University of Chicago logo

Assistant Director, Teaching and Learning

University of Chicago

Chicago, ILHybridPosted 52 days ago$68,000.00 - $80,000.00
Full TimeMid LevelOthers / Cross FunctionalAcademic
Original posting ↗

Summary

We are seeking an Assistant Director of Teaching and Learning to join our Program Strategy and Innovation team. Responsibilities will include overseeing course production and delivery operations on the learning management system (LMS), Canvas; executing new programs; and customizing existing ones for different formats. This role will also involve collaborating with learning designers, instructors, and partners to design engaging in-person and hybrid courses guided by adult learning principles. 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.

Job description

Job Summary

We are seeking an Assistant Director of Teaching and Learning to join our Program Strategy and Innovation team. Responsibilities will include overseeing course production and delivery operations on the learning management system (LMS), Canvas; executing new programs; and customizing existing ones for different formats. This role will also involve collaborating with learning designers, instructors, and partners to design engaging in-person and hybrid courses guided by adult learning principles. 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: Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Preferred Qualifications

Education: Master's degree. Post-graduate education in learning design or instructional services.

Experience: 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.

Requirements

  • College or university degree in related field
  • 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline
  • Master's degree (preferred)
  • Post-graduate education in learning design or instructional services (preferred)
  • Background in creating learning materials and/or teaching in higher education institutions (preferred)
  • At least three years of related work experience in learning design and delivery (preferred)
  • At least three years of related work experience in a relevant setting for a company, university, or a complex organization (preferred)
  • Highly skilled project manager comfortable with multitasking and multiple deadlines (preferred)
  • 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

Benefits

  • Health insurance
  • Retirement plan
  • Paid time off

Company overview

The University of Chicago is a world-renowned private research university founded in 1890 and located in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood. As a premier academic institution, it operates one of the most comprehensive biomedical research enterprises in the United States through its Biological Sciences Division, which includes over 1,100 faculty members across 10 basic science and 14 clinical departments. The university manages extensive research infrastructure including the University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center, multiple specialized research institutes, and maintains affiliations with Argonne National Laboratory and Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory. With research funding exceeding $450 million annually and more than 3,300 patents filed since 1987, the institution is a global leader in scientific discovery and innovation. The Biological Sciences Division alone supports over 500 research-active faculty who secure an average of $588,000 in NIH funding per principal investigator, focusing on areas including cancer biology, immunology, microbiology, molecular metabolism, neuroscience, and evolutionary biology. The university's commitment to interdisciplinary research and its unique position as manager of national laboratories creates unparalleled opportunities for translational research and scientific advancement.

Explore more jobs of your matchFind more biopharma roles with GetBioJob.