Learning Designer

Company Description

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Why join the Harvard Graduate School of Education?

The Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE) is a diverse community of learners, teachers, and employees who are passionate about changing the world through education and striving for maximum impact in the field of education.

Many choose to work at the Harvard Graduate School of Education because they believe in our mission and are excited by our vision for the future. We have a reputation as a great place to work, for our excellent leadership, and we are a strong community that values diversity. For more information about HGSE, its programs, research, and faculty, please visit: www.gse.harvard.edu.

Job Description

The Teaching and Learning Lab within Teaching and Learning at the Harvard Graduate School of Education is seeking a Learning Designer to lead the design and development of online courses. Under the direction of the Associate Director of Learning Design, the Learning Designer is a creative thinker who is able to envision technological solutions to instructional problems. The Learning Designer will be embedded in teaching teams as they work collaboratively to design and develop digital learning assets - from standalone learning units through fully online courses. The position involves close attention to detail, commitment to a rapid development mindset, and willingness to pitch in to move a project toward completion.

The Learning Designer will also lead projects from discovery through delivery, managing timelines, milestones, and stakeholder expectations to ensure high-quality learning solutions are delivered on schedule. This role coordinates cross-functional teams, tracks progress against project plans, and proactively identifies and mitigates risks. The Learning Designer is responsible for documenting requirements, organizing reviews and feedback cycles, and maintaining clear communication with sponsors and subject matter experts throughout the project lifecycle.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

Learning Design (30%)

• Analyze specific learning and teaching challenges with faculty, teaching fellows (TFs), departments, and executive education and advise on approaches to address these challenges
• Coach others on the process of learning design and best practices for online communication / collaboration and learning asset / digital content development
• Craft / coach the design of training materials and documentation for courses, departments, and executive education.

Project Management and Technical Expertise (50%)

• Manage complex projects by coordinating cross-functional teams, including online learning fellows, learning designers, and technology and media staff, while delegating tasks to ensure efficient execution.
• Oversee project workflows and quality control processes while meeting project milestones and delivering final outputs on schedule.
• Keep abreast of new developments in the area of responsibility, always with a focus on how that can enhance the HGSE environment.
• Work with the Associate Director of Learning Design to maintain the design portfolio of the team. Work to keep projects on task and on budget; elevate problem areas to senior leadership when required.
• Provide project leadership on digital asset creation projects, identify partners both inside and outside of the group, and maintain clear communication channels with all stakeholders.

Digital Asset Creation (20%)

• Develop / revise digital assets using HGSE-support authoring tools
• Build online / blended courses on multiple platforms.
• Develop training resources for teaching teams and online facilitators
• Liaise with learning technologists to explore integrations of 3rd-party or custom applications.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• Minimum of one year experience in an instructional technology/instructional design or related role (advanced degree may substitute for related experience).
• Experience in Project Management
• Candidates invited in for additional interviews may be asked to provide a current electronic portfolio of representative work samples
• Any candidate wishing to be considered must supply a cover letter in addition to their resume.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Master’s Degree.
• Experience using or authoring in a learning management system.
• Experience authoring in Storyline/Captivate or similar.
• Experience designing online instruction.
• Excellent writing and presentation skills
• Proven understanding of tools for teaching, including emerging technologies
• Ability to stay abreast of the changing educational technology landscape
• Ability to plan and meet deadlines
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively within work group and across departments

Additional Information

• Appointment End Date: 8/31/2028
• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
• Compensation Range/Rate (including Shift Differential if applicable): $76,000-$81,000, commensurate with experience.
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity and Education

Posted: 2026-06-06