Department
UCP Teaching & Learning
About the Department
Job Summary
Reporting to the Director of Teaching and Learning, the Assistant Director will ensure that learning content is accurately configured, tracked, and continuously improved on Canvas. They will also work closely with partners to ensure that the LMS runs smoothly and provides a seamless user experience from course access to completion. This position requires a passion for learning design for professional, adult audiences. The ideal candidate will be able to think creatively about course delivery across a variety of modalities, audiences, and formats, and bring an energetic, solution-focused mindset to the team.
Responsibilities
- Designs and develops engaging online, hybrid, and in-person learning experiences grounded in adult learning theory, instructional design best practices, and accessibility standards.
- Partners with faculty, instructors, and subject matter experts to design innovative learning activities, assessments, and instructional materials that support defined learning outcomes for online, hybrid, and in-person learning experiences.
- Consults with instructors and program teams to implement course revisions and continuous improvements based on learner feedback and program goals.
- Designs, administers, and analyzes course evaluations and learner surveys to assess learner satisfaction and provides recommendations that enhance course design, delivery, and learner outcomes.
- Ensures course materials meet accessibility standards, such as WCAG, institutional guidelines, and quality assurance expectations.
- Coordinates the planning, publishing, maintenance, and lifecycle of certificate programs and courses in Canvas and resolve delivery issues prior to course releases.
- Conducts quality assurance (QA) reviews in Canvas to ensure course content is accurate, functional, accessible, and aligned with established quality standards.
- Develops, documents, and maintains standards, policies, procedures, templates, and quality control checklists that support consistent, high-quality course delivery.
- Identifies opportunities to streamline workflows, improve production processes, and increase operational efficiency across course development and delivery.
- Collaborates with cross-functional teams to align LMS functionality with evolving instructional, operational, and learner experience needs.
- Evaluates new Canvas features, integrations, and educational technologies, recommending enhancements that improve instructional quality, learner engagement, and operational effectiveness.
- Maintains accurate documentation and tracking systems to support course production, revisions, and ongoing program maintenance.
- Monitors and analyzes trends, identifies opportunities, and explores innovative approaches to teaching and learning problems. Works with other units across campus to aggregate services in an academic context.
- Identifies existing content and converts it into an e-learning environment, then creates user support materials.
- Performs other related work as needed.
Minimum Qualifications
Education:
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
Work Experience:
Certifications:
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Preferred Qualifications
Education:
- Master's degree.
- Post-graduate education in learning design or instructional services.
- Background in creating learning materials and/or teaching in higher education institutions.
- At least three years of related work experience in learning design and delivery.
- At least three years of related work experience in a relevant setting for a company, university, or a complex organization.
- Highly skilled project manager comfortable with multitasking and multiple deadlines.
Technical Skills or Knowledge:
- High levels of proficiency with learning technology tools such as Canvas.
- Solid digital communications skills.
- Proficiency in Microsoft 365.
- Skilled in conducting quality assurance testing.
- Understanding of reporting and analytics for eLearning activities.
Preferred Competencies
- Pursue program excellence and optimization.
- Excellent organizational skills and a keen attention to detail.
- Maintain an optimistic outlook and creatively marshal resources to achieve results amidst challenging circumstances.
- Strong interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence.
- Work both independently and collaboratively, with flexibility and adaptability.
- Creative, solutions-focused person who demonstrates initiative by suggesting different approaches, ideas, and options
- Balance multiple competing priorities without disruption of efficiency.
- Comfortable with ambiguity and working in situations when all the answers aren’t clear.
- Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting skills.
- Interpret data and generate actionable insights.
- Organized, detail-oriented, and responsive to learner and team needs.
- Strong communication skills.
Working Conditions
- Produce work outside of standard business hours, on occasional evenings and weekends.
Application Documents
- Résumé/CV (required)
- Cover Letter (preferred)
- References Contact Information (3) (preferred)
The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.
When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.
Job Family
Role Impact
Scheduled Weekly Hours
Drug Test Required
Health Screen Required
Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
Pay Rate Type
FLSA Status
Pay Range
The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.
Benefits Eligible
The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.
Posting Statement
The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.
Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.
All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.
The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.
Skills Required
- College or university degree in a related field
- 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline
- Master's degree
- Post-graduate education in learning design or instructional services
- Experience creating learning materials and/or teaching in higher education institutions
- At least three years of related experience in learning design and delivery
- At least three years of related experience in a relevant company, university, or complex organizational setting
- Project management experience with multitasking and multiple deadlines
- Proficiency with Canvas and learning technology tools
- Digital communications skills
- Proficiency in Microsoft 365
- Quality assurance testing skills
- Understanding of reporting and analytics for eLearning activities
What We Do
The University of Chicago is an urban research university that has driven new ways of thinking since 1890. Our commitment to rigorous inquiry and intellectual freedom draws pathbreaking scholars to our global campuses, where field-defining ideas are born that challenge and change the world. The University of Chicago has its main campus on Chicago's South Side and seven international campuses and centers throughout the world. Students can choose from 53 majors and 47 minors in the undergraduate College, with four divisions and seven professional schools for graduate study.
