Director – Instruction and Learner Experience

Merit America

. Own the learner-facing academic experience, including what learners study, instructional quality, and learner support .

Posted 10/6/2026full-timeRemote • United StatesLead💰 $157,500 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in academic program design, learner support, and instructional quality management, with a strong focus on accreditation standards and data-driven decision-making. Proven ability to lead teams, develop scalable systems, and enhance learner outcomes in higher education settings.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Academic Program DesignLearner Support ManagementAccreditation FamiliarityData-Driven Decision MakingTeam Leadership

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Program DevelopmentCourse DesignLearning Outcome AssessmentPerformance ManagementPolicy DraftingCompetency-Based ModelsOnline LearningAcademic Metrics AnalysisProcess DocumentationEnrollment Growth Strategies

Soft Skills

Executive PresenceResourcefulnessJudgmentCommitment to Inclusive ExcellenceCoaching

Tools & Technologies

Learning Management Systems (LMS)AI-Enabled Academic Integrity Tools

Certifications & Qualifications

Master's Degree in Higher Education AdministrationAccreditation Self-Study Documentation Experience

Industry Keywords

Higher EducationStudent ServicesAcademic Support ServicesWorkforce-Aligned ModelsFast-Scaling Organizations

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Own the learner-facing academic experience, including what learners study, instructional quality, and learner support
Lead the instruction, program design, and learner services teams
Build policies, redesign courses, coach instructors, improve advising workflows, and document processes for accreditation review
Own design, development, review, and revision of academic programs, including learning outcomes, course maps, assessments, and materials selection
Direct program design roadmap and sequencing; approve programs and courses before launch
Align programs with labor market outcomes, accreditation standards, and the College’s educational philosophy
Define teaching quality standards and oversee course observations and instructional reviews
Address teaching quality concerns, including performance management when needed
Develop and evaluate instructional staff and maintain faculty credential files
Manage instructor workload, course assignments, and staffing plans
Own learner support functions, including advising, coaching, tutoring, accessibility services, library resources, and early-alert outreach
Establish caseload standards, response-time expectations, and escalation paths
Resolve learner academic complaints, grade appeals, and academic progress disputes
Design and run course- and program-level assessment and annual program reviews
Own academic metrics including persistence, course completion, competency attainment, time to completion, satisfactory academic progress, and learner satisfaction
Draft and maintain academic policies covering grading, academic progress, AI-enabled academic integrity, engagement, transfer and prior learning credit, grade appeals, and instructor evaluation
Author academic sections of the accreditation self-study and align catalogs, syllabi, and learner-facing materials with policies
Lead, manage, and grow instruction, program design, and learner services teams
Build scalable systems and documented processes for enrollment growth
Partner with the Chief Academic Officer on new programs, modalities, credential structures, and support models
Champion the College internally and externally and support the academic operating rhythm, course launches, and LMS readiness standards

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree in higher education administration, public policy, or a related field strongly preferred
8+ years in higher education, with direct experience building or leading academic programs, not only administering them
Experience with competency-based, online, or workforce-aligned models serving working adults is strongly preferred
Experience building in a start-up environment, including new program launch, or fast-scaling organization
Track record of creating structure, systems, and process where none existed
Experience managing mid-to-senior level employees, including regular professional development and performance reviews
Experience working with student services staff, with a background in academic support services, and advising
Strong assessment and data background, comfortable owning learning outcome assessment and translating academic metrics into decisions and curricular change
High capacity and resourcefulness, comfortable moving between designing the model and doing the hands-on work
AI fluency and sound technology judgment
Sound judgment and executive presence
Committed to the organization’s mission, inclusive excellence, continuous learning, and serving students from all backgrounds
Fluent in accreditation; familiarity with regional or national accreditors and experience preparing self-study documentation are listed under nice-to-haves

Benefits

Comp & perks

Medical, Dental and Vision insurance (100% Paid Employee Only Coverage)
Flexible Spending Account and Health Savings Account
Dependent care Flexible Spending Account
Health Reimbursement Account fully funded by Merit
Education & personal development reimbursement
Catalog of courses for professional learning and development
Short and long-term disability
Flexible PTO (after a 90-day introductory period)
Paid Parental Leave and Adoption benefits (after 1 year of employment)
11 federally recognized holidays
2 week holiday office closure in December/January
401(k) retirement plan with automatic Merit contribution
Wellness Benefits/Wellness Resources
Discount perks at work program
Phone/technology stipend
Home office setup stipend
Affinity groups and community building via virtual, in-person, and/or regional meetups