Senior Instructional Designer

School: Academy of Future Education

Department: Educational Development Unit (EDU)

Position: Senior Instructional Designer

Location: Suzhou, China

Contract Type: Fixed-term, renewable. 3rd contract is open-ended 

ABOUT XJTLU 

In 2006 Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) was created by the University of Liverpool and Xi’an Jiaotong University – a top ten university in China. Offering a unique international education experience, XJTLU brings together excellent research practice and expertise from both institutions and gives students the skills and knowledge they need to secure careers in a global marketplace. XJTLU now has over 25,000 enrolled students in both Suzhou and Liverpool in the UK, with plans to grow to about 28,000 students by 2025. There are currently about 2,000 staff, among which about 1,000 academic staff, with an almost even split between citizens of the People’s Republic of China and international passport holders. XJTLU offers our undergraduates and postgraduates over 100 programmes with a diverse spectrum of courses.

XJTLU is entering a new and exciting phase of its development as part of its strategic priorities for the next ten years. Adopting a new higher education model based on the concept of Syntegrative Education (SE), XJTLU is currently opening a new Entrepreneurial Education site in Taicang, part of wider Suzhou, where the Entrepreneur College (Taicang) is located. The Taicang site will be a pioneer of, and educational model for, the future campus in addressing challenges arising from the 4th Industrial Revolution. Other new initiatives include new working partnerships with Xi’an Jiaotong University, the continued development of the four new Academies, and exploration of further potential locations to develop the SE model.

With a focus on innovative learning and teaching, and research, XJTLU draws on the strengths of its parent universities, and plays a pivotal role in facilitating access to China for UK and other institutional partners. At same time, XJTLU is exploring future education by blending the educational theory, best practice and culture from west and east.

For detailed information about the university, please visit www.xjtlu.edu.cn. 

ABOUT ACADEMY OF FUTURE EDUCATION (AOFE)

The Academy of Future Education of Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University is an educational innovation ecosystem that focuses on research, exploration, support, and dissemination of philosophy and best practices for future education. The core mission of the Academy is to impact education innovation and reform in China and beyond through a variety of projects and programmes, based on fundamental approaches in educational innovation and systemic development designed to contribute to the future of education. The Academy supports individuals and institutions at all levels, including all the K-15 schools as well as vocational education and higher education institutions.

Four units make up the Academy, namely the Department of Educational Studies (EDS), Institute of Leadership & Education Advanced Development (ILEAD), and Educational Development Unit (EDU), Learning Institute for Future Excellence (LIFE). Key projects of the Academy include the following programmes:

• Master’s and doctoral degree programmes in education
• Research projects on future education
• Education innovation community
• Professional development programmes for educational practitioners
• Student learning excellence support programmes
• Online-onsite hybrid learning environment and resources.

The Educational Development Unit (EDU) is committed to exploring new models of higher education, supporting and enhancing best academic practice in all learning, teaching and research activities, both on and off campus and using remote technologies and in supporting XJTLU in reaching its global goals to combine eastern and western education. The EDU forms part of the Academy of Education. 

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead on the university level faculty development initiatives in instructional design as a senior member of the EDU team
• Contribute to the XJTLU institutional level development for its innovation in education.
• Design and deliver training for academic staff in educational best practice in appropriate learning technologies and in the use of tools for e-learning, specifically in web design using existing tools, rather than programming, which exceeds the scope of the role.
• Provide advice and guidance to academic staff in their work to build, develop, adapt and source online course content, in accordance with the instructional objectives of the relevant programme, which is often discipline-specific.
• Keep abreast of developments in best educational practice to identify, evaluate and implement new approaches to teaching and learning, especially the appropriate roles and value for learning of both group and independent work both synchronously and asynchronously.
• Manage specific projects relating to distance, hybrid and e-learning, ensuring that these meet the strategic objectives of the School and University.
• Create standards and ensure compliance with templates such as those for presentation materials, course websites and style sheets.
• Develop and implement methods for evaluating the impact of e-learning tools and modules/programmes in the enhancement of learning and teaching;
• Evaluate new and existing learning technologies and tools for use within EDU and University;
• Actively seek to share and disseminate best educational practice in the design of online materials, deployment of e-learning tools and the incorporation of learning technology and pedagogy across the University. 

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Ideally, five years progressively responsible experience in a complex organization working with academics or customers to deliver value;
• Experience of leading successful E-learning projects;
• Experience with design and development of web 2.0 applications, such as H5P or Articulate, videos and animations, including training in best practices;
• Education, qualifications and training;
• Masters’ degree in Instructional Design, Instructional Technology, Education or similar 

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS:

General and specialist knowledge：

• Awareness of cultural diversity within an international environment;
• Understanding of how technology may be used in the delivery of services to students and faculty;
• Understanding of the logic behind blended and hybrid learning;
• Strong knowledge of media authoring tools and graphic design;
• Demonstrated ability to apply instructional design best practices and appropriate learning theory;
• Excellent ability to disseminate good practice across campus and effectively communicate complex ideas and engage diverse audiences.

Skills: 

• Strong leadership skills with the ability to influence, manage and motivate others;
• Good written and oral communication skills in English;
• Outstanding interpersonal skills, with the proven ability to establish and maintain positive relationships with a wide range of people;
• Excellent organisational skills;
• Strong project management skills;
• Able to deliver and initiate change;
• Ability to work on a variety of tasks at the same time, and to prioritise tasks/activities effectively, along with the ability to meet deadlines.

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES:

• Strong team player;
• Proactive and positive approach;
• Good co-worker who can cooperate on teams;
• Highly motivated, able to work independently;
• Problem-solver;
• Creative;
• Resilience to work pressure;
• Customer and service-focused;
• Ability to deal with confidential matters and act with discretion;
• Flexible approach to work and willingness to be flexible over working hours when required.

CITIZENSHIP AND VISA REGULATIONS

Employment at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University is regulated by Chinese Labour Laws, and must comply with the regulations of the provincial government. These regulations stipulate who is eligible for legal employment with regard to obtaining work permits and visas.  Please be advised candidates over 65 may be not eligible for a work visa in the P.R. China. 

CAREER DEVELOPMENT

1. Clear career development path with annual review.
2. Professional development trainings are provided. 

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

SALARY: Competitive salary in the market

BENEFITS

1. Allowance: XJTLU provide various month/annual/one-off allowances as

• Housing allowance
• Travel allowance
• Education allowance
• Relocation allowance 

2. Commercial insurance: international insurance plans customized for XJTLU staff and family members. (details refer to the University Policy) 

3. Paid holidays:

• Statutory Holidays (11 days)
• Annual Leave (36 days)
• Family Matters Leave
• Paid Sick Leave
• Marriage Leave
• Paternity Leave
• Parental Leave 

4. Working visa and residence permit in China:
5. XJTLU sponsors working visa and residence permit in China for the staff. 

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit your application on our university website [via the 'Apply' button above]. Applications must be submitted in a single pdf file that includes 3 parts in the order of:

• A cover letter
• A current CV, including country of citizenship, and highest degree level
• Contact Details for Three References

For specific enquiries relating to the position, please email TEL Team Leader, Olivia Sun: yiqun.sun@xjtlu.edu.cn. Please quote the position and job ID in your enquiry. Informal enquiries may be addressed to HR at juan.chen@xjtlu.edu.cn.

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