Independent Contractor Instructional Designer Jobs

The Office of Digital Learning (ODL) is a dynamic unit that supports innovation and teaching excellence at the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business. ODL partners with faculty to design engaging learning experiences, advance online and hybrid education, support executive education initiatives, integrate accessibility best practices, and provide instructional design expertise that enhances course and program quality.

Position Summary

The Instructional Designer (ID) collaborates with faculty, academic directors, and Office of Digital Learning staff to design, develop, and enhance learning experiences for executive education programs, online courses, hybrid courses, and face-to-face instruction.

The successful candidate applies instructional design theory to practice while serving as a trusted consultant to faculty. This position emphasizes curriculum planning, faculty coaching, workshop design, course development, and continuous improvement of teaching and learning. The Instructional Designer independently manages multiple projects, analyzes instructional challenges, recommends solutions, and works collaboratively to support innovative educational experiences. The Instructional Designer promotes evidence-based teaching practices and effective use of educational technologies, supporting both in-person and online learning environments

• Partner with faculty and academic directors to design engaging, learner-centered educational experiences.
• Consult with faculty to organize content into effective instructional sequences, learning activities, and assessments.
• Assist faculty in developing learning objectives, instructional materials, participant guides, agendas, and course resources.
• Coach faculty on instructional strategies that support learner engagement in online, hybrid, face-to-face, and executive education settings.
• Foster productive relationships with faculty while supporting innovative approaches to teaching and learning.

• Work collaboratively with instructional designers, faculty, and subject matter experts to design, develop, revise, and manage course and workshop development projects.
• Partner with Executive Education faculty to develop high-quality workshops, including instructional agendas, participant activities, facilitator guides, and supporting materials.
• Review courses and instructional materials for alignment with established quality standards.
• Assist faculty in building and maintaining courses within Canvas, including course organization, templates, assessments, instructional materials, and educational technology integration.
• Process requests related to course reviews, content transfers, accessibility accommodations within the LMS, and other instructional design services.
• Design and redesign learning experiences for online, hybrid, and face-to-face delivery using evidence-based instructional practices.
• Collaborate in the development and deployment of multimedia learning resources, including instructional videos, podcasts, and other digital learning materials.
• Assist with basic video editing and media processing for online and executive education programs.

• Assist with collecting and analyzing instructional and project data to support continuous improvement initiatives.
• Develop tutorials, knowledge base articles, videos, and other resources that support faculty adoption of educational technologies.
• Participate in quality assurance reviews and recommend improvements to instructional materials and learning experiences.
• Maintain accurate documentation of consultations, projects, and work activities.
• Utilize databases, survey tools, and other systems for project tracking and reporting.

Preferences:

• Master's degree or doctoral coursework in Instructional Design, Educational Technology, Curriculum and Instruction, Higher Education, or a related field.
• Experience supporting executive education, faculty/teacher professional development, or higher education programs.
• Knowledge of experiential learning, project-based learning, and adult learning principles.
• Experience using Canvas Learning Management System.
• Experience with educational media production or basic video editing or strong willingness to learn media and educational technology.
• Demonstrated commitment to outstanding customer service through collaboration, consultation, communication, and responsiveness.
• Commitment to continuous improvement and innovation in teaching and learning.
• Ability to foster faculty enthusiasm and confidence in the effective use of instructional technologies.

Physical Demands:
Ability to lift ten lbs
Licenses/ Certifications:

N/A

Required Application Materials:

Cover Letter, Resume, List of three references

Best Consideration Date:

July 24, 2026

Posting Close Date:

N/A

Open Until Filled:

Yes

Additional Information:

Position targeted for September 2026 start date.

This is an hourly contract position with benefits eligibility through direct pay. $36.00. Compensation is commensurate with experience and qualifications.