Instructional Designer

Title: Instructional Designer

Department: Programs

Reports to: Content and Learning Senior Manager

FLSA Status: Exempt

About the Organization

Over the years, Upwardly Global has supported thousands of immigrant and refugee professionals in transitioning from poverty or exclusion to quality, thriving-wage careers through its customized coaching program and holistic approach to integrating skilled immigrants into the US job market. Upwardly Global is a data-driven, innovative organization with a bold vision and a fearless spirit operating out of four major US markets and providing remote services to several parts of the country. It is unwavering in its commitment to a diverse and inclusive culture where every voice matters.

Position Overview

The Instructional Designer will work with subject matter experts, learners, and stakeholders to design, develop, and maintain instructional resources to support our service models. This position will collaborate closely with our Content and Learning Senior Manager, contributing critical instructional design skills to ensure that Upwardly Global is using the latest instructional technologies to remain at the forefront of online learning education. With excellent problem-solving and analytical skills, the Instructional Designer will also work closely with the IT and Product departments on version control and to keep our learning management system up and running smoothly to minimize any downtime that could negatively impact user access to learning resources.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Design and develop learning solutions in collaboration with the Content and Learning team and external vendor, leveraging our tech stack and templates and aligning with our instructional design theories, practices, and methods to create learning activities for adult learners that are engaging, activity-based, and results-oriented
• Partner with key stakeholders to bring an instructional perspective to defining goals, objectives, and expected outcomes of learning experiences for our main audiences (newcomers, coaches, volunteers, and corporate partners)
• Collaborate with subject matter experts on rapid review and iteration cycles of materials during development and in continuous improvement efforts
• Collaborate with Content and Learning Sr. Manager and Monitoring & Evaluation Director to draft and iterate on tools to track the outcomes of learning experiences (i.e. assessments, quizzes, rubrics, etc.)
• Collaborate with Content and Learning Sr. Manager in communicating to internal departments on completion status and status reports on departmental and organizational goals as well as milestones against funders and grants deliverables and deadlines
• Create instructional materials that satisfy the needs of a diverse set of learners and service delivery modalities (e.g. eLearning courses in Articulate, short videos or audio, reference guides and handouts, instructor-led live training decks, meeting agendas,templates)
• Collaborate with vendors on larger scale projects by mediating with internal subject matter experts on content drafting, instructional design choices, and reviews support
• Collaborate with Content and Learning team in evaluating, selecting, piloting and monitoring solutions for automation of immersive instructional practice and assessment evaluation through use of technology
• Directly develop and implement instructional resources tweaks and updates in continuous improvement cycles
• Provide  technical support for team members (coaches, account managers) involved in the delivery of content through live training or technology mediated learning
• Contribute to reference archive and documentation on instructional resources development by adding or updating references on frameworks, processes, and templates

Knowledge & Skills Required

• 5+ years of instructional design expertise and knowledge of adult learning principles is required (Principles of adult learning, Gagne, Bloom’s Taxonomy, Mayer's 12 Principles of Multimedia)
• Experience with e-learning authoring tools and learning management systems required (Articulate Rise or equivalent, Appinium or equivalent) and documents software (GSuite)
• Experience with Instructional Resources development best practices
• Ability to collaborate and work effectively with subject matter experts, internal stakeholders, and external vendors
• Experience designing courses for international audiences is a plus
• Experience implementing or developing learning solutions that integrate AI technology is a plus
• Strong project management skills and ability to communicate effectively both in verbal and written
• Creativity in designing engaging and interactive learning experiences
• Analytical, able to identify training needs and evaluate program effectiveness
• Ability to work independently and within a highly collaborative and fast-paced environment
• Demonstrate a growth mindset and desire to continuously improve in your work and approach
• Passion for UpGlo’s mission is essential

Software Proficiencies

• Proficiency with Articulate Rise required, Storyline a plus
• Familiarity with Learning Management Systems 
• Proficiency in MS Office or Google Suite
• Familiarity with Salesforce in general and/or Appinium in particular is a plus
• Project Management Tools (eg Asana) a plus
• Proficiency with basic PDF and graphic tools. Knowledge of basic video editing is a plus
• Familiarity with AI-supported learning solutions is a plus

Salary Range Disclaimer 

The base salary range represents the low and high end of the Indeed salary range for this position. Actual salaries will vary depending on factors including but not limited to location, experience, and performance. The range listed is just one component of Upwardly Global's total compensation package for employees. Benefits include paid time off policy, hybrid or remote work schedule, medical/dental/vision insurance, short term disability insurance, life insurance and retirement plan with employer match. 

Salary Range Transparency: 85,000- 95,000 per year 

Upwardly Global is deeply committed to building a workplace where inclusion is not only valued, but prioritized. We’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer, seeking to create a welcoming and diverse environment. 

Interested candidates should submit a resume and portfolio. 

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Upwardly Global is deeply committed to building a workplace where inclusion is not only valued but prioritized. We’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer, seeking to create a welcoming and diverse environment.