Location: In Person in Colorado | Fully Remote in the following states: AZ, CA, FL, NY, TX, & VA
Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design (RMCAD) is an innovative, rigorous, and community-oriented learning environment that inspires critical thinking and prepares learners to make meaningful contributions to the creative industries, their communities, and the world. RMCAD was established in 1963 by Philip J. Steele, who envisioned providing students with a high-quality education in art and design. Since its modest beginnings, RMCAD has experienced significant growth and now thrives on a historic 23-acre campus with 16 buildings. The college has also been a pioneer in online art and design education and currently serves more than 2,000 students.
RMCAD is dedicated to living its mission and values, especially the principle that “Our Students Come First.” The college continuously partners with faculty and staff to cultivate a student-ready environment that supports learning, growth, and success. RMCAD fosters a dynamic academic and professional community that encourages creativity, collaboration, innovation, and the open exchange of ideas. We seek faculty and staff who are committed to academic excellence, student success, professional integrity, and preparing the next generation of creative professionals.
Position Summary
Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design (RMCAD) seeks qualified applicants for the position of Learning Experience Designer within the Learning Production team.
The Learning Experience Designer (LXD) serves as an architect of learning, combining design principles, educational theory, and innovative technologies to create engaging, effective, and inclusive learning experiences. LXDs design, develop, and evaluate courses and programs that align with institutional standards, accreditation requirements, and diverse learner needs.
The LXD serves as the project lead for assigned course development initiatives, partnering with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), faculty, academic leadership, and multimedia specialists to design, develop, revise, and implement high-quality online learning experiences that are aligned with course and institutional outcomes, pedagogically sound, accessible, and learner-centered.
The Instructional Designer is responsible for managing multiple concurrent course development projects from kickoff through launch, ensuring projects are completed on time, meet established quality standards, and align with institutional expectations for instructional excellence, accessibility, and learner engagement.
Successful candidates demonstrate strong instructional design expertise, project management skills, attention to detail, communication skills, and a commitment to delivering high-quality learning experiences.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Course Development & Learning Design
- Collaborate with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), faculty, Program Chairs, and academic leaders to design, develop, and revise online courses.
- Apply evidence-based instructional design principles including backward design and Universal Design for Learning to create engaging, inclusive, and learner-centered educational experiences.
- Align course content, learning outcomes, activities, and assessments to support student success.
- Assist SMEs in developing measurable learning objectives and effective assessment strategies.
- Design and implement course materials within the institution's Learning Management System (LMS).
- Incorporate multimedia, instructional technologies, and digital learning resources into course experiences.
- Support the development of faculty and SME training materials and instructional resources as needed.
- Participate in faculty development conversations and provide instructional design input on assessment design, learner engagement strategies, and the effective use of learning technologies.
- Engage in continuous improvement activities, integrating feedback and data to improve templates and process improvements.
- Apply established institutional course design standards and best practices.
- Design multimodal learning experiences including online, hybrid, classroom, simulations, and case-based formats.
- Stay informed on, provide input for, and integrate emerging learning modalities and innovative engagement strategies such as gamification, experiential learning, simulations, and collaborative tools.
- Participate in program-level curriculum conversations and contribute an instructional design perspective to discussions around curriculum maintenance, learning outcome alignment, course sequencing, curricular coherence, as well as strategic initiatives such as modality shifts and co-curricular integration.
Analysis & Needs Assessment
- Partner with faculty, SMEs, and program leaders to assess learning needs, performance gaps, and audience characteristics.
- Analyze learner data and feedback to identify opportunities for improvement.
- Translate institutional goals, accreditation standards, and business outcomes into actionable design strategies.
Project Ownership & Execution
- Independently manage assigned course development projects from initiation through implementation.
- Maintain project timelines, milestones, and deliverables to ensure projects remain on schedule.
- Coordinate activities among SMEs, multimedia specialists, faculty, contractors, and other stakeholders.
- Monitor project progress and proactively communicate risks, delays, or resource needs.
- Maintain accurate project documentation and development records.
- Ensure assigned projects are completed on time and within established scope.
- Demonstrate accountability and ownership for assigned projects and deliverables.
Quality Assurance & Course Readiness
- Conduct quality assurance reviews of course materials prior to implementation.
- Verify instructional accuracy, completeness, accessibility, functionality, and consistency across course experiences.
- Ensure student-facing content is free of errors, placeholder content, developmental notes, and incomplete materials.
- Review course content for alignment with institutional quality standards, accessibility requirements, and branding expectations.
- Collaborate with Student Disability Services and relevant stakeholders to support accessibility compliance, including Section 508 and WCAG standards.
- Identify and resolve issues related to course functionality, navigation, media integration, and instructional design quality.
- Support continuous improvement efforts related to course quality and learner experience.
- Apply institutional quality standards, including Quality Matters, OSCQR, and RMCAD Online Standards, to course reviews.
- Verify copyright compliance, intellectual property usage, and adherence to fair use and Creative Commons licensing.
Communication & Collaboration
- Build productive working relationships with SMEs, faculty, academic leaders, multimedia specialists, and other stakeholders.
- Communicate project updates, timelines, and progress regularly and professionally.
- Respond to requests, questions, and project needs in a timely manner.
- Participate actively in Learning Production meetings, planning sessions, and collaborative initiatives.
- Provide instructional design consultation and guidance to faculty and academic partners.
- Contribute positively to a collaborative, solutions-focused team culture.
Learning Technology & Production Support
- Utilize LMS platforms and instructional technologies to develop and maintain course materials.
- Support course revisions, updates, term-to-term maintenance, and content imports.
- Collaborate with multimedia specialists to integrate videos, graphics, interactive elements, and learning resources into courses.
- Troubleshoot course-related issues and coordinate solutions with appropriate stakeholders.
- Maintain organized project files, course assets, and production documentation.
- Stay informed regarding emerging instructional design practices, educational technologies, and learning experience trends.
- Utilize approved AI-enhanced workflows and emerging technologies responsibly and in alignment with institutional guidelines.
Competencies
Successful candidates will demonstrate:
Project Management
- Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and competing priorities.
- Strong organizational and planning skills.
- Ability to meet deadlines and maintain project momentum.
Communication
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders.
- Ability to communicate proactively regarding project status and challenges.
Instructional Design
- Knowledge of instructional design methodologies and adult learning principles.
- Ability to align learning objectives, assessments, and instructional activities.
- Commitment to learner-centered course design.
- Expertise in Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and user experience (UX) principles as applied to course design.
- Commitment to designing inclusive, learner-centered experiences that reflect diverse perspectives.
- Awareness of diverse learner needs and cultural considerations in course design.
Quality & Accountability
- Strong attention to detail.
- Commitment to quality assurance and continuous improvement.
- Ability to work independently and follow through on assigned responsibilities.
- Accountability for project outcomes and deliverables.
Qualifications
Required
- Bachelor's degree in Instructional Design, Educational Technology, Curriculum and Instruction, Learning Experience Design, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Minimum of two (2) years of experience designing and developing online learning experiences.
- Experience working with Subject Matter Experts and faculty partners.
- Experience utilizing Learning Management Systems (Canvas, Blackboard, Moodle, D2L, or similar platforms).
- Experience applying instructional design methodologies such as ADDIE, Backward Design, or similar frameworks.
- Strong project management and organizational skills.
- Excellent written, editing, and proofreading skills.
- Experience with accessibility standards and inclusive design principles.
- Strong interpersonal and customer service skills.
- Portfolio of instructional design work required.
Preferred
- Master's degree in Instructional Design, Educational Technology, Learning Experience Design, or a related field.
- 5+ years of relevant instructional design experience.
- Experience in higher education course development and/or teaching.
- Experience creating or integrating multimedia learning resources.
- Familiarity with quality assurance frameworks such as OSCQR, Quality Matters, or similar models.
- Experience using project management software and collaborative work management systems.
- Experience working with AI-supported instructional design workflows.
- Basic knowledge of HTML/CSS and digital content development tools.
- Proficiency with eLearning authoring tools (e.g., Articulate Storyline, Rise, Captivate). and multimedia production software (e.g., Camtasia, Adobe Creative Cloud).
Success in this Role
Success in this position is demonstrated through:
- Delivery of assigned course development projects on time and within scope.
- Consistent communication and collaboration with stakeholders.
- High-quality, learner-centered course experiences.
- Strong project ownership and accountability.
- Effective management of multiple concurrent projects.
- Adherence to institutional quality, accessibility, and instructional design standards.
- Positive contributions to Learning Production team effectiveness and student success.
Working Conditions + Physical Demands
The work environment is a typical office environment which may include moderate noise, some evening or weekend hours, confined workspaces, fast work pace with unscheduled interruptions, the need to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and extensive time sitting and working with computers. Occasional overnight travel required.
This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this classification. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. Management retains the right to add or change the duties of the position at any time.
Our Benefits:
- Time Off Package including paid vacation, sick and holidays
- Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
- Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance
- Basic Life & AD&D
- Short & Long Term Disability
- 401k employer match
- Tuition Assistance
- Other Voluntary Benefits Offered
Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
