The Instructional Design (ID) Director will lead, manage and direct a team of internal Instructional Design Leads and external partners and consultants. The ID Director will ensure the appropriate implementation of the overall Instructional Design and pedagogical quality for all Houghton Mifflin Harcourt digital products. This includes the instructional and other elements of programs such as assessment, Learning Management System (LMS) integration (prescription logic), lesson plans, print, etc. This leadership position requires a high degree of flexibility and frequent communication.

Responsibilities

• Oversees the definition and translation of all digital product’s instructional design
o Works closely with the VP, Digital Content Product Development to understand, communicate, and translate instructional requirements into effective learning designs.
o Oversees validation efforts including analysis of standards and fit with predominant approaches and resources (i.e. U.S. textbooks, etc) used in the classroom.
o Serves as point of contact to cross functional team for all educational related product topics
o Inspires confidence of cross-functional team with the ability to integrate educational requirements into the product design
o Takes an active role in innovation, submitting ideas and evaluating opportunities

• Works with VP, Program and Project Managers and Functional Leads to scope, resource, and plan projects and to execute design and production activities that deliver on schedule, quality, and business requirements.
o Oversees the creation of clear guidelines and specifications per development handbook. Signs off on all guidelines and specifications.
o Sets the high-level direction, creates/reviews checklists, and works with Program and Project Managers to align review structures to ensure partner Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) meet the pedagogical goals and ensure accuracy.
o Sets and applies standard procedures
o Ensures the creation of appropriate training materials and conducts training for internal and external audiences
o Monitors all areas of product design: art, audio, interactivities to ensure that integrity of instructional design is maintained
o Reviews third party execution of design and provides feedback and contributes to finding solutions for any instructional design related problems
o Manages multiple projects simultaneously. Flexible and able to shift focus as necessary and to anticipate and mitigate issues

• Work with design partners, design colleagues, SMEs, product managers, program and project managers, and other key stakeholders to ensure efficient and effective development.
o Evaluates potential partners for instructional alignment with program design and development needs
o Diagnoses risks and escalates both risks and mitigation strategy recommendations
o Provides specific information relating to schedule, budget, and quality standards for specific projects and across the department.
o Collaborates to ensure design, creation, and production processes minimize risk and meet internal resource, time, and budget constraints

• Manages Instructional Design department.
o Hires and manages lead instructional designers – full time and contract.
o Plans, assigns, and directs work; appraises performance; rewards and disciplines employees; addresses complaints and resolves problems.
o Supports team in prioritizing job functions, creating and maintaining schedules, working with outside vendors as well as other departments, staying within department budget, and working as a team.
o Respects strengths and abilities of colleagues. Manages and mentors staff to ensure professional growth and product quality.
o Sets appropriate expectations and delivers to those expectations.
o Displays flexibility, ingenuity, and teamwork. Is adaptive.
o Manages and leads ongoing guidance, support and mentoring of internal staff influencing content development.
o Displays commitment towards ongoing professional learning (own and team)
Skills and Experience
Essential
• Minimum five years experience managing a team
• Relevant Third Level Qualification
• Three to five years teaching, educational experience, or experience in working on programs or projects intended for kids aged 5-14
• Proven ability to mentor and manage others
• Capacity to be self motivated, and to work with and motivate a variety of technical and creative individuals
• Excellent communication and organization skills
• Attention to detail and ability to be highly process orientated
• Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines with good quality, and highlight risks at early stages
• Ability to delegate and manage either freelance, partner, or staff team members
• A commitment to excellence
• A passion for creating learning products, an understanding of the audience and how they learn
Desirable
• U.S. teaching experience
• Strong design/aesthetic sensibilities
• Masters degree in Education
• Experience developing interactive software for learning.
• Specific experience in developing learning products for the U.S. market preferred.
• Membership in key professional organizations and a clear commitment to staying abreast of trends and movements in teaching and learning.

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt is committed to a comprehensive policy of Equal Opportunities and we aim to create a workplace which provides for equal opportunities for all employees and potential employees

Contact careersdublin@hmhpub.com