About the Job
The University of Minnesotaâ™s Earl E. Bakken Center for Spirituality & Healing seeks a full-time (100%) director of the Learning Resources Group.

This position offers a dynamic mix of strategic planning and execution in the design, development, and delivery of the Bakken Centerâ™s 75+ academic courses and various business development, continuing education, and community outreach programs across multiple delivery formats and platforms, including Coursera. Responsibilities include: 1) serving as a unit-level leader; 2) managing the Learning Resources Group (LRG); 3) consulting on academic curriculum and course design; 4) creating and delivering faculty development and resources; 5) designing, developing, and implementing business development and community outreach courses, programming, and resources; and 6) engaging with and contributing to professional learning communities within and beyond the University.

Key Responsibilities:

Academic Curriculum and Course Consultation (25%):

• Advise on scope and sequence of degree/certificate programs and content focus areas
• Conduct market analyses and focus groups as needed to guide curriculum priorities
• Set priorities, focus, and timeline for faculty course consultation cycles
• Manage the design of courses, including learning objectives, university outcomes, and assessment plans in accordance with best practices as defined by University policy, UMN CEI,
  CSPH Faculty Handbook, professional communities of practice, and catalog requirements 
• Make recommendations for courses and programs to ensure: a) Alignment of assessment plan to learning objectives and outcomes; b) Clarity of instructions; c) Equitable, objective
  assessment strategies; d) Student workload; e) Instructor presence; f) Collaborative and active learning; g) Other relevant standards and practices that support wellbeing, maximize learning,
  and enhance user experience for all students.
• Develop unit-wide learning technology and digital accessibility strategies and advise on course and program-specific implementation.
• Serve as member of the Education, Policy, and Curriculum Committee (EPCC) and consult as needed on decisions regarding academic courses 

Faculty Development and Resources (10%)

• Collaborate with the Academic Programs team to onboard new faculty, determine needs for instructor development, and identify initiatives to support student success.
• Determine annual themes and strategy for in-person and online professional development opportunities on critical topics including but not limited to teaching, learning, assessment,
  instructional technology, accessibility, inclusion, equity, diversity, belonging, and student mental health and wellbeing.
• Create and deliver faculty development based on set themes and strategy.
• Coordinate with Academic Programs team on faculty meeting content, structure, and delivery and integrate relevant guest speakers from around the University into faculty sessions.
• Develop, distribute, and maintain effective proactive and just-in-time faculty support resources (Canvas site, LRG newsletter, job aids/documents, etc.) 
• Oversee initiative to share and implement the Wellbeing Enhances Learning (WEL) model within the Center and across the UMN system. Business Development and Community Outreach 

Courses, Programming, and Resources (25%):

• Work with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to conduct needs analyses, then develop learning objectives, instructional strategies, assessment plans, and content.
• Analyze, design, develop, implement, and evaluate learning products (courses, modules, websites, webinars, supplemental materials, job aids, etc.) for various audiences, programs, and
  platforms.
• Direct the development of assets, coordinating with Business Development/Community Relations and Communications teams. 
• Produce and direct instructional videos (plan shoot, hire talent and equipment, direct shoot, direct editing decisions).
• Conduct or advise on implementation and quality assurance (style guides, templates, proofreading, formatting, etc.).
• Assist with program and outcome evaluation as needed.
• Manage the overall development and maintenance of CSH courses and specializations in Coursera.
• Engage with UMN Office of Distributed Learning to advance new initiatives/opportunities in Coursera.

Unit-Level Leadership (10%)

• Collaborate with other Center staff and faculty to: 1) develop unit-level strategic plan based on University systemwide goals; 2) identify new opportunities for the Bakken Center to enhance
  individual and community wellbeing for students, faculty, staff, and communities in Minnesota and beyond; and 3) develop strategic partnerships across the University and external
  communities and organizations.
• Represent the LRG and Bakken Center in work with other University groups and departments.
• Act as main contact with Academic Technology Support Services (ATSS), the Office for Digital Accessibility (ODA), and the Provostâ™s office.
• Engage in committees and other opportunities at the University level to enhance the Centerâ™s
  work.

LRG Management (25%)

• Identify and assign staff and other resources that allow CSH to create effective online courses and other products that address strategic goals and market opportunities.
• Develop and manage a high-performing instructional design team.
• Create annual workplans for Learning Resources Group aligned to unit strategic plan.
• Set priorities for projects, timelines, and tasks, with an emphasis on flexibility to respond to emerging new opportunities
• Manage project deliverables, timelines, and budgets.
• Develop sustainable approaches for maintaining products and assets

Professional learning communities within and beyond the University (5%)

• Keep up-to-date on educational frameworks, instructional technologies, and recommended
  practices.
• Integrate current trends into personal work and faculty development.
• Develop articles and presentations to share CSH learning innovations within and beyond the
  University.

Qualifications:
All required qualifications must be documented on application materials.

• Bachelorâ™s degree in education, instructional design, learning technology, communications, or other related field and four (4) years relevant experience; or masterâ™s degree plus two (2) years relevant experience.
• Familiarity with tools/platforms used in Center courses or similar equivalents. Examples include Canvas, Zoom, Google Apps, Kaltura, Flip, VoiceThread, Turnitin, Coursera, Google Sites, Destiny One, etc.
• Basic HTML, graphic design, and video production skills.
• Editing, proofreading, and quality assurance skills.
• Demonstrated experience in:
  • Designing effective in-person, hybrid, and online courses, including the ability to write
    and edit learning objectives and assessment plans
  • Integrating recommended practices in instructional technology, pedagogy, accessibility,
    inclusion, equity, diversity, belonging, student mental health and wellbeing into designs
  • Managing, prioritizing, and adjusting multiple simultaneous projects and initiatives
  • Working independently, with excellent time management and dedication to deadlines
  • Supporting end users with a wide range of skill levels

Preferred Qualifications:
Strong candidates will have some, but not necessarily all of these skills, experiences, and credentials.

• Masterâ™s or doctorate in education, instructional design, learning technology, communications,
  or other related field.
• 5+ years of related experiences in areas including but not limited to teaching, instructional design, learning technology, UX/UI design, communications, and technical writing.
• Advanced programming, graphic design, and video production skills.
• Proficiency with designing content in Articulate 360, Adobe Captivate, or other rapid authoring tools.
• Demonstrated experience in:
  • Teaching and training faculty in all aspects of curriculum and course design
  • Applying instructional design-related technologies, processes, systems, and recommended practices in an educational setting
  • Relevant professional certifications/training (e.g. Quality Matters, ACUE, Google Certificates, Adobe Certified Expert, VoiceThread Certified Educator, etc.)

About University of Minnesota Twin Cities

The University of Minnesota, founded in the belief that all people are enriched by understanding, is dedicated to the advancement of learning and the search for truth; to the sharing of this knowledge through education for a diverse community; and to the application of this knowledge to benefit the people of the state, the nation, and the world.

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