Instructional Designer I

Salary Range: The salary range for this position is $51,200-$70,000, with an expected starting salary between $51,200-$62,000, based on experience and qualifications. Human Kinetics is headquartered in Champaign, IL. This position is eligible for on-site, hybrid, or fully remote work. Remote workers may not reside in the following locations: CA, CO, Washington, D.C., HI, MA, Montgomery County, MD, MN, NJ, NM, NY, RI, & WA. Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time. Applicants are not obligated to disclose expunged juvenile records of adjudication, arrest, or conviction as part of the application process. *Learn more about our perks and benefits here: https://us.humankinetics.com/pages/human-kinetics-compensation-benefits-information Human Kinetics is committed to building a more diverse workforce. We welcome BIPOC candidates and others who identify with underrepresented groups to apply. Human Kinetics is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Human Kinetics will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact 1-217-403-7543. Human Kinetics Compensation & Benefits Information Our compensation philosophy is to value the contributions of all HK employees and to reward exceptional performance exceptionally. To do that, we provide a standard increase to all HK staff, and we award merit increases and bonuses to people who make extraordinary contributions to the work we do. Job Summary: As a member of the E-Learning and Assessment Department, the Instructional Designer I is the ProdDev expert responsible for applying learning science and other related disciplines to the design and development of learning products. These products may include comprehensive ancillary suites supporting textbooks as well as standalone digital courses and other instructional offerings that provide high-quality learning experiences for instructors, students, and professionals seeking information about physical activity and sport. Working collaboratively with authors, subject matter experts, editorial staff, and publication services partners, the Instructional Designer I leads the instructional design of these products. Essential Functions Lead the instructional design and development of assigned learning products, including standalone digital courses and instructional offerings to support textbooks. Act as primary contact person for authors, acquisitions editors, editorial staff, and other HK staff on assigned projects. During the acquisitions or writing stages, collaborate with acquisitions staff, editorial staff, authors, and other stakeholders to conceptualize projects. Provide acquisitions staff with accurate guidance about the time and cost required to implement project objectives. Develop prototypes or proofs of concept when appropriate and provide examples from inside or outside of HK to show possible approaches to meeting project objectives. Develop clear and effective author or subject matter expert writing instructions for instructor- and student-facing ancillary materials, taking into account the agreed upon scope and timeline for the project. Analyze textbook content, learning activities, assessment materials, and descriptions of media across assigned learning products in each assigned suite, and thoughtfully articulate recommendations that improve engagement, effectiveness, accessibility, and instructional alignment within established timelines and budget parameters. Ensure assigned ancillary or course projects demonstrate sound instructional structure and organization, tone and content appropriate for the intended audience (students and instructors), and clear alignment between learning objectives, instructional activities, and assessment strategies. Ensure all components are pedagogically sound, coherent across formats, and consistent with established HK standards and templates. Provide instructional feedback to authors and subject matter experts when needed to ensure pedagogical effectiveness, diversity and inclusiveness, accessibility compliance, and adherence to HK quality standards. Collaborate with editorial staff (Development Editors, Managing Editors, Production Editors) to ensure ancillary cross-references are integrated within the book and accurately reflect the ancillary content. Review marketing promotional copy as requested to ensure descriptions of ancillaries are accurate. Collaborate with ELAD Project Lead and editorial staff as needed to ensure milestone dates for ancillary projects align appropriately with textbook schedules. Identify items that need permission in assigned materials, obtain source information from the author or subject matter expert, and collaborate with Production Editor or Permissions Manager to ensure timely resolution according to established procedures. If needed, work with authors or subject matter experts to rework items that need permission in an effort to avoid costly permission fees. Ensure projects are properly revised, accurate, and complete before initiating the copyediting phase. Select or conceptualize media elements that appropriately support instructional objectives. Follow established procedures for requesting art, photos, design elements, audio, video, animations, and other graphics or media items from colleagues throughout Product Development, including working with Production Editors to ensure the accurate tracking of media, AI-generated items, and permissions items in the art/photo database. After copyediting, build and refine a wide range of learning products using established departmental tools, templates, procedures, and guidelines. With supervisor guidance, recommend refinements or deviations when project needs warrant adaptation. During production stages, consider evolving accessibility guidelines for digital content and collaborate with HK teammates to apply accessibility standards appropriately based on delivery format and project scope. Document accessibility compliance following established procedures. Make corrections and revisions accurately based on reviewer comments and product testing and revision procedures. Contribute to HK’s profitability by working productively and ensuring assigned project timelines and budget expectations are met. Suggest improvements to ELAD processes or systems to increase efficiency and promote innovation as product needs evolve Secondary Functions As assigned, write well-written, discerning test items to assess comprehension/mastery of course learning objectives. Integrate artificial intelligence (AI) technologies into the instructional design process to increase productivity and enhance the development of effective and accessible learning products. Keep informed of publishing technology and educational technology trends, developments, tools, and techniques. Job Qualifications Education: Bachelor's degree in education, instructional design, educational technology, information systems, sport sciences, or a related field required. A Master's advanced degree in instructional design, educational technology, or curriculum development, or related field preferred. Required Experience: 2+ years of professional experience in instructional design or learning product development. Candidates may be asked to submit a recent portfolio or work sample. Demonstrated knowledge of learning design principles grounded in cognitive psychology and related disciplines. Experience designing instructional materials aligned with defined learning objectives and assessment strategies. Experience collaborating with authors, subject matter experts, or cross-functional teams in the development of learning materials. Familiarity with digital accessibility guidelines and standards for online content. Experience using instructional design tools, content development software, or learning management systems. Preferred Experience: Experience developing instructor-facing materials such as guides, assessments, or presentation materials. Experience contributing to both print-supported and digital-only learning products. Experience with digital accessibility and usability standards/specifications, including Section 508, WCAG, ARIA, WAI-ARIA, EN 301 549, or related specifications. Experience integrating artificial intelligence (AI) tools into instructional development workflows. Required Competencies HK Values: Integrity Resourcefulness Effort Respect Teamwork Stewardship Plus ProdDev Competencies: Accountability Adaptability Attention to detail Computer literacy Decision making Financial awareness Functional expertise and usage Planning and organizing Quality orientation Results orientation Stress tolerance Plus Instructional Designer I Competencies: Conceptual thinking Innovation orientation Interpersonal understanding Oral communication Organizational awareness Persuasiveness Self-confidence Written communication Preferred Competencies Customer focus Initiative External (strategic) awareness Organizational awareness Strategic thinking Technology expertise and usage Data gathering and analysis Leadership Job Demands: Office Equipment: Frequent Windows computer use. Occasional Mac use. Occasional telephone use. Mental Demands: Frequent problem-solving, data interpretation, organization, time-management, reading, and writing. Occasional decision making. Working Conditions: Indoor, office environment. Physical Demands: Frequent sitting, typing, and seeing. Occasional standing, hearing and talking. Other Duties: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.