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Instructional Design Associate Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

Build assessments, quizzes, and other instructional-design elements that measure whether the target ... Bachelor's degree or equivalent (minimum 12 years) work experience. (If Associate's Degree, must ...

The Onboarding Sr Associate plays a key role in the Development & Performance team at Crowe by ... Familiarity in instructional design considered an asset We expect the candidate to uphold Crowe ...

Execute contracts and agreements in compliance with administrative instructions and regulatory ... High School Diploma or equivalent required, associate or bachelor's degree in a design ...

Design Technician

Denver, CO · On-site

$24 - $25/hr

Execute contracts and agreements in compliance with administrative instructions and regulatory ... High School Diploma or equivalent required, associate or bachelor's degree in a design ...

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Instructional Design Associate information

What is the difference between Instructional Design Associate vs Instructional Designer?

AspectInstructional Design AssociateInstructional Designer
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in Education, Instructional Design, or related field; some roles may require certificationBachelor's or Master's degree in Education, Instructional Design, or related field; often preferred to have certifications like ATD or CPTD
Work EnvironmentEducational institutions, corporate training departments, e-learning companiesCorporate, higher education, e-learning development firms
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in organizations developing training materials, online courses, and educational contentDesigns comprehensive training programs, curriculum, and e-learning modules

Instructional Design Associates typically support the development of training materials under supervision, focusing on content creation and basic design tasks. Instructional Designers take on more complex project responsibilities, including curriculum development and instructional strategy. Both roles share similar credentials and work environments, but the Designer role involves higher-level planning and decision-making.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an instructional design associate, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Instructional Design Associate, you need a solid grasp of instructional design principles, adult learning theories, and often a related degree such as in education, instructional technology, or a similar field. Familiarity with e-learning authoring tools (like Articulate Storyline or Adobe Captivate), Learning Management Systems (LMS), and sometimes certifications such as ATD or CPLP are typically required. Strong communication, collaboration, and project management skills help you effectively gather requirements and work with subject matter experts. These competencies ensure the creation of engaging, effective learning experiences that meet organizational goals and learner needs.

What does an instructional design associate do?

An Instructional Design Associate supports the development of educational materials and learning experiences by assisting senior instructional designers in creating course content, assessments, and multimedia resources. They help ensure that instructional materials are engaging, effective, and aligned with learning objectives. Typical responsibilities include conducting research, organizing course materials, and assisting with the implementation of instructional technologies. This role often involves collaborating with subject matter experts, educators, and other team members to deliver high-quality learning solutions.

What types of projects do instructional design associates typically work on, and how do they collaborate with subject matter experts?

Instructional Design Associates often work on developing e-learning modules, instructor-led training materials, and blended learning solutions. They frequently collaborate with subject matter experts (SMEs) to gather content, ensure accuracy, and align learning objectives with organizational goals. This collaboration may involve interviews, feedback sessions, and iterative revisions to instructional materials. The role requires strong communication and project management skills to balance input from SMEs while adhering to deadlines and maintaining instructional quality.
What are the most commonly searched types of Instructional Design jobs in Colorado? The most popular types of Instructional Design jobs in Colorado are:
What cities in Colorado are hiring for Instructional Design Associate jobs? Cities in Colorado with the most Instructional Design Associate job openings:
Infographic showing various Instructional Design Associate job openings in Colorado as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, and 11% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution.

$120K - $140K/yr

Full-time

Posted 4 days ago


Colorado State University rating

6.7

Company rating: 6.7 out of 10

Based on 49 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

486th of 617 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Job Description

The Director of Learning Design serves as a strategic leader within the Division of Learning Innovation at Colorado State University, responsible for advancing the quality, innovation, and impact of learning experiences across online, hybrid, and in-person offerings. Reporting to the Senior Associate Vice President for Learning Innovation, this role leads a 30+ person team and translates institutional strategy into scalable, high-quality learning design practices.

The Division of Learning Innovation is a university-wide enterprise that connects CSU's academic excellence, workforce relevance, and land-grant mission to learners across Colorado, the nation, and the world. Through CSU Online, Professional and Continuing Education, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI), and Learning Innovation for Extension Programs, the division designs and delivers accessible, high-impact educational experiences across the learner lifecycle.

This position is based in Fort Collins, Colorado. Hybrid work arrangements may be available; however, regular on-site presence is expected to support team leadership, collaboration, and partner engagement. Occasional travel and evening/weekend work may berequired.

Essential Job Duties:
  • Lead and operationalize the strategic vision for learning design across the Division of Learning Innovation, aligning with CSU's Strategic Roadmap and growth goals.
  • Direct and develop a team of managers and learning design professionals, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
  • Establish and implement standards for course design, accessibility, and quality assurance across all learning modalities.
  • Translate emerging trends in pedagogy, learning science, and educational technology into actionable design practices and scalable solutions.
  • Build and maintain strategic partnerships with academic colleges, IT, faculty, and external stakeholders to advance learning innovation.
  • Oversee planning, prioritization, and execution of learning design projects to ensure alignment with divisional goals and timelines.
  • Manage budget, staffing strategy, and investment in educational technologies to support sustainable growth and impact.
  • Represent Learning Innovation in campus-wide and external forums, contributing to institutional strategy and national conversations on teaching and learning.
Supervision:
  • Senior Managers and Managers, Learning Design
  • Program Coordinators, Learning Design
  • Indirect supervision of Instructional Designers, Media Production staff, and related roles
Conditions of Employment:
  • Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires).
  • Must have a valid driver's license or the ability to obtain a driver's license or access to a licensed driver by the employment start date.
  • Must be legally authorized to work in the United States; visa sponsorship is not available.
  • Occasional travel and flexible work hours, including evenings and weekends, may be required.
Minimum Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree
  • 8+ years of progressively responsible experience in instructional design, educational technology, or related field.
  • 3+ years of experience managing teams and/or managers.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead strategic initiatives with cross-functional or institutional impact.
  • Experience translating strategy into operations with measurable outcomes.
Preferred Qualifications:
  • Familiarity with Quality Matters, WCAG accessibility standards, and universal design for learning.
  • Experience applying emerging technologies (e.g., AI, adaptive learning) to educational design.
  • Master's degree in instructional design, education, or related field.
  • Experience in higher education, particularly online and hybrid learning environments.
  • Demonstrated success building partnerships and influencing across complex organizations.
Application Instructions:

For full consideration, allmaterials must beRECEIVEDinWorkdayno laterthan 11:59 PM Mountain Time onSunday, August 16, 2026. Pleasesubmitthe following to apply:

  • Resume
  • Cover letter addressing how professional experiences align with identified required and preferred qualifications of the position

For questionsregardingthe job vacancy, responsibilities, pay rate, please contactMorgan Taylor at morgan.taylor@colostate.edu.

Salary Range$120,000-$140,000Required Application Documents

To apply, please upload the following applicant documents. Ensure your materials fully address the required and preferred job qualifications of the position. Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.

Cover Letter, Resume/CV Employee Benefits

Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it's a thriving community that's transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance,CSUis where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.

  • Review our detailed benefits information here.

  • Explore the additional perks of working at CSU here.

  • For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator.

  • Lastly, click here for more information about why Fort Collins is consistently ranked in the top cities to live in!

Background Check Policy Statement

Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations,CSUconducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

EEO

Colorado State University (CSU) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.


What Colorado State University employees say

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About Colorado State University

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Colorado State University is one of the nation’s top public Tier 1 Research universities and an institution on the rise. Our Ram success is driven by an ambition to be excellent in all we do combined with an unparalleled location that is one of the fastest-growing and most vibrant areas in the country. CSU is a higher education destination for working and learning for faculty, staff, and students from across Colorado, the nation, and around the globe. CSU has produced record enrollment in the past decade, built on all-time highs in student diversity and student success, experienced record fundraising and research expenditures that keep hitting new highs year-after-year, and our faculty are known nationally and internationally for their groundbreaking research. Among other recognition for research and creative scholarship, CSU was recognized in 2022 as one of 10 top research institutions in the world contributing to solving the COVID pandemic. CSU is thriving, with a five-year average enrollment of more than 33,400 students. The record-setting 2022 incoming class of 5,517 students reflects 25% from diverse populations and 24% who were first in their families to attend college. CSU graduates find success with 85% securing a job related to their career plans within six months of graduation. More than nine out of 10 Rams would select CSU again, demonstrating the quality of the campus and learning environments.

Industry

Education

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Fort Collins, CO, US

Year founded

1870

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