Job Description

How to Apply

A cover letter and resume are important submissions for the hiring team to get a sense of your experience. In the cover letter, in two pages or less, please let us know how this role aligns with your career aspirations and skill set. Submit both a cover letter and resume as one file (because of system limitations).

Summary

The Center for Academic Innovation (CAI) at the University of Michigan (U-M) is seeking a qualified Design Manager to facilitate the scoping, design, and development of online courses and other learning experiences. Acting as a skillful project manager, this role works to create consensus and communicate clear decisions among stakeholders such as CAI colleagues and U-M faculty members, while utilizing a balance of relationship management, creative problem solving, and risk management. This role will focus on online courses featuring emerging technology in Extended Reality (XR), Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR). The Design Manager will report to the Design Management Lead.

Mission Statement

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Learning and working in environments designed for equity and inclusivity are necessary for the U-M community to make progress on solving the problems that matter most to society. In addition to collaborating with faculty and staff on projects that explicitly focus on DEI, the Center for Academic Innovation uses inclusive design processes in all of our work. All interested applicants, including those from groups historically underrepresented in higher education, are encouraged to apply.

Who We Are

About the Center for Academic Innovation

The Center for Academic Innovation is where creativity, excellence, and the University of Michigan’s aspirations for societal impact combine to reimagine the future of higher education. Through curricular innovation, educational data and research, and educational technology, we position U-M as a global leader in academic innovation to create and inspire change in higher education and to reinforce an engaged and informed society.

About the Design Management Team

The Design Management team works as the project management arm within the online learning experience portfolio. We partner with our CAI colleagues, UM Faculty and Staff, and other internal and external stakeholders, to develop a wide range of online learning experiences, among other projects.

For more information, please visit our website: Academic Innovation.

Responsibilities*

• Manage the development of online courses by applying project management, communication, relationship management, design, quality assurance, and consultative skills in order to collaborate with faculty, internal course teams, administrators, platform partners, and other stakeholders.
• Manage course-level project tasks and oversee the timely execution and consistency of deliverables across the online learning portfolio, which may include open learning initiatives, online degree courses, credit pathway courses, and other associated courses.
• Work closely with a specialized team of CAI staff to develop and launch online courses featuring emerging technology in Extended Reality (XR), Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR).
• Work with CAI colleagues and partners to develop critical process documentation and project elements, including but not limited to: communication plans and timelines, faculty resources, online learning materials, marketing language, and other deliverables as needed.
• Manage and align diverse perspectives and relationships, including those of faculty partners, external partners and collaborators, CAI colleagues, and other U-M and external stakeholders.
• Organize, schedule, and lead a wide range of meetings, brainstorms, and events for individual initiatives.
• Ensure thoughtful and consistent alignment of projects with current practices across multiple domains, including copyright and accessibility.
• Coordinate policy documentation, including executing Memorandums of Understanding, amendments, and release and/or waiver forms.
• Hire and oversee students for individual projects, in consultation with faculty and school/college administration
• Coordinate and manage financial project components, including expense reimbursements and budget management
• Organize and build project elements into various platforms and learning management systems (e.g. Coursera or Futurelearn).
• Contribute to on-campus and external conversations about CAI’s work, particularly focused on XR-enabled online learning experiences and provide consultative support to potential partners on new ideas and proposals.

Required Qualifications*

• Bachelor’s degree and 3 or more years of related experience (educational project management, educational technology, instructional design, information science, or consulting)
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills demonstrated in communications and interactions with senior level professionals.
• Strong project management knowledge and skill set
• Enthusiasm for technology-enhanced learning, particularly around Extended Reality (XR), Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR)
• Ability to manage relationships with multiple stakeholders effectively and from a collaborative mindset
• Ability to manage workload under time constraints and conflicting priorities
• Ability to bring structure to ambiguous and innovative projects by organizing diverse teams, developing and executing robust timelines, and providing project-level support across the development lifecycle of an initiative.
• Excellent critical thinking and adaptability skills within a consultative environment
• Ability to work well in a multicultural and collaborative environment
• Strong commitment to problem solving, teamwork, and the ability to act independently
• Ability to analyze and align technology solutions with instructional needs, current educational and technological trends, and campuswide goals/priorities and infrastructure ? Proficiency in Google Workspace (specifically Google Docs, Sheets, Slides)
• Experience with work productivity and organization principles and tools, such as Trello
• Familiarity with: Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), online degrees and hybrid programs, Open Educational Resources (OER), Learning Management Systems (LMS) like Coursera, FutureLearn, edX, Canvas, and other educational platforms

Additional Information

• Please Note: This is a 3 year term limited position with the possibility of renewal depending on funding.
• Must have legal authorization to work in the United States.
• This is not a remote position and any adjustments to a standard in-person schedule will be discussed during the hiring process.
• The salary for this position will be based upon the selected candidate’s education and experience.
• Excellent benefits are available, for details, see http://benefits.umich.edu

Background Screening

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

Decision Making Process

Applications will be reviewed as received throughout the posting period and continue until the position is filled.

U-M EEO/AA Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

U-M COVID-19 Vaccination Policy

COVID-19 vaccinations, including boosters when eligible, are required for all University of Michigan students, faculty and staff across all campuses, including Michigan Medicine. This includes those working remotely. More information on this new policy is available on the Campus Blueprint website or the UM-Dearborn and UM-Flint websites.