The posting
If you’re passionate about building a better future for individuals, communities, and our country—and you’re committed to working hard to play your part in building that future—consider WGU as the next step in your career.
Driven by a mission to expand access to higher education through online, competency-based degree programs, WGU is also committed to being a great place to work for a diverse workforce of student-focused professionals. The university has pioneered a new way to learn in the 21st century, one that has received praise from academic, industry, government, and media leaders. Whatever your role, working for WGU gives you a part to play in helping students graduate, creating a better tomorrow for themselves and their families.
The salary range for this position takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs.
At WGU, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their position, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is:
Grade: Professional 307
Pay Range: $68,300.00 - $102,500.00
Job Description
The Design Writer engages WGU Academy students through well-crafted communication, understanding how to best connect with, persuade, and educate readers. The successful candidate is passionate about simplifying complexity and delighting learners as they grow in understanding and confidence. The Design Writer works as a member on agile project teams and applies research-informed strategies and practices to ensure learner engagement, comprehension, retention, and application.
The Design Writer is positioned within Academy’s Learning Experience unit with colleagues versed in learning experience design, UX/UI design, rich media, and assessment to craft world-class eLearning. The Design Writer takes a consultative approach to their work, exhibiting the highest level of expertise and knowledge in written communication for learning and power skill development, including scriptwriting for multimedia content. They seek common ground across many other involved roles. Their passion for thoughtful craft, openness to innovative ideas, and energy in pitching expertise and known best practices will serve the Design Writer well in this role. As we strive to provide our students with educational experiences that lead the industry, the Design Writer will help achieve this goal.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities:
- Develop a unique Academy “voice” used in all products
- Function as primary writer and editor for a cross-functional, agile team developing engaging, effective learning experiences
- Contribute to learning experiences achieving robust student outcomes in power skill development including social emotional learning and emotional intelligence
- Write scripts for animation, video, and audio content
- Craft text for user interface elements such as buttons, menus, and prompts
- Edit and proof externally facing content for tone and correctness
- Write appropriately for Academy’s diverse audiences
- Draft multiple rapid prototypes for usability testing, AB testing, iterating based on feedback
- Work closely with subject matter experts to accurately translate industry jargon and complex ideas into well-structured audience-appropriate learning content
- Work closely with Design team to ensure content aligns with learning strategies and objectives
- Assist and edit service delivery and training materials for Student Experience team
- Ensure all work is on time and meets standards of quality, including accuracy, tone, and grammar
- Model WGU’s Leadership Principles and Cultural Beliefs
- Develop and maintain a collaborative relationship with all appropriate internal and external stakeholders
- Stay current with trends and research in content best practices, including social emotional learning, learning science, UX/UI, and behavioral economics
- Assist with drafting reports and other internal documents as needed
- Fulfill other duties as assigned
Knowledge, Skill and Abilities:
- Experience writing online content, educational content, and similar work requiring both communication of information and a call to action
- Experience collaborating on internal communications, reports, and training materials
- Ability to take feedback and iterate toward improved learning and engagement
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Ability to work both collaboratively and independently in a fast-paced, agile environment
- Strong attention to detail and a feeling of ownership over the quality of our learning experiences
- Strong prioritization and time management skills to balance multiple demands
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree or higher in relevant field.
- 2+ years of experience in a professional writing background.
- Heavy consideration given to candidates sharing a strong portfolio of work.
- A passion for education and writing to enable and inspire students to learn.
Preferred Qualifications:
- A passion for creating or converting long form content into engaging, consumable learning material.
- Demonstrable experience navigating feedback in writing from multiple stakeholders and subject matter experts.
- Demonstrable experience collaborating with a team.
- Nice to have: A knowledge of adult learning theories, design thinking, and models for learning experience design.
Physical Requirements: Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
Working Conditions: 5 days in office 10% travel
This position requires occasional travel of up to 20%, including required attendance at designated company summits (typically one to two per year). Additional travel may include conferences, visits to company locations, and other business-related events as needed. Additional travel may be assigned as needed to support business requirements.
Position & Application Details
Full-Time Regular Positions (classified as regular and working 40 standard weekly hours): This is a full-time, regular position (classified for 40 standard weekly hours) that is eligible for; medical, dental, vision, telehealth and mental healthcare; health savings account and flexible spending account; basic and voluntary life insurance; disability coverage; accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity supplemental coverages; legal and identity theft coverage; retirement savings plan; wellbeing program; discounted WGU tuition; and flexible paid time off for rest and relaxation with no need for accrual, flexible paid sick time with no need for accrual, 11 paid holidays, and other paid leaves, including up to 12 weeks of parental leave.
How to Apply: If interested, an application will need to be submitted online. Internal WGU employees will need to apply through the internal job board in Workday.
Additional Information
Disclaimer: The job posting highlights the most critical responsibilities and requirements of the job. It’s not all-inclusive.
Accommodations: Applicants with disabilities who require assistance or accommodation during the application or interview process should contact our Talent Acquisition team at [email protected].
Equal Employment Opportunity: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected characteristic as required by law.
