Instructional Designer (Pro-Bono)

**Department:** Education & Programs **Reports To:** Director of Education Collaborates With: EDU-AIM Program Lead, Media Director, Web Developer **Location:** Fully Remote **Commitment:** Project-based volunteer role. Initial course development may require 8-12 hrs/week; ongoing maintenance and updates typically 2-4 hrs/week. **Organization Overview** The United Artists of Animation and Interactive Media (U-AAIM) is a global non-profit built by industry veterans and passionate advocates for a brighter future in entertainment! We believe sustainable creative careers should be the foundation of our global industry, not the exception. Our mission is to forge an equitable, transnational ecosystem where artists and staff can achieve lifelong financial stability—from their first break, through the peaks and valleys of their career, and into a secure retirement. We drive systemic change across borders by uniting the global workforce with two core tools: actionable industry intelligence to empower collective advocacy, and practical, career-spanning education for professional resilience and growth. We are more than a resource; we are a mobilizing force—using transparency as a weapon against exploitation, education as a pathway to economic power, and collective action as the mechanism to reshape an entire industry. We exist to empower creators to own their careers, their value, and their future. Position Summary We are seeking a learning experience architect to design the educational backbone of our movement. As the volunteer Instructional Designer, you will be responsible for translating industry expertise into accessible, engaging, and effective learning experiences. You will work with subject matter experts (SMEs) from the animation and gaming industries to design courses, workshops, and learning pathways that serve our global community—from absolute beginners to experienced professionals seeking to pivot or level up. This is a role for an educator who believes that great instructional design can democratize access to creative careers and that learning should be practical, inclusive, and empowering. **Key Responsibilities** Curriculum & Course Design (45%) Design and develop online learning experiences (workshops, self-paced courses, bootcamps, resource guides) aligned with our mission of career-long financial stability. Create course frameworks, learning objectives, lesson plans, and assessment strategies that ensure measurable skill development. Develop learner-centered materials including video scripts, slide decks, handouts, activities, and practice exercises. Design for a global, diverse audience, ensuring content is culturally relevant, accessible, and welcoming to learners from all backgrounds. Collaboration with Subject Matter Experts (25%) Partner with industry professionals (animators, game developers, producers, technical artists) to extract and structure their expertise into teachable content. Translate SME knowledge into clear, scaffolded learning pathways that build skills progressively. Provide guidance to SME instructors on effective teaching practices, engagement strategies, and adult learning principles. Learning Platform & Content Management (20%) Collaborate with the Chief Technology Officer and Web Developer to select and configure our Learning Management System (LMS). Upload, organize, and maintain course content within the LMS, ensuring a seamless learner experience. Develop reusable templates and course shells that enable efficient scaling of our educational offerings. Assessment, Evaluation & Iteration (10%) Design formative and summative assessments that measure learner progress and skill acquisition. Develop feedback mechanisms (surveys, quizzes, reflective exercises) to continuously improve course quality. Analyze learner data and feedback to recommend iterative improvements to content, pacing, and delivery. Who You Are (Qualifications & Mindset) **Essential:** 2+ years of experience in instructional design, curriculum development, or learning experience design. Experience in workforce development, career training, or creative education is highly valued. Proficiency with instructional design models (ADDIE, SAM, or similar) and adult learning theory (Andragogy). Experience designing for online delivery (synchronous and asynchronous) and familiarity with common LMS platforms (Canvas, Moodle, Teachable, Thinkific, or similar). Strong writing and communication skills, with the ability to craft clear, engaging, and learner-friendly content. A portfolio or work samples demonstrating course outlines, learning materials, or instructional design projects. Deeply learner-centered. You design with empathy, anticipating learner struggles and removing barriers to understanding. You are personally motivated by our mission and believe that great education can unlock economic opportunity and creative fulfillment. **Highly Valued:** Experience in the animation, gaming, or creative industries—or a strong passion for these fields. Experience designing for diverse, global audiences and applying accessibility standards (WCAG, Universal Design for Learning). Familiarity with authoring tools (Articulate Rise, Captivate, H5P) and basic multimedia editing (audio/video). Experience designing portfolio-based or project-based learning. A background in teaching, mentoring, or training within creative or technical fields. **What We Offer:** **Foundational Educational Impact:** Design the learning experiences that will directly empower artists to build sustainable careers. Your work will be the engine of our EDU-AIM initiative. **Portfolio of Purpose:** Build a body of mission-driven instructional design work across diverse topics—from technical skills to career navigation—that demonstrates your ability to create meaningful learning. **Strategic Collaboration:** Work alongside industry professionals, educators, and the Director of Education in a low-bureaucracy, creativity-friendly environment. Flexible, Project-Based Commitment: Contribute your skills to high-impact projects without a rigid ongoing time commitment. Perfect for an educator seeking purposeful side work. **Community of Practice:** Connect with fellow designers, educators, and artists who share your commitment to accessible, equitable creative education. **Future Potential:** While currently volunteer-based, this role has the potential to transition into a compensated position as the organization secures sustainable funding. **How to Apply:** If you believe that thoughtful instructional design can democratize access to creative careers and you want to build the educational foundation of a global movement, we need you. Please email Contact@uaaim.org with the subject line “Instructional Designer: [Your Name]” and include: Your Resume: Provide an up-to-date copy of your resume. Your Portfolio or Work Samples: Provide a link to a portfolio, course samples, or instructional design work that demonstrates your approach. Pay: $1.00 per year Work Location: Remote