Associate Director for Curriculum Development and Online Education

Job Description Summary

The Associate Director for Curriculum Development and Online Education is a pedagogical leader who advances education for health care professionals. The position bridges the expertise of renowned faculty, the potential of working professionals, and the skill of facilitators. As a senior leader for the Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy’s online educational initiatives team (MEHP Online), the Associate Director ensures pedagogical excellence, directs curriculum development and instructional operations, and provides strategic collaboration.

The Associate Director influences the effectiveness of the Master of Health Care Innovation degree and helps achieve the standard for educational excellence and strong community that are hallmarks of the MHCI. The program launched in 2017 as the first fully online degree of the University of Pennsylvania. The Associate Director also extends impact through continuing education workshops, graduate collaborations, and resources to drive innovation.

The Associate Director reports to the Director of Online Educational Initiatives. Direct reports include the Instructional Designer and the Course Coordinator, as well as a roster of teaching assistants.

Responsibilities may evolve along with the MHCI and other initiatives.

Job Description

The Associate Director’s duties include:

1) Lead curriculum development for online graduate and continuing education programs that are applicable, feasible, viable, and sustainable.

a. Ensure that the curriculum is coherent, relevant, and foresighted. Integrate program competencies and address emerging priorities across courses.

b. Assess the need for course updates with faculty and partner with them on major course designs and refreshes.

c. Implement a tiered approach to course development and continuous improvement with a lean instructional team. Directly steward substantial course redesigns. Provide targeted consultation and review for moderate updates. Establish processes that enable consistent delivery for courses that require minimal change.

d. Lead CME workshop design and learning.

2) Sustain a culture and practices of pedagogical excellence, valuing faculty expertise and student experience.

a. Shape assessment strategy and ensure that all graduate courses are rigorous and effective for health care professionals.

b. Coach a busy multidisciplinary faculty with customized pedagogical, technology-supported solutions to shape their expertise into online education that is effective, student-centered, and sustainable.

c. Design learning activities that build interprofessional community to deepen understanding and increase impact, while fostering respect, trust, and safety for all participants.

d. Lead the development and implementation of academic policy.

e. Serve as a pedagogical thought partner within MEHP and across Penn. Contribute to outward‑facing teaching, scholarship, and thought leadership that strengthens the program’s reputation.

3) Lead instructional operations and staff, and contribute to MEHP Online team senior leadership.

a. Supervise two FTE direct reports to ensure quality and enable professional growth. Maintain and supervise a roster of teaching assistants.

b. Shape online educational initiatives as a nimble, thoughtful collaborator with the Director and fellow Associate Directors. Assess and recommend policy, operations, educational content, or individuals to address opportunities and manage crises.

c. Plan instructional budget and assess resources with Director of Online Educational Initiatives.

4) Provide strategic leadership in expanding educational opportunities from MEHP Online.

a. Lead opportunities for external specialists to supplement faculty expertise, including co-curricular programming for in-person Seminar and synchronous events.

b. Build relationships within Penn and Penn Medicine for MEHP Online to serve as an educational resource to help individuals and interprofessional groups drive innovation.

Qualifications

Required qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree (Master’s preferred) or equivalent work experience
• 5-7 years of experience (7 preferred) in course development, grounded in pedagogical principles, for graduate students and/or professionals; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Proficiency in online instructional design
• The ideal candidate will demonstrate strengths in communication (to various audiences and across multiple modes), analytical thinking, problem solving, organization, flexibility, creativity, teamwork, initiative, foresight, and strategic thinking to advance the mission of MEHP Online.

Preferred qualifications:

• Higher education instruction
• Practice in design-thinking methodology
• Familiarity with Canvas
• Broad health care knowledge

This is a hybrid-eligible work position, requiring regular presence on campus in Philadelphia.

To Apply

Along with a résumé/CV, candidates must submit a cover letter, otherwise their application will not be reviewed. In your cover letter, briefly describe a great experience you’ve had translating someone else’s domain expertise into a delightful learning experience at work, in school, or elsewhere: What 1 or 2 factors made it effective for the audience?

Link to job posting: https://upenn.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/careers-at-penn/job/Associate-Director-for-Curriculum-Development---Online-Education_JR00120584-1

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Perelman School of Medicine

Pay Range

$80,891.00 - $96,500.00 Annual Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, and in alignment with salary ranges based on external market data for the job’s level. Internal organization and peer data at Penn are also considered.

Equal Opportunity Statement 

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected under applicable federal, state or local law.

Special Requirements 

Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits

• To learn about University benefits, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay 



Link to job posting: https://upenn.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/careers-at-penn/job/Associate-Director-for-Curriculum-Development---Online-Education_JR00120584-1