Instructional Designer

Founded in 1910 and located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Mount Royal University grew into a vibrant college in the 1930s and became a mid-sized university in 2009. Mount Royal has carved out a distinct niche by offering smaller class sizes, a robust liberal education and unique undergraduate programs. Currently, more than 15,000 credit students choose from 13 bachelor degrees and 36 majors.

Mount Royal University is located in the traditional territories of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and the people of the Treaty 7 region in southern Alberta, which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuut'ina and the Iyarhe Nakoda. We are situated on land where the Bow River meets the Elbow River. The traditional Blackfoot name of this place is "Mohkinstsis," which we now call the city of Calgary. The city of Calgary is also home to the Métis Nation.

Mount Royal University is committed to removing barriers and fostering the inclusion of voices that have been historically underrepresented or discouraged in our society. In support of our belief that diversity in our faculty and staff enriches the work, learning and research experiences for the entire campus community, we strongly encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply and self-identify.

The Academic Development Centre (ADC) work is guided by the strategic goals and priorities articulated in the University’s strategic and academic plans. Faculty members and professional staff in the ADC contribute to MRU faculty members’ professional learning experiences by supporting scholarly teaching, assessing learning, curriculum development and renewal, excellence in classroom communication and student engagement, and effective educational technologies. Over the recent academic year, the ADC was instrumental in supporting faculty across the university pivot to teaching in the remote environment.

As a member of the ADC Learning Technologies Group, the instructional designer works with faculty and staff to support the planning, design, and development of blended and fully online courses and learning materials. The incumbent uses their knowledge of learning theories, instructional strategies, educational technologies in order to provide advice to faculty based on best practice. Driven by their curiosity for the learning process the instructional designer engages in ongoing professional development to remain current and aware of emerging educational and online learning trends. Interpersonal skills are essential in this role, to bring together team members with a wide range of skills and knowledge and to ensure the success of each project.

This is a full-time continuing position. 

Please note that this is a primarily on-campus position that requires the incumbent be physically located in Calgary.

Manage eLearning Projects

• Support the timely completion of high-quality blended and eLearning courses and learning materials in MRU credit programs
• Draw upon recognized instructional design principles and models (e.g., ADDIE, etc.)
• Prioritize project components and resource development within timelines and available resources in the context of the full portfolio of projects
• Organize and chair project-related meetings
• Communicate team processes and key deadlines
• Monitor and report on the achievement of milestones and deliverables
• Maintain accurate records of original source files and project documentation, at sign off

Provide Instructional Design Consultation

• Support faculty and instructional staff in understanding and applying best practices in instructional design
• Provide evidence-based expertise on relevant topics including online and blended pedagogies, effective use of learning technologies, facilitating online instruction, techniques for engaging students in online contexts, etc.
• Provide suggestions and feedback to faculty who are developing, or seeking to improve, online and blended courses and learning materials
• Recommend strategies for the incorporation of media
• Refer faculty to additional supports as appropriate (e.g., ADC Sandbox, Academic Media Group, Student Learning Services, Library, etc.)

Lead Professional Development Initiatives for Faculty on Instructional Design Topics

• Enable faculty to make incremental improvements to their blended and online courses and learning materials
• Design and facilitate synchronous and/or asynchronous workshops
• Develop modularized and self-paced virtual training resources
• Conduct needs analyses, evaluate, and refine training materials and approaches

Community Engagement and Outreach

• Build rapport and collegiality with faculty to better understand their needs and ensure they are aware of the supports available to them
• Contribute to departmental communications initiatives, such as the bi-weekly newsletter
• Actively participate in teaching and learning related events on campus (e.g.,Celebrate!, a Teaching and Learning campus-wide event)
• Serve on relevant faculty and institutional committees and working groups as needed
• Seek out opportunities to network and build rapport with faculty

Ongoing Professional Development

• Maintain currency of expertise and be an authoritative voice on matters related to instructional design and online teaching and learning
• Engage in ongoing process to define and progress towards individual, professional learning goals
• Seek out and engage in relevant PD opportunities
• Share learning highlights with team and department colleagues

• Bachelor Degree in Education, Communication or other relevant area, however a graduate degree would be preferred
• 2 - 3 years of experience working within in a post-secondary context providing support to faculty
  • Equivalent combinations of education and relevant experience are valued and will be considered
• Experience in the application of instructional design theories and process models
• Skilled at designing and facilitating in person and online training
• Mastery of project management methodology and tools, including superior organizational and time management skills
• Use of educational technology and content authoring tools
• Aptitude and interest for working with and exploring new technologies
• Demonstrated interpersonal, communication, and conflict management skills
• Voicing opinions in a constructive, objective, and professional way that involves listening to and respecting the opinions and ideas of others
• Self-initiated leadership and professionalism that is consistent with, and demonstrates commitment to a team environment
• Flexibility and adaptability

All applicants selected for interview will be asked to provide a work sample.

Please note that there is a strong internal candidate for this position.

Talented and committed employees are the driving force behind student success. We strive to be an employer of choice among Canadian post-secondary institutions.

At Mount Royal University, we recognize that people are a combination of many intersecting identities; we work to cultivate an environment that welcomes the whole person, and harnesses the strength that is available in our diversity, creating a rich and inclusive workplace.

Investing in the learning and development of our employees benefits the individual and the University. A variety of services, resources and programs encourage a healthy, productive workplace. Mount Royal University offers a competitive total compensation package including health and dental benefits, pension, health and personal spending accounts, paid vacation, winter holiday closure, personal days and a free membership in our fully equipped recreation centre.

Our campus offers the convenience of a full medical clinic, dentist and pharmacy, as well as a variety of wellness services such as physiotherapists and massage therapists. Campus Recreation offers many activities, including personal training, climbing,
aquatics, sports and certifications for students, employees and the public.

Salary:                     $76,640.00 - $96,963.00 per annum

Closing Date:          May 10, 2024

A cover letter and resume should be submitted in one .pdf document. Please title your .pdf document as follows: [Last Name], [Requisition Number], [Document Title].pdf (ex. Smith, 999999, CV.pdf).

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens, permanent residents and others currently eligible to work in Canada will be given priority.

Recent Mount Royal graduates who are foreign nationals may be eligible to work on campus.  Please refer to the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website under Post-Graduation Employment at http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/index.asp .

If you require an accommodation in order to participate in the recruitment process, please notify [email protected] and we will work together on the accommodation request.