Instructional Designer

At AQA, we’re committed to advancing education and we’re committed to our people. As the largest provider of academic qualifications in the UK, we mark over 10 million exam papers each year and it’s our people who make this happen.

Instructional Designer

Permanent

Manchester: £33,950 - £37,320

Guildford: £35,350 - £38,860

Hybrid Working

Are you driven to craft engaging digital and blended learning experiences?

Do you excel in digital content creation and have a good understanding of instructional design models?

Imagine being part of a team of go-to experts in designing interactive learning solutions that make a real impact.

At AQA, we’re seeking a creative and technically skilled Instructional Designer to join our dedicated Digital & Blended Learning team. If you have experience transforming content into engaging and impactful digital and blended learning experiences and thrive on delivering high-quality, innovative digital solutions, this could be your ideal role.

What’s in it for me?

• Opportunity to shape and innovate: as a key player in the design and delivery of AQA’s digital and blended learning resources, you'll have the chance to create impactful learning experiences and set the standard for online learning across the organisation.

• Diverse and engaging project work: with responsibilities that include storyboarding, content creation, and multimedia production, you’ll enjoy a varied workload across a range of subject matters that keeps each day interesting.

• A great pension which could see up to 18.5% combined contributions 

• 25 days annual leave with Bank Holidays and extra closure days at Christmas on top 

• Corporate access to the Headspace app and an employee assistance program 

• Newly refurbished office with a variety of individual and collaborative workspaces, a games room, a yoga room and onsite gym at our Manchester office and a variety of subsidised eateries at our Guildford office in the University of Surrey.

• Up to five days paid for volunteering outside of work 

What will I be doing?

In this role, you’ll support and enhance digital and blended learning experiences for our staff, temporary staff and associates. Working closely with stakeholders, you’ll manage end-to-end projects— analysing, designing, developing content to drive organisational learning outcomes.

From crafting impactful digital materials to help maintain content within our learning management system, you’ll be a pivotal player in creating a continuous, personalised learning culture at AQA.

You’ll use your technical expertise to manage multiple projects, ensure our online content meets brand standards and collaborate with subject matter experts to design effective and engaging resources. As a expert in content creation, you’ll also help in assessing the success of learning interventions and maintain compliance with legal standards and accessibility requirements.

What will I need to succeed?

• Strong technical skills in digital design software (e.g. Articulate Storyline, Vyond, Adobe Creative Suite, Articulate suite).

• Experience with LMS platforms (e.g. Totara, Moodle).

• Instructional design expertise to build engaging, user-centric moment of need content.

• Project Management skills to ensure all projects run effectively, to time and budget

• Proficiency in graphic design and multimedia production, including video/audio editing.

• Excellent communication and project management abilities, with a collaborative approach.

What next?

Applications close at 23:59 on 26th January 2025 but we will be reviewing applications as they are received and may close the advert early, so apply soon rather than waiting for the deadline.

Just follow the link to apply, uploading your most recent CV,  a copy of or a link to your portfolio as well as a cover letter explaining how your skills and experience match the job description.

Interviews will be one stage, taking place over Microsoft Teams at the start of February.

We are hoping for you to be able to start at the end of February 2025

#CRE23

Recruitment Agencies

We have a preferred supplier list (PSL) in place.

Unsolicited CVs will be treated as a gift. We will not be subject to or liable under your terms and conditions for agency fees.

Full Job Description

Summary

To provide support to the Online Learning Manager, Organisational Development (OD) team and all other AQA business areas in the design, development and delivery of online learning interventions that will enhance the capability of AQA’s people in line with the People Strategy.Section 1 – Accountabilities
Customer (external or internal)
Being trusted and reliable in assessment design and delivery
Effectively and efficiently supports all our users of online learning content.
Leading the process of creating digital learning resources as identified by the Online Learning Manager and contributing to learning outcomes in AQA, including; stakeholder management, content creation and agreeing key milestones.
Ensures the effectiveness of online learning interventions and development processes by using expertise in online learning consultancy and design when collaborating with stakeholders and subject matter experts.
Working on multiple projects with key stakeholders, to ensures all online learning solutions are delivered according to identified priority and within planned timescales.
Technical expertise in a range of digital software tools in order to transform the ideas and content from subject matter experts into engaging and effective online learning.
Cash (finances)
Ensuring sound financial management and a robust asset base
Supports our commercial relationships with external suppliers, enabling efficient delivery of outsourced online learning projects, focussing on quality and content and being aware of the need for return on investment.
Product and internal processes
Delivering quality products and outcomes – as recognised by the customer
Ensures all online learning adheres to AQA brand guidelines, incorporating the in-house styles and tone of voice.
Supports the Online learning manager in reviewing the effectiveness of all online learning solutions, both for content and for learning outcomes, to enable a strong culture of continuous improvement.
Identifies the most efficient delivery of online learning interventions and solutions working in partnership with subject matter experts and business managers.
Ensures AQA is safe and legally compliant by applying AQA’s policies and other legislative requirements including but not limited to HSE, Equal Opportunities and ISMS.
People and culture
Ensuring we have great people achieving their potential
Enables a strong culture of continuous improvement through the evaluation and updating of online learning in conjunction with the wider OD team.
Develops effective relationships with both internal and external partners in order to clarify scope, agree outcome, challenge constructively and manage expectations so that optimal online learning solutions are created.
Committed to demonstrating and nurturing the desired AQA culture through all organisational interventions.
Contributes to the identification of professional development opportunities for OD and temporary colleagues that enable cross skilling and flexible working, in alignment with business needs.
Works in an agile way using expertise to drive People Group activities which will have an impact at an organisational level.
Takes personal responsibility to build their knowledge and expertise, thus increasing the OD team’s credibility within the business.
Collaborates with the relevant business areas and experts to ensure all online learning is accessible, has suitable copyright clearance and meets statutory and mandatory requirements.
Contributes to the delivery of quality online learning content and functionality by undertaking User Acceptance Testing (UAT) and other acceptance processes.
Keeps abreast of current and future training and development opportunities to ensure our practices remain appropriate and up to date.
Technology
Delivering demonstrably secure, reliable, agile and cost-effective systems
Understands the impact of visual content when sourcing graphics, images and multimedia and can apply this in a digital context to create engaging online learning.
Leads on the creation and editing of audio and video footage for online learning projects.
Provides technical maintenance and back-end updates to the learning management system (LMS) whilst ensuring its online learning content and resources are maintained and up-to-date.
Government and external
Providing timely, valued insight and evidence that inform policy
Identifies strategic business changes that are required to meet changing markets, business priorities and legislative requirements.
Keeps abreast of current and future training and development opportunities to ensure our practices remain appropriate and up to date.
Maintains best practice in safeguarding the storage of people data to support OD activity, allowing for the generation of timely management information and reports.
Section 2 – Key relationships and performance
Key internal relationships:
People Group
Organisational Development
Training and Development Manager
Online Learning Manager
Department managers
Internal colleagues
Subject matter experts
Key external relationships:
External service suppliers
(Senior) associates
Key performance indicators:
Contribution to and successful delivery of the People Strategy and People Plan for the organisation
Performance against People Scorecard underpinned by people data
Effective support and delivery of training and development interventions in line with targets on quality time and cost
Quality and success of training and development interventions based on business impact measures and positive customer feedback
Quality and success of relationship and stakeholder management
Analysis of management information which supports decision making and informs AQA strategy
Section 3 – Person profile
Knowledge
Contemporary knowledge and understanding of online learning approaches, technology and software - A/I/P
Knowledge and understanding of learning management systems – ideally Totara/moodle - A/I/P
Knowledge of creative digital content development, preferably in an educational, commercial or similar learning environment - A/I
Good understanding of cross-browser, cross-platform and cross-channel (tablet/mobile) design - A/I
Good creative and user experience design knowledge, demonstrating strong knowledge of responsive design best practices for producing digital learning content - A/I
Knowledge of visual programming and system commands - A/I
Knowledge of video production and sound recording - A/I
Qualification
Good standard of general qualifications including GCSE A*-C/9-4 in English and Maths - A
Relevant professional qualifications or willingness to study e.g. CIPD - A
Skills
Strong computing and technology application skills - A/I/P
Working knowledge of HTML - A/I
Use of instructional design concepts for e-learning - A/I
Good working knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite - A/I
Good working knowledge of Learning Management Systems - A/I
Excellent working knowledge of Articulate Suite - A/I
Ability to create User Interface designs - A/I
Ability to maintain the overall vision of the user experience when implementing individual specific features or designs. - A/I
Visual/graphic design and editing skills - A/I/P
Effective written and oral communication skills, with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail - I/P
Enthusiastic, adaptable and a willingness to develop - A/I/P
Positive work ethic with the ability to build good working relationships at all levels - I/P
Works to tight deadlines and prioritises a variety of work demands, often under pressure - A/I/P
Uses own initiative, with a proactive approach - I/P
Customer focused, with proven ability in improving customer service - A/I/P
Ability to interpret data in order to evaluate the effectiveness of learning interventions - A/I/P
Excellent organisational and time management skills - I/P
Behaviours
Communication - I/P
Flexibility - I/P
Customer focused - I/P
Personal contribution - I/P
Continuous excellence - I/P
Experience
Highly adept in using digital media creation tools, e.g. Adobe Creative Suite and Articulate Storyline - A/I
Proven experience in producing online learning - A/I
Experience in designing documents, storyboards, screen captures for online learning - A/I/P
Experience of working in a customer focussed environment - A/I
Experience of working with stakeholders to design and develop online content - A/I/P
Assessment key (criteria to be assessed at the selection stage)
A – application (it is essential to provide evidence on application for shortlisting purposes)
I - interview
T – test (or work sample)
P – probation