Job Description - Director of Teaching & Learning Innovation (Director 2) (SCH00000172) Job Descri

Salary Range: 

Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications

About SMU

SMU’s more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University’s small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs.

SMU serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students through eight degree-granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Dedman School of Law, Perkins School of Theology and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies.

SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem – paired with entrepreneurial drive – creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.

Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU’s relationship with Dallas – the dynamic center of one of the nation’s fastest-growing regions – offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.

SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.

About the Department:

SMU’s Bobby B. Lyle School of Engineering, founded in 1925, is one of the oldest engineering schools in the Southwest. The school offers eight undergraduate and 29 graduate programs, including master’s and doctoral degrees, through the departments of Civil and Environmental Engineering; Computer Science; Electrical and Computer Engineering; Mechanical Engineering; and Operations Research and Engineering Management. Lyle students participate in programs in the unique Deason Innovation Gym, providing the tools and space to work on immersion design projects and competitions to accelerate leadership development and the framework for innovation; the Hart Center for Engineering Leadership, helping students develop nontechnical skills to prepare them for leadership in diverse technical fields; the Caruth Institute for Engineering Education, developing new methodologies for incorporating engineering education into K-12 schools; and the Hunter and Stephanie Hunt Institute for Engineering and Humanity, combining technological innovation with business expertise to address global poverty.

About the Position:

This role is an on-campus, in-person position.

The Director of Teaching and Learning Innovation will lead learning experience design for online, hyflex, hybrid, and other digital courses and programs across SMU Lyle School of Engineering.  Reporting to the Assistant Dean of Learning Innovation and Digital Education, this position drives the adoption of learner-centered instructional design approaches in the development of digital learning programs and courses, as well as assist in the Quality Matters implementation throughout SMU Lyle.  This role leads a team to include an instructional designer and video producer. 

Essential Functions:

• Leads the development and implementation of innovative teaching practices and curriculum design that align with Quality Matters standards.

• Works collaboratively with faculty, staff and students to design and implement effective teaching practices. Assists faculty in developing instructional strategies that align with learning objectives and engage learners. 

• Manages multiple projects simultaneously and ensures they are completed on time and within budget. 

• Along with the Assistant Dean of Learning Innovation and Digital Education, leads faculty development initiatives in relation to Quality Matters and innovative teaching practices.  Develops effective instructional materials for faculty training to ensure best practices and innovative teaching. 

• Provides guidance to faculty to ensure instructional materials are accessible and comply with accessibility guidelines.

• Stays up-to-date with the latest teaching and instructional design research, trends and academic technology. 

Qualifications

Education and Experience: 

A Master’s degree is required. A Doctoral degree is preferred. 

A minimum of five years of experience is required. Experience with designing courses for in-person and online and with Quality Matters and implementing QM standards in courses is preferred. Experience training instructors is also preferred. 

Quality Matters or other quality assurance certification is preferred.  

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies. Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills.

Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions. Must also have strong organizational, planning, project and time management skills.  

Candidate ability to develop curriculum and understand instructional design methodology and principles is essential. 

Candidate knowledge in accessibility guidelines in courses is a plus. 

Candidate familiarity with project management tools and Learning Management System (Canvas) is required. Knowledge of video editing is preferred. 

Physical and Environmental Demands:

• Sit for long periods of time
• Carry/lift 25 lbs.

Deadline to Apply:

This position is open until filled.

EEO Statement:

SMU will not discriminate in any program or activity on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression. The Executive Director for Access and Equity/Title IX Coordinator is designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies and may be reached at the Perkins Administration Building, Room 204, 6425 Boaz Lane, Dallas, TX 75205, 214-768-3601, accessequity@smu.edu.

Benefits:

SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefits. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.

SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.

The value of learning at SMU isn't just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities, including tuition benefits.