Learning Designer (Online) in Aberystwyth

Learning Designer (Online)

The Learning Designer will play a key role in the design, development and continuous enhancement of high‑quality online programmes delivered through Aber Online, Aberystwyth University’s online learning provision.

The role holder will work closely with academic colleagues, professional services and external specialists, applying evidence‑informed learning design principles to create engaging, inclusive and academically rigorous digital learning experiences.

Responsibilities

• Learning Design & Curriculum Development
• Collaborate with university staff to design and redevelop online modules and programmes, ensuring constructive alignment between learning outcomes, learning activities and assessment.
• Apply appropriate learning design frameworks and online pedagogical approaches, including active learning, assessment for learning and student engagement at scale.
• Digital Content Development & Educational Technologies
• Design, build and enhance digital learning content using authoring tools such as Articulate Rise to support high‑quality, structured online learning.
• Advise academic staff on effective use of Articulate Rise, including content structuring, narrative flow, interaction design and learner engagement.
• Ensure that content produced using Articulate Rise is accessible, responsive and aligned with Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles.
• Work with the University’s VLE Canvas to integrate authored content effectively into module delivery.
• Digital Pedagogy & Innovation
• Provide expert advice on digital pedagogy and the effective use of learning technologies to enhance online learning and teaching.
• Evaluate emerging tools, approaches and practices in online education, contributing to innovation within Aber Online where appropriate.
• Promote inclusive, student‑centred approaches to learning design across all Aber Online provision.
• Quality Assurance & Enhancement
• Ensure that online modules and programmes meet Aberystwyth University’s academic quality standards, internal policies and relevant external benchmarks.
• Contribute learning‑design expertise to module and programme approval, review and revalidation processes.
• Use student feedback, evaluation data and, where appropriate, learning analytics to inform continuous enhancement of online provision.
• Academic & Professional Support
• Work collaboratively with university colleagues, adopting a consultative and partnership‑based approach to course development.
• Contribute to staff development activities, guidance materials and resources related to online learning and teaching.
• Collaboration & Project Working
• Work as part of the wider Aber Online team, including academic leads, project management, learning content specialists and external partners.
• Contribute to project planning, development timelines and delivery milestones for online programme development.
• Liaise effectively with central professional services (e. g. quality assurance, accessibility, IT, marketing and student journey) to support a coherent learner experience.

Essential Qualifications

• Postgraduate qualification or equivalent professional experience in education, learning design, instructional design or a related field.
• Demonstrable experience of designing online and/or blended learning in a higher education context.
• Experience working collaboratively with academic staff to support curriculum development and enhancement.
• Strong understanding of online pedagogy, learning design principles and assessment design for higher education.
• Practical experience of using Articulate Rise (or comparable rapid authoring tools) to develop structured, accessible online learning content.
• Experience working with a VLE to support and deliver online modules.
• Knowledge of accessibility, inclusive learning and UDL in digital education.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively across academic and professional teams.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet agreed deadlines.
• Commitment to own professional development.
• Oral and written Welsh Level A0, or an awareness of the procedures in place to support working bilingually.

Desirable Qualifications

• Experience supporting fully online degree programmes or large‑scale online provision.
• Familiarity with UK higher education quality assurance processes.
• Experience using learning analytics or evaluation data to inform learning design decisions.
• Experience working with Articulate 360 in a collaborative development environment.
• Oral and written Welsh Level B1.
• More information on Welsh language levels can be found at: https://www. aber. ac. uk/en/hr/policy-and-procedure/welsh-standards/

Benefits

• Flexible working policy
• Hybrid working
• 36.5‑hour week for full‑time roles
• Generous leave entitlements – 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays and university closed days
• Commitment to professional development
• Enhanced contribution to our workplace pension schemes
• Staff recognition and reward schemes
• Opportunity to learn the Welsh language for free
• Staff relocation bursary
• Maternity, paternity, parental and adoption leave
• Staff discount for gym facilities, hospitality and retail on campus.

Employment Visa: This role does not meet the criteria to be sponsored by Aberystwyth University under the UK Government’s points‑based system scheme.

Aberystwyth University is committed to equal opportunities and welcomes applicants from all backgrounds, with particular encouragement from those who are currently under‑represented in our workforce, including Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, candidates with disabilities and female candidates.

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