Center for Learning Design Director

About Holy Family University

Holy Family University is a sponsored ministry of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth founded in 1954. The University is a private institution in the Catholic tradition with campus locations in Philadelphia and Newtown PA. The main campus is nestled in the heart of a historic residential neighborhood in Northeast Philadelphia that is vibrant and just minutes from the excitement of Center City. The Newtown campus is located in Bucks County surrounded by nature and a step away from parks, farmers’ markets and great dining.

One of the best parts of Holy Family University is our welcoming atmosphere--and that's not by chance. Our mission centers on creating an environment that encourages all members to get to know one another, learn from one another, and experience a range of perspectives and worldviews. Our community is strong because of this.

University Benefits

Holy Family University takes pride in offering a range of meaningful and flexible benefits designed to promote the health and wellness of our employees and their dependents. Our comprehensive benefits and resources focus on physical, mental and financial wellness to include medical, prescription, dental and vision. We did not stop there; we also offer our employees the following fringe benefits and more.

Commuter Benefits: Transit and park benefits through pre-tax payroll deductions

Half-Day Fridays: Enjoy half day Fridays in the summer

403(b) Retirement: Discretionary match up to 5%; vested immediately

Time Off: 12 Paid Holidays, Vacation, Personal, Sick Days and a week off for Winter Break

Tuition Benefits: Employees or dependents pursuing a first Undergraduate Degree receive 100% tuition remission; employees pursuing a first Master’s or Doctoral degree, receive 100% tuition remission; eligible dependents pursuing a first Master’s or Doctoral degree, receive 50% tuition discount.

Alpha House: 50% Discount for Nursery, Pre-K and Kindergarten

Position Summary

The Director establishes and leads Holy Family University’s Center for Learning Design and serves as the Project Director for the University’s U.S. Department of Education Title III: Strengthening Institutions Program grant, directing its course redesign, experiential learning, and adult degree completion activities and is responsible for their delivery on schedule, within budget, and aligned with the grant’s measurable objectives.

The role helps faculty improve student learning and course completion, strengthen persistence in technology programs, and prepare students to demonstrate the skills needed for professional and civic life. Reporting to the Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Director builds practical collaboration across the four academic schools and University offices, with attention to HFU’s Catholic mission, the formation of the whole person, and the experiences of first-generation, adult, and other learners.

Direct Reports:None. Grant-funded staff report to the offices that will sustain their roles; the Director directs their project work and milestones in coordination with those supervisors.

General Expectations of Holy Family University employees

Uphold the mission and core values of Holy Family University, supporting the education of students to assume lifelong responsibilities towards God, society and self.

Accomplish assigned duties in an efficient, effective and competent manner.

Strive for improvement and excellence in all work performed.

Demonstrate the ability to effectively interact with and work with students, faculty, staff and the public.

Follow and abide by all University policies, rules, regulations and guidelines.

If an alternative work location is permitted or should become necessary, the employee must be able to perform all parts of this job description while working away from the office, on campus or a combination, and be proficient or willing to become proficient in the technology needed to work away from the office.

Essential Functions

Job duties must be performed, with or without reasonable accommodation, and may include any of the following tasks, knowledge, skills, and other characteristics. This position description is illustrative and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by incumbents in this position.

Essential functions include

Center Leadership and Collaboration

Establish Center operations, annual work plans, and shared procedures that connect the grant’s activities and identify responsibilities, deliverables, and deadlines.

Convene activity leads, set shared milestones, and ensure accountability for meeting them while coordinating work across Academic Affairs, Institutional Effectiveness, Enrollment Management, the Registrar’s office, Career Services, General Education, Academic Success, and other participating offices.

Build faculty and staff partnerships through clear communication, collaborative problem-solving, and respect for disciplinary expertise and established supervisory and academic approval processes.

Course Redesign

Coordinate faculty redesign cohorts with the academic deans, design-thinking facilitator, and instructional-design support, prioritizing mathematics, chemistry, and technology courses identified in the grant.

Organize Faculty Learning Communities in which faculty use student experiences and course data to identify barriers, develop teaching approaches, and evaluate improvements.

Coordinate the three-day Train the Trainer Institute with the design-thinking facilitator and prepare faculty peers to sustain the redesign process.

Durable Skills and Learning Technologies

Partner with the General Education Committee, academic leaders, and Micro-Credential Coordinator to integrate and assess collaboration, agency, conflict resolution, resilience, and digital/AI literacy in redesigned courses.

Coordinate with faculty and the Micro-Credential Coordinator to connect course learning outcomes with approved industry credentials and digital badges.

Work with faculty, the Canvas instructional technologist, online learning quality staff, and Information Technology to support Universal Design course design and responsible use of AI, simulation, and other learning technologies.

Immersive and Maker-Centered Learning Facility

Coordinate planning and implementation of the Center and experiential learning facility with Facilities, Information Technology, academic leaders, and architectural and engineering professionals.

Translate instructional needs into space and equipment requirements; coordinate installation, faculty readiness, and use of simulation, collaborative learning, and creative production spaces.

Work with the Principal Investigator and responsible University offices to obtain required U.S. Department of Education prior approvals before funds are committed and to document applicable procurement and construction requirements.

Adult Pathways and Workforce Connections

Coordinate the academic components of adult completion pathways with the Adult Pathways Liaison, Graduate and Adult Admissions, the Registrar, academic deans, and Career Services.

Support development of clear connections among prior-learning assessment, approved credit, embedded credentials, and degree requirements, using established faculty and Registrar approval processes.

Work with the Liaison and academic leaders to align employer partnerships and workforce needs with course and degree pathways.

Project Direction, Federal Compliance and Sustainability

Serve as Project Director of record for the Title III award, assuming day-to-day direction from the transitional Project Director upon appointment, and serve as the University’s primary contact with the U.S. Department of Education program officer.

Review progress against the grant timetable monthly, maintain project records, identify delays, and direct corrective action, escalating decisions beyond the Director’s authority to the Principal Investigator and steering group.

Manage the grant budget with the Finance Office: reconcile expenditures monthly against the approved budget, maintain expenditure and time-and-effort documentation for grant-funded personnel, and route purchases the Director specifies to the Principal Investigator or Finance for approval, so that specification, approval, and tracking stay in separate hands.

Ensure the project complies with 2 CFR Part 200, EDGAR, and Title III program requirements, including federal procurement standards, equipment inventory, and prior-approval requests to the Department for budget revisions and key personnel changes.

Staff the Principal Investigator’s steering group, which meets twice yearly; prepare progress summaries and follow through on approved actions.

Own the project’s progress data against Objectives 1 through 6 and the applicable GPRA performance measures; coordinate documentation and data access with Institutional Research, Finance, activity leads, and the independent evaluator and prepare the Annual Performance Report and final performance report with the Principal Investigator.

Use findings on course completion, technology-program retention, durable skills, credentials, adult enrollment, and facility use to guide improvements. Develop sustainable procedures and build faculty capacity to support the planned transition to institutional funding.

Education & Experience Requirements

Candidates must possess a Master’s degree in higher education with learning design, curriculum design, and technology experience, or a terminal doctorate in a related field preferred. Applicants should have demonstrated experience leading course redesign initiatives within higher education, alongside a track record of managing complex projects across academic and administrative units with clear documentation and follow-through.

Candidates must also have experience managing externally funded grants or contracts, including budget monitoring and sponsor reporting. Preference will be given to candidates who have directed federal education grants, including prior-approval processes, and to those who have supported ethical AI use, simulation, or other emerging technologies in teaching and learning.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

The successful candidate must demonstrate a strong working knowledge of student learning outcomes assessment and the application of evidence to drive continuous educational improvement. The position requires exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, specifically the ability to build trust, facilitate collaborative cross-unit work, and communicate clearly across faculty, staff, administrators, and external partners. Candidates must demonstrate a steadfast commitment to HFU’s mission and to creating accessible learning environments that effectively support students from varied backgrounds and educational experiences.

Work Environment

• Operates in an office environment that may have frequent interruptions.
• The area is well-lit, temperature-controlled, and free from hazards.
• Noise level is generally quiet to moderate.

Physical Requirements

• Communicates frequently, in person, over the phone, or via a computer.
• Hearing is needed for extensive telephone and in-person communication.
• Regularly required to sit for long periods of time; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms.
• Manual dexterity is needed to operate a computer keyboard.
• Operates standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.

Non-Discrimination Statement

Holy Family University seeks to foster a welcoming and a healthy educational and work environment based on respect, the dignity of each person and the oneness of the human family. Holy Family University is dedicated to ensuring an environment free of discrimination or harassment of any kind, and promotes equal opportunity in its employment and education.

For more details on our commitment to nondiscrimination click HERE

We invite qualified applicants to view our open positions and apply directly at our career center by submitting a cover letter and resume.