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Ohio State University

Senior Instructional Designer

🇺🇸 Columbus, Ohio 🕑 Full-Time 💰 $59K - $72K 💻 Instructional Design 🗓️ October 31st, 2026
Higher Ed

Edtech.com's Summary

Ohio State University is hiring a Senior Instructional Designer. The role leads the design and revision of asynchronous online courses for working-adult students at Ohio State Online, the university’s online education unit within Professional and Continuing Education, in partnership with instructors and educational technology colleagues. The designer works largely independently, using course design principles and project management to build courses that meet program goals, compliance requirements, and best practices in online teaching.

Highlights
  • Lead the design and revision of asynchronous online courses optimized for working-adult students, in partnership with Ohio State instructors and educational technology colleagues.
  • Co-facilitate collaborative course design and development through one-on-one consultation, grounded in compliance requirements, program goals, and evidence-based online pedagogy and andragogy.
  • Collaborate with instructors from online programs across the Columbus and regional campuses while representing Ohio State Online with stakeholders university-wide.
  • Work independently with general guidance, as part of an agile team of instructional design specialists supporting multiple course and program projects through to on-time completion.
  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience, plus four years of experience in online or blended course design, curriculum development, or faculty development.
  • Proficiency with learning management systems, including analytics and reporting, and with course development tools, digital video, audio, graphics, and learning objects.
  • Knowledge of online design standards and faculty training strategies, with the project management skills to meet course production timelines.
  • Master's degree and four to eight years of relevant experience preferred.
  • Target hiring range of $58,700 to $72,000 for a full-time, 40-hour first-shift position on the Columbus campus.
  • Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage, 11 paid holidays, and a state retirement plan with generous employer contributions.

Senior Instructional Designer Full Description

Job Title:
Senior Instructional Designer
Department:
Ohio State Online | Professional and Continuing Education

The Senior Instructional Designer is a member of Ohio State Online who creates online learning opportunities and evidence-based programs, courses, and support services consistent with the University’s academic plan for distance education enrollment growth. The work is integral to Ohio State’s workforce development mission, and the role will change how Ohio State delivers education and will impact a world of diverse learners. This is an exciting opportunity to be at the forefront of shaping online program education for one of the largest and best-ranked land-grant universities—an economic engine for the State of Ohio and beyond.
The focus of this position is to lead the design and revision of asynchronous online courses, optimized for working-adult students, in partnership with Ohio State instructors and educational technology colleagues. The Senior Instructional Designer will employ expertise in one-on-one consultation techniques, course design principles, and project management approaches to co-facilitate collaborative course design and development based on compliance requirements, program goals, and evidence-based principles of effective college teaching and online pedagogy/andragogy.
Much of the daily work in this role is done independently with general guidance and feedback. Because of the seniority of experience, the Senior Instructional Designer is expected to successfully collaborate with instructors from online programs across the university while aligning their work to organizational objectives. The person in this role represents Ohio State Online with stakeholders across Ohio State and interacts with instructors across academic and support units on the Columbus and regional campuses concerning their instructional support design to achieve goals.
The Senior Instructional Designer participates on an agile, effective team of instructional design specialists serving multiple course and program projects. In an ever-changing higher education landscape, employees are flexible, innovative, and adept at developing solutions. A successful candidate is a self-motivated worker who works effectively independently and as part of a team, supporting projects to achieve on-time completion, gathering consensus, and conveying information in simple, clear language appropriate to the audience.
Members of the team must demonstrate good judgment and alignment with the university’s Shared Values. A generally positive, friendly, collaborative demeanor is sought.
This description is representative of the expected role, and other duties may be assigned to benefit the organization and university.
Supervisory responsibilities: 0 total staff

Required Education:
Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
Required Experience:
Years of relevant experience required: 4. Experience must include online/blended course design, curriculum development, faculty development or other related area. Must be proficient in various technologies used in the instructional/graphic design and assessment process. Experience with learning management systems, including analytics and reporting functions. Experience with course development tools, online educational technologies, digital video, audio, graphics, and learning objects. Experience with standards for online instructional excellence, online learning best practices, recognized online design standards, faculty support and training strategies, and overall project management for meeting course production timelines and deadlines.
Desired Education:
Master's degree
Desired Experience:
Preferred minimum years of relevant experience: 4-8

Additional Information:
The target hiring range for this job profile is $ 58,700- 72,000. The actual salary paid to an individual will vary based on multiple factors, including but not limited to, education, years of experience, internal equity, etc.
Function - Education
Sub Function - Instructional Design
Band - Individual Contributor - Specialized
Level - S3
Location:
Mount Hall (0311)
Position Type:
Regular
Scheduled Hours:
40
Shift:
First Shift

Final candidates are subject to successful completion of a background check. A drug screen or physical may be required during the post offer process.
The university is an equal opportunity employer, including veterans and disability.

Starting day one: Comprehensive benefits.
Ohio State benefits give you options to take care of what matters most to you — and opportunities to make adjustments as your life and needs change, including:
  • Medical, dental and vision coverage, with Ohio State paying a significant portion of the cost.
  • Paid time off, including sick and vacation time and 11 holidays.
  • State retirement plan or an alternative retirement plan, both with generous employer contributions.