Learning Design Specialist

Role Overview

Learning Design Specialist at Ajman University. This is a faculty development and instructional design role based on campus.

Role Purpose

Partner with faculty and subject matter experts to design, develop, and continuously improve engaging, effective courses aligned with institutional standards and best practices. Provide strategic consulting, professional development, and coaching to enhance teaching and learning across the institution.

Key Responsibilities

Course Design & Development

• Collaborate with faculty and subject matter experts to design and develop engaging and effective courses.
• Apply evidence-based instructional design models (ADDIE, SAM, Backward Design) to create course structures, learning outcomes, instructional materials, and authentic assessments aligned with institutional standards.
• Review and enhance existing courses to ensure alignment with best practices, accreditation standards, and inclusive teaching principles.
• Develop and share templates, frameworks, and best practices with the teaching community.

Faculty Development & Workshops

• Design and deliver workshops, seminars, and short courses for faculty on pedagogy and learning theories, classroom facilitation techniques, learning design principles, assessment strategies and feedback methods, and use of educational technologies and digital tools.
• Provide individual consultations and coaching to faculty on teaching practices and course development.

Continuous Improvement & Innovation

• Collect and analyze feedback from faculty and students to inform continuous improvement in teaching and learning.
• Keep abreast of emerging trends in instructional design, learning technologies, and higher education teaching innovation.
• Pilot and recommend new approaches to enhance student learning and faculty teaching effectiveness.

Collaboration & Integration

• Collaborate with librarians, multimedia specialists, and IT teams to design integrated learning experiences.
• Contribute to the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) through internal and external presentations and knowledge sharing.

Project Management

• Manage multiple projects, ensuring quality and timely delivery.

Qualifications & Experience

• Master's degree in Education, Educational Technology, Instructional Design, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in learning design and faculty development within higher education.
• Demonstrated experience in designing and facilitating professional development sessions or workshops for faculty in both Arabic and English.
• In-depth knowledge of instructional design models, adult learning principles, and pedagogical frameworks.
• Experience with quality assurance frameworks (for example, Quality Matters).
• Experience in designing competency-based and/or experiential learning programs.

Skills & Competencies

• Ability to translate pedagogical theory into practical, faculty-facing training and support.
• Familiarity with accessibility standards (WCAG) and inclusive design practices.
• Proficiency with Learning Management Systems (Moodle) and authoring tools (Articulate, H5P, Captivate).
• Strong facilitation, presentation, and coaching skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in a diverse academic environment.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Collaborative and proactive approach to problem-solving.
• Commitment to continuous professional development.

Additional Information

• Work is performed in a typical interior environment on campus; remote work is not permissible.
• No or very limited physical effort required.
• No or very limited exposure to physical risk.
• Reports to: Director, Teaching and Learning Center (TLC).
• No supervisory responsibilities.