Director of Learning Experience and Design

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Job Summary:
The Director of Learning Experience and Design serves as a key senior member of the Professional Education (PPE) team at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. The Director joins the Portfolio Director (PD) team and reports to the Senior Portfolio Director. In this critical leadership role, the Director manages the Learning Experience and Design (LXD) team of learning designers and learning technologists to drive the strategic development and continuous improvement of high-quality, learner-centered programs and extensions, focusing primarily on online, hybrid, and on-demand. The Director collaborates closely with the other Portfolio Directors, faculty, practitioners, and external partners to ensure the design and implementation of innovative learning experiences that align with HGSE’s mission and advance its positive impact on the education sector.

The Director oversees the program design process—including instructional design and course development—and provides leadership in identifying and adopting new educational technologies and best practices. They will be responsible for developing and leading a team of learning designers and technologists to ensure adequate support for a growing online portfolio of program offerings. In addition to direct personnel management, the Director helps shape PPE’s online program strategy and processes, champions continuous improvement, and upholds rigorous quality and accessibility standards across all program modalities. The ideal candidate is an experienced people manager and project lead with a strong track record managing technical teams; demonstrated expertise in project management, instructional systems design, and vendor/contractor management; and a proven ability to lead the design, development, and implementation of professional learning solutions for education practitioners.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

Program and Course Design Leadership (40%)

• Lead the creation, implementation, and continuous improvement of instructional design standards, processes, and practices across the PPE portfolio.
• Serve as the primary liaison with HGSE faculty, Portfolio Directors, and subject matter experts to translate learning goals into compelling, research-informed learning experiences.
• Oversee learning design for online, blended, and on-demand programs for professional educators, ensuring alignment with adult learning principles and instructional best practices.
• Lead the integration of innovative learning technologies and multimedia resources to enhance the engagement and effectiveness of PPE programs, courses, and extensions.
• Serve as an administrative leader of a portfolio of programs and related professional development opportunities designed to support educational leaders across the US and globally.

Team and Project Management (30%)

• Direct, manage, and mentor the LXD team of learning designers and technologists, supporting their growth and ensuring high performance across multiple, concurrent projects.
• Allocate LXD team resources proactively across the department to meet portfolio and program priorities, adapting and reassigning dynamically as needed. Delegate tasks and foster collaboration and professional development within the team.
• Proactively assess projects to identify when additional technical support is needed and clearly determine when to engage external resources including external contractors, vendors, or specialty experts—to successfully meet scope, schedule, and quality requirements.Recruit, hire, and manage those positions to complete the projects successfully.
• Work with the Senior Portfolio Director to ensure the team is equipped with the necessary resources and support to achieve their objectives. Collaborate with the Teaching and Learning Lab (TLL) to share resources and co-develop programs.
• Oversee LXD project timelines, budgets, and deliverables, maintaining effective communication with stakeholders and ensuring projects are completed on schedule and within budget.
• Manage video and media production teams and contractors, both within HGSE and elsewhere, to achieve high quality within budget.
• Instill a deadline-driven, data-informed, and results-oriented team culture focused on program quality and learner outcomes.

Program Quality Assurance, Delivery, and Assessment (20%)

• Partner with PPE’s Program Delivery team on online programs to ensure that the staff are trained, the learners have a seamless experience, and the Delivery team can incorporate their feedback into program improvements.
• Partner with PPE’s Insights & Impact (I&I) team to develop and implement program evaluation frameworks and to monitor and improve the efficacy of learning experiences. Collect and analyze data on in-course participant engagement to inform rapid-cycle improvements and promote best-in-class program quality.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure accessibility, inclusivity, and consistency across all program designs and delivery modalities.
• Contribute to the strategic direction of PPE’s learning design and technology portfolio, participating in leadership discussions and long-term planning.
• Stay abreast of trends in learning design, educational technology, generative AI, and professional learning for educators, assessing and integrating relevant innovations.
• Partner with the TLL, degree programs, and other HGSE units to develop courses, adopt technologies, and share learning assets.

Manage Accreditation Process (10%)

• Manage and implement the organization-wide accreditation process, including drafting and submitting IACET annual reports.
• Keep abreast of any new or updated IACET standards, educate PPE stakeholders and update PPE’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to remain in alignment with evolving standards.

Basic Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in education, instructional design, learning science, or a related field.
• Minimum of five years of relevant work experience in instructional design or learning design, including at least three years in a supervisory or team leadership role managing instructional technologists and/or learning designers.
• Demonstrated expertise in course design and instructional design models, including experience with learning management systems (Canvas or comparable platform).
• Experience and skills in adopting and applying emerging educational technologies, multimedia, and generative AI to course development.
• Proven project management experience leading complex, multi-stakeholder projects to successful, on-time completion.
• Any candidate wishing to be considered must supply a cover letter in addition to their resume.  Please upload both as one document. 

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Doctoral degree (Ed.D. or Ph.D.) preferred.
• Experience leading professional development or adult learning program design in higher education or K-12 settings.
• Strong track record of fostering staff development and building cohesive, collaborative teams.
• Experience with learning analytics, assessment methodologies, and using data to inform program improvement.
• Experience working with faculty, school leaders, and subject matter experts.
• Ability to plan, prioritize, and manage multiple competing projects in a dynamic, deadline-driven environment.
• Strong commitment to accessibility, inclusivity, and universal design for learning.
• Familiarity with the changing landscape of professional and online education.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
• Compensation Range/Rate (including Shift Differential if applicable): $90,000 - $105,000 commensurate with experience
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity and Education

Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 058. Please visit  Harvard's Salary Ranges  to view the corresponding salary range and related information. 

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to: 

• Generous paid time off including parental leave 
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one 
• Retirement plans with university contributions 
• Wellbeing and mental health resources 
• Support for families and caregivers 
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement 
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks 

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page. 

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.