able to mix easily and well with peers, subordinates, and senior management
• Adaptability and aptitude to learn new technologies to support content development and a willingness to lead others in adopting new technologies
• Strong project planning and operational skills (e.g. proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite)

Preferred Qualifications

• Management experience
• Experience in the Edtech industry
• 2 years experience leading or designing professional learning sessions for teachers
• Experience developing learning content in multiple modalities and using various design tools
• Knowledge of lean-agile product development
• Familiarity with design thinking methodology
• Knowledge of current trends, research, competitive products and instructional developments in professional learning and educational service delivery

ABOUT US:
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (NASDAQ:HMHC) is a global learning company dedicated to changing people’s lives by fostering passionate, curious learners. As a leading provider of pre-K–12 education content, services, and cutting-edge technology solutions across a variety of media, HMH enables learning in a changing landscape. HMH is uniquely positioned to create engaging and effective educational content and experiences from early childhood to beyond the classroom. HMH serves more than 50 million students in over 150 countries worldwide, while its award-winning children's books, novels, non-fiction, and reference titles are enjoyed by readers throughout the world.
For more information, visit http://careers.hmhco.com

PLEASE NOTE:
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt is an equal employment opportunity employer and participates in E-Verify. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of gender, race/ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, or other protected group status.