Job Title: Instructional Designer
Location: Ft. Worth, TX
Job Type: Full-time, Exempt
Department: Online Learning
Reports To: AVP for Academic Administration
Date: 01/08/2026 Last Revision
Standard of Christian Commitment
The candidate must be a professing Christ follower who possesses a strong commitment to the mission and core values of Southwestern Seminary and Texas Baptist College, possess a clear understanding of Southern Baptist heritage and culture, and agrees to serve in accordance with and not contrary to the current edition of the Baptist Faith and Message.
Southwestern Seminary, an entity of the Southern Baptist Convention, is a confessional institution. While the Seminary serves the larger evangelical Christian community, employees must embrace the values and standards the Seminary represents as it fulfills its mission of shaping Christian leaders within our denominational context.
Since duties of this position require the employee to represent the Seminary to prospective and current students, candidates must abide by the Seminary bylaws, the Employee Handbook, and the current edition of the Baptist Faith and Message as a condition of employment.
Job Description
Job Summary
The Instructional Designer supports Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary’s mission by partnering with faculty to design, develop, and continuously improve high-quality online and hybrid courses that serve students preparing for Christian ministry and academic scholarship. This position applies sound instructional design principles, learning theories, and best practices in online pedagogy to create engaging, accessible, and effective learning experiences in Canvas. The Instructional Designer evaluates course effectiveness using assessment data, course analytics, and learner feedback, and develops recommendations for course improvements in coordination with School deans. This position also remains current with emerging trends in instructional design and educational technology to support continuous improvement and innovation in online learning.
Key Responsibilities:
- Designing and developing online courses in Canvas using sound instructional design methodologies.
- Collaborating with faculty to engage student learning objectives, select appropriate technologies, and develop interactive, media-rich content.
- Supporting faculty training and adoption of online teaching best practices.
- Evaluating course effectiveness and recommending improvements based on assessment data and learner feedback to School deans for implementation.
- Staying current with trends in instructional design, educational technology, and online pedagogy.
- Coordinate with faculty and teaching assistants on best practices in online course design.
Qualifications and Skills
- Bachelor's degree with preference in Instructional Design, Education, or a related field; Master's degree preferred from a Seminary context.
- Experience in instructional design and development in a higher education setting preferred.
- Understanding of learning theories, instructional design models, and best practices.
- Proficiency in using Learning Management Systems (LMS), in particular Canvas.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for collaborating with diverse groups.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
- Experience in curriculum development and assessment of learning outcomes preferred.
- Successful completion of background check, education verification, work verification and credit check may be required.
- Ability to provide valid proof of identity and Work Authorization in the U.S.
Physical Requirements
- Works in an office environment.
- Sits for extended periods of time.
- Uses near-visual acuity in reading written documents and statistical data.
- Uses keyboard devices and a computer monitor.
- Utilizes analytical capabilities to gather data, provide support and resolve conflicts.
- Exchanges information by telephone, computer, in writing and in person.
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary will reasonably accommodate qualified individuals with a disability so they may perform the essential functions of a job unless doing so causes a direct threat to these individuals or others in the workplace and the threat cannot be eliminated by reasonable accommodation or if the accommodation creates an undue hardship to the institution. Contact human resources (HR) with any questions or requests for accommodation.
About Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, established in 1908 under the visionary leadership of B.H. Carroll, was born out of the urgent need for trained ministers in America’s rapidly growing Southwest. Initially part of Baylor University, the seminary became an independent institution in Waco before relocating to Fort Worth in 1910. Carroll’s unwavering commitment to orthodoxy, gospel-centered education, and the Great Commission shaped the seminary’s mission. Training God-called men and women for ministry, Southwestern has an expansive academic program training pastors, missionaries, and ministry leaders in theology, missions, evangelism, music and worship, and education. Today, it stands as a beacon of faithfulness, equipping generations to serve Christ’s church globally.
What We Offer
Provided Benefits:
Southwestern offers a best in class benefit package which includes family medical, family life insurance, long-term disability, 10% retirement contribution, HSA contributions, 3 weeks of paid time off, and 14 holidays.
Voluntary Benefits:
Southwestern offers access to voluntary products such as dental, vision, additional life insurance, HSA contributions, Flex accounts, retirement contributions, short term disability, personal accident, critical care, hospital indemnity, identity theft protection and pet insurance at reduced group rates for employees and their dependents.
Campus Amenities:
Our work environment benefits from a 37.5-hour workweek which upholds a Standard of Christian Commitment and enjoys a beautifully maintained campus free parking for full-time employees, access to our libraries, recreation and aerobics center, medical clinic, cafeteria and coffee shop, faculty and staff meal plans, and Employee Tuition Benefit (up to 50% discount).
