Senior Director Instructional Design (K12 - EdTech)

Sr. Director – Instructional Design (K12 - Edtech)
Job Location: Pune / Hybrid
Total Experience: 20+ Years
Qualification: Any Graduate; preferably M.A. or B.A. in English, Journalism, or Psychology
Job Summary
Academian is seeking an accomplished Sr. Director – Instructional Design to lead strategic instructional design initiatives, consulting engagements, and learning experience design solutions across K–12, higher education, and workforce development. The role will drive the development of innovative, learner-centric solutions, lead proposal development and Proofs of Concept (POCs), oversee course and product audits, and ensure high-quality project delivery.
The ideal candidate will bring extensive expertise in instructional design, learning theories, client consulting, stakeholder management, and team leadership, along with a deep understanding of the EdTech industry and emerging learning trends.
Key Responsibilities
1. Consulting Engagement Execution
Lead consulting engagements by providing strategic guidance and expertise in instructional design and learning experience design.
Ensure timely delivery of high-quality instructional design solutions that meet client expectations and business objectives.
Apply established learning theories, instructional design models, and evidence-based practices to develop effective learning solutions.
2. Proposal Development, Research & Innovation
Conduct research and analysis to develop instructional design strategies and recommendations for client proposals.
Collaborate with clients and internal stakeholders to develop innovative, customized learning solutions aligned with business requirements.
Lead the development of Proofs of Concept (POCs) for new projects and client accounts to demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of proposed solutions.
Partner with cross-functional teams to conceptualize, design, and develop prototypes that address client needs and support business development initiatives.
3. Course & Product Audits
Conduct comprehensive audits of courses and learning products to evaluate effectiveness, identify improvement opportunities, and ensure adherence to instructional design standards.
Provide actionable recommendations to enhance the quality, accessibility, engagement, and effectiveness of learning materials.
Oversee curriculum design, training macro and micro design, development of instructional materials, and preparation of Functional Specification Documents (FSDs).
Establish and maintain quality standards across learning design and development deliverables.
4. Leadership in Learning Experience Design
Provide strategic and consultative leadership in learning experience design, ensuring alignment with client objectives and desired learning outcomes.
Lead complex instructional design projects and provide expert guidance on learning strategies, design methodologies, and innovative learning approaches.
Mentor and develop team members, fostering instructional design excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Collaborate with multidisciplinary and cross-functional teams to develop diverse, scalable, and impactful learning solutions.
Apply interdisciplinary knowledge, cross-cultural competence, and industry best practices to learning design initiatives.
Leverage a strong understanding of the EdTech industry and emerging trends to drive innovation in learning solutions.
Lead the design of program-level courses for school districts, colleges, and universities, as well as workforce development and corporate training programs.
Ensure consistent quality, timely delivery, and alignment with client requirements across all learning design projects.
5. Stakeholder & Client Management
Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), project managers, and cross-functional teams to gather requirements and develop effective learning solutions.
Build strong client relationships and provide consultative recommendations to address learning needs and business objectives.
Manage stakeholder communication throughout the project lifecycle, ensuring clarity on requirements, expectations, timelines, and deliverables.
Incorporate stakeholder feedback and manage changing project requirements while maintaining quality standards and delivery commitments.
Address stakeholder escalations and facilitate coordination between design, content, and delivery teams to ensure smooth project execution.
6. Thought Leadership & Industry Engagement
Contribute to Academian's thought leadership by developing articles, blogs, and professional posts on instructional design trends, learning innovations, and industry best practices.
Identify emerging trends and innovative practices in learning experience design and recommend opportunities for adoption.
Contribute to the development and execution of the company's social media strategy and content plan to strengthen brand visibility and industry presence.
About Academian
Website: www.academian.com
Academian is an education technology services, products, and learning development company that emerged as a carve-out of IntraEdge Inc., an established IT company with over 22 years of industry experience.
With a team of 500+ professionals, Academian delivers innovative services, products, and learning development solutions across K–12 education, higher education, professional institutions, publishing, Online Program Managers (OPMs), and corporate learning environments.
Combining deep industry expertise with a product-oriented design approach, Academian creates impactful learning experiences and technology solutions that support the entire educational lifecycle. Its capabilities span content development, media production, strategic staffing, and custom software development.
Our Areas of Expertise:
EdTech Solutions: Learning Management Systems (LMS), Content Management Systems (CMS), custom software, and cloud architecture.
Digital Learning: Content design, learning experience design, accessibility, and media development.
Education Services: K–12, higher education, workforce development, publishing, and prepress.
Strategic Services: Product management, strategic consulting, technology and digital transformation, and staffing.
At Academian, we are passionate about shaping the future of learning through innovative technology and meaningful learning experiences. Join our team to contribute to impactful education solutions and support digital transformation across the education ecosystem.
EdTech with Academian | Your Digital Transformation Partner
We deliver innovative EdTech solutions and create customized eLearning experiences that advance digital transformation and support inclusive, accessible learning.

Work arrangement
Hybrid