Senior Director, Learning Experience Design Strategy

Located where the Great Plains meet the Rocky Mountains the University of Denver embodies the spirit of exploration and discovery that defines our region and our history. DU is a private institution built on exploration through research and collaboration among educators students and local and global communities. With nationally recognized academic programs a history of widespread influence a forward-looking vision for a 21st-century education and a deep commitment to promoting inclusion we open a world of opportunity to students and empower Pioneers to make a difference around the world. Through learning scholarship and practice students gain the experience knowledge and courage they need to tackle big challenges in the real world and guide diverse communities and organizations.

The University of Denver is a top-ranked university that is dedicated to the public good. The institution provides hands-on learning experiences and is committed to a four-dimensional student experience base on exploring character pursuing careers and lives of purpose advancing intellectual growth and promoting well-being. The University of Denvers College of Professional and Professional Studies PSC is a leader in adult education providing fully accredited and affordable educational experiences specifically designed for busy adults.

Position Summary

The Senior Director of Learning Experience Design provides visionary leadership for transforming educational delivery through AI-powered innovation market-responsive curriculum design and strategic product development. This role spearheads the comprehensive overhaul of both credit and non-credit learning products to ensure market relevance competitive positioning and exceptional student outcomes in the evolving landscape of adult education. Working at the intersection of educational strategy emerging technology and market intelligence this position drives institutional transformation while maintaining academic rigor and accessibility for diverse adult learner populations. This position reports to the Dean and works collaboratively with senior leadership across the university. The role includes direct supervision of the Learning Experience Design team while serving as a strategic partner in institutional planning and market positioning initiatives.

Essential Functions

Strategic Leadership & Innovation (30%)

• Educational Product Strategy: Lead comprehensive analysis and redesign of all learning products (credit and non-credit) to ensure market competitiveness incorporating industry trends employer demands and emerging skill requirements
• AI Integration Leadership: Forge implementation of AI-powered tools across curriculum design personalized learning pathways automated assessment systems and adaptive content delivery to enhance learning outcomes and operational efficiency
• Market Positioning & Competitive Analysis: Conduct ongoing market research and competitive intelligence to identify opportunities for new program development curriculum modernization and strategic partnerships that maintain institutional leadership in adult education
• Cross-Institutional Collaboration: Partner with university leadership academic departments and external stakeholders to align learning experience strategy with institutional goals and market demands

Team Leadership & Organizational Development (25%)

• Strategic Team Management: Supervise and develop the Learning Experience Design team establishing performance metrics professional development pathways and innovation initiatives that position the team as institutional thought leaders
• Budget & Resource Management: Oversee comprehensive budget planning for learning experience initiatives including technology and AI investments staff development contract management and grant funding opportunities
• Change Management Leadership: Guide organizational transformation initiatives related to educational technology adoption pedagogical innovation and process optimization across all learning delivery modalities
• Talent Development Strategy: Develop and retain top-tier instructional design and educational technology talent while fostering a culture of continuous innovation and data-driven decision making

Curriculum and Instructional Innovation & Development (20%)

• Learning Product Overhaul: Direct comprehensive redesign of existing programs and development of new learning products that address evolving market needs incorporating micro-credentials stackable certificates and industry-aligned competencies
• AI-Enhanced Curriculum Design: Implement AI and machine learning technologies to create adaptive learning experiences predictive analytics for student success and personalized content delivery systems
• Quality Assurance & Assessment Innovation: Establish next-generation quality standards that incorporate AI-powered assessment tools real-time feedback systems and competency-based evaluation methods
• Adjunct Faculty Development & Management: Drive adjunct faculty development and community initiatives that enhance adjunct effectiveness engagement and adaptability across credit and non-credit programs by building responsive sustainable frameworks that equip instructors to leverage emerging technologies address evolving workforce demands and implement flexible teaching strategies that attract and retain students in a competitive enrollment landscape.
• Inclusive Design Leadership: Ensure all learning products incorporate universal design principles accessibility standards and culturally responsive pedagogical approaches that serve diverse adult learner populations

Technology Strategy & Operations (15%)

• Educational Technology Vision: Develop and implement comprehensive technology strategy for learning delivery including learning management systems AI tools virtual reality applications and emerging educational technologies
• Data Analytics & Performance Optimization: Leverage advanced analytics predictive modeling and AI insights to continuously improve learning outcomes retention rates and student satisfaction across all programs
• Platform Integration & Automation: Oversee integration of multiple technology platforms to create seamless learning experiences while implementing automation solutions that enhance efficiency and reduce manual processes
• Innovation Research & Development: Stay current with emerging educational technologies conduct pilot programs for new tools and methodologies and establish partnerships with EdTech companies and research institutions

External Engagement & Thought Leadership (10%)

• Industry Partnership Development: Cultivate strategic relationships with employers industry associations and professional organizations to ensure curriculum relevance and create pathways for student career advancement
• Conference Presentation & Research: Represent the institution at national conferences publish research on educational innovation and establish the university as a thought leader in AI-enhanced adult education
• Grant Development & External Funding: Identify and pursue funding opportunities for educational innovation initiatives technology implementation and research projects
• Alumni & Community Engagement: Develop strategies for ongoing engagement with graduates and

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

Strategic & Leadership Competencies

• Proven ability to lead organizational change initiatives and manage complex multi-stakeholder projects in higher education environments
• Experience developing and implementing strategic plans that align educational innovation with market demands and institutional goals
• Strong background in budget management resource allocation and team leadership in academic or corporate training environments
• Proven track record of leading successful organizational change initiatives
• Experience leading learning product development in competitive market environments

Technical & Innovation Skills

• Demonstrated experience with AI tools educational technology platforms and data analytics
• Advanced knowledge of AI applications in education learning analytics and emerging educational technologies
• Experience with learning management systems educational data analysis and technology integration strategies
• Experience with Canvas LMS API integrations and learning analytics platforms
• Understanding of curriculum development methodologies instructional design principles and adult learning theories
• Excellent project management and budget oversight capabilities

Communication & Collaboration

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with ability to present complex ideas to diverse audiences including faculty administrators and external stakeholders
• Demonstrated ability to build consensus manage competing priorities and facilitate collaboration across organizational boundaries
• Strong understanding of adult learner needs and non-traditional student populations
• Background in both credit and non-credit program development and management
• Experience with grant writing and external funding acquisition

Personal Attributes

• Visionary thinking with ability to anticipate market trends and translate insights into actionable strategies
• Commitment to diversity equity and inclusion in educational design and delivery
• Strong analytical mindset with comfort using data to drive decision-making and measure impact

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 8-10 years of progressively responsible experience in higher education administration educational technology or learning experience design with demonstrated impact on institutional transformation
• Masters degree in higher education administration instructional design educational technology or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience
• 5 years of experience in strategic planning program development or educational innovation

Preferred Qualifications

• 10 years of progressively responsible experience in higher education administration educational technology or learning experience design with demonstrated impact on institutional transformation
• Doctoral degree in education technology or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience
• 7 years of experience in strategic planning program development or educational innovation
• Professional certifications in project management operations or related areas
• Professional certifications in business development sales or partnership management

Working Environment

• Standard office environment.
• Unexpected interruptions occur often and stress level is moderate to high.
• Noise level is quiet to moderate.

Physical Activities

• Ability to work in front of a computer for extended periods of time.
• Occasionally required to move about the office/campus.

Work Schedule

Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Application Deadline

For consideration please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) October 29 2025.

Special Instructions

Candidates must apply online through to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted.

Salary Grade Number

The salary grade for the position is 14.

Salary Range

The salary range for this position is $105000-$115000.

The University of Denver has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The University may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate departmental budget availability internal salary equity considerations and available market information but not based on a candidates sex or any other protected status.

Benefits

The University of Denver offers excellent benefits including medical dental retirement paid time off tuition benefit and ECO pass. The University of Denver is a private institution that empowers students who want to make a difference. Learn more about the University of Denver.

Please include the following documents with your application:

1. Resume

The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion sex (including sex stereotypes sex characteristics sexual orientation gender identity and gender expression) marital family or parental status pregnancy or related conditions national origin disability or status as a protected veteran. The University of Denver does not discriminate and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race color national origin ancestry age religion creed disability sex (including sex stereotypes sex characteristics sexual orientation gender identity and gender expression) marital family and parental status pregnancy genetic information military enlistment or veteran status and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal state or local law regulation or ordinance in any of the Universitys educational programs and activities and in the employment (including application for employment) and admissions (including application for admission) context as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Americans with Disabilities Act; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; the Equal Pay Act; the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act; the Colorado Protecting Opportunities and Workers Rights (POWR) Act; and any other federal state and local laws regulations or ordinances that prohibit discrimination harassment and/or retaliation. For more information please see the University of Denvers NonDiscriminationStatement.

All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history background check.