CONTRACT eLearnings Visual Designer and Aborb LMS Producer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: CONTRACT eLearning Visual Designer and Absorb LMS Producer

Company: Waters Edge Family

Location: Holland, Michigan, United States

Job Type: Contractor

Category: Learning & Development Operations / Digital Content Production

Date Posted: 2026-08-27

Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)

Remote Status: Remote with On-site Requirements

🚀 Role Summary

• Develop visually engaging and user-friendly digital learning experiences within the Absorb LMS platform.

• Produce high-quality multimedia assets, including video and audio, to enhance course content.

• Manage multiple projects from intake to publication, ensuring timely delivery and adherence to brand guidelines.

• Collaborate with content writers and stakeholders to translate approved materials into effective online courses.

• Implement and maintain visual standards, templates, and asset management for consistent brand representation across all learning materials.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a specialized contractor position focused on the visual and technical production of eLearning content, specifically leveraging the Absorb LMS. It requires a blend of creative design, technical multimedia production, and efficient project management within a defined contract period. The emphasis is on transforming existing approved content, not creating it.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Build and format approved Online Courses in Absorb LMS and Absorb Create, transforming supplied content into polished digital learning experiences.

• Create a coherent visual system for each course, including graphics, icons, infographics, and multimedia elements that support the intended learning flow.

• Organize approved content into chapters, lessons, and learning objects, ensuring sound visual hierarchy, pacing, and navigation.

• Plan, capture, edit, and produce high-quality video and audio segments, including adding titles, graphics, captions, and ensuring web-ready export.

• Develop and maintain reusable course templates, graphic systems, and media standards for consistency and efficient updates.

• Configure and test learner-facing elements (lesson order, completion behavior, assessments) in both administrator and learner views across various devices.

• Implement practical accessibility standards (contrast, type size, alt text, captions) for digital learning materials.

• Manage multiple projects, track time and deliverables, and provide regular status updates to the Internal Course Manager.

• Collaborate with course writers and subject matter experts to confirm audience, content, and desired learner experience, escalating content or priority questions appropriately.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly delineate between content creation (handled by others) and content transformation (the contractor's role). The emphasis on Absorb LMS, multimedia production, and visual design for learning is paramount. The contractor is responsible for the presentation and technical assembly of approved content, not its substance or strategic prioritization.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is listed, a strong portfolio is the primary requirement, suggesting formal education in Graphic Design, Multimedia Arts, Instructional Design, or a related field is beneficial but not mandatory if practical experience and portfolio are strong.

Experience: A minimum of 2-5 years of experience in visual design for digital learning, web content, or multimedia production is implied by the "Mid-Level" experience assessment and the depth of required skills.

Required Skills:

• Portfolio: A strong portfolio demonstrating visual design for digital learning, web content, multimedia, presentations, or comparable learner-facing experiences.

• Adobe Creative Cloud Proficiency: Demonstrated ability with Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere Pro, After Effects, and/or Audition.

• Content Transformation: Ability to transform supplied content into an attractive, coherent, and intuitive visual experience without assuming authorship of the content.

• Video Production: Practical capability including camera operation, lighting, composition, high-quality audio capture, editing, audio cleanup, captioning, and web-ready export.

• Visual Design Principles: Strong understanding of typography, layout, image selection, visual hierarchy, pacing, brand consistency, and responsive digital design.

• Project & Time Management: Ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, stakeholders, and review cycles effectively.

• Communication & Detail Orientation: Clear communication, reliable follow-through, receptiveness to feedback, and excellent attention to detail.

• Independent Work & Escalation: Ability to work independently while knowing when to escalate content, priority, or approval decisions to the responsible owner.

Preferred Skills:

• Absorb LMS/Create Experience: Experience administering or building courses in Absorb LMS and/or Absorb Create.

• eLearning Authoring Tools: Familiarity with Articulate 360, Storyline, Rise, Adobe Captivate, Camtasia, or comparable platforms.

• LMS Familiarity: Understanding of LMS concepts like chapters, lessons, learning objects, course posters, curricula, assessments, and completion settings.

• Technical Knowledge: Working knowledge of SCORM, xAPI, HTML5 course delivery, media optimization, and common browser/device compatibility issues.

• Accessibility Standards: Knowledge of accessibility practices for digital learning (WCAG-informed design).

• Audience Experience: Experience producing training for staff, volunteers, members, or customers.

• Industry Context: Experience in a nonprofit, ministry, church, or multi-location organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Required" skills are heavily weighted towards practical application and demonstrable output via a portfolio. The "Preferred" skills indicate a strong preference for direct Absorb LMS experience and familiarity with common eLearning development tools and standards, which would significantly streamline the onboarding and production process.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Visual Design Examples: Showcase of digital learning modules, web content, presentations, or learner-facing materials that demonstrate visual appeal, user-friendliness, and effective content presentation.

• Multimedia Integration: Examples of how video, audio, and interactive elements were integrated to enhance learning and engagement.

• Content Transformation Case Studies: Projects where supplied content was transformed into a polished digital experience, highlighting the design decisions made to improve clarity and impact without altering the core message.

• Brand Consistency: Demonstrations of maintaining brand guidelines and creating a coherent visual system across different projects or within a single course.

• Responsive Design: Evidence of designs that adapt effectively to various screen sizes (desktop, tablet, mobile).

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Ability to outline how approved content is received, planned visually, and built within the Absorb LMS, including any templating strategies.

• Production Checklists: Examples or descriptions of how checklists are used to ensure all required elements (graphics, media, assessments, accessibility features) are included and quality standards are met.

• Version Control & File Management: Description of how source files, final assets, and course packages are organized, named, and version-controlled for efficient updates and future maintenance.

📝 Enhancement Note: For this role, the portfolio is critical. It's not just about showing pretty pictures, but demonstrating the process of taking raw content and making it into an effective, well-designed, and technically sound eLearning course within an LMS context. The ability to manage assets and maintain consistency is key for a contractor role.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: As a contract position, compensation is typically project-based or hourly. Given the location (Holland, Michigan), the required skills (Adobe Creative Suite, video production, LMS experience), and the contract duration (October 2026-May 2027), an estimated hourly rate for a skilled contractor in this field in the Midwest US would likely range from $35 to $60 per hour, depending on experience, portfolio strength, and specific project scope.

Benefits: As an independent contractor, standard employee benefits such as health insurance, paid time off, and retirement contributions are generally not provided. The primary "benefit" is the flexible work schedule and remote work option.

Working Hours: Flexible. Hours will vary according to approved project workload and organizational priorities. Estimated hours are to be determined based on the approved course inventory. While flexible, the role requires an estimated 40 hours per week on average during active project periods.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on typical contract rates for specialized creative and technical roles in the Midwest US. It's crucial for candidates to understand they will be classified as an independent contractor and will be responsible for their own taxes, benefits, and insurance. The "flexible" hours mean the contractor needs to be proactive in managing their workload and communication to meet project demands.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Nonprofit / Ministry (Central Church / Water's Edge). This context implies a mission-driven environment where efficiency and effective communication are important for resource stewardship.

Company Size: Not explicitly stated, but "Water's Edge Family" and "Central Church" suggest a potentially large organization with multiple locations or a significant congregation and staff. This size implies a need for standardized processes and consistent branding.

Founded: Not specified.

Team Structure:

• Reporting: The contractor reports to the Water's Edge HR Director, who also serves as the Internal Course Manager. This is a direct, operational relationship.

• Collaboration: Close collaboration is expected with "Approved Course Content Writers" and "subject matter experts" who provide the raw course material.

• Cross-functional Interaction: The contractor will work with various stakeholders to confirm audience, content, and desired learner experience, but decisions on content, prioritization, and final publication rest with authorized individuals.

Methodology:

• Content Transformation: The core methodology involves taking approved content and applying visual design and production techniques to create engaging learning experiences.

• Iterative Review: Projects will go through review and revision cycles, requiring responsiveness to feedback.

• Asset Management: Emphasis on organized source files and reusable assets for ongoing maintenance and efficiency.

Company Website: watersedgefd.com (derived from domain_derived)

📝 Enhancement Note: The nonprofit/ministry context is significant. It suggests that while creativity and technical skill are valued, efficiency, resourcefulness, and alignment with the organization's mission will be important cultural factors. The clear delineation of decision-making authority (content/prioritization vs. design/production) is a key aspect of their operational structure.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a specialized, mid-level contract role focused on eLearning Production and Visual Design. It sits at the intersection of creative arts, technical production, and learning management systems. It is not a traditional "operations" role in the sense of sales or revenue ops, but rather operations within the learning and development function.

Reporting Structure: Direct reporting to the HR Director/Internal Course Manager, with significant autonomy in the execution of design and production tasks for assigned projects.

Operations Impact: The contractor's impact is on the quality, engagement, and accessibility of digital learning materials. Effective visual design and production directly influence learner comprehension, retention, and overall satisfaction with training programs. This role supports the organization's internal training and development initiatives.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in Absorb LMS, advanced multimedia production techniques, and eLearning accessibility standards.

• Portfolio Expansion: Build a robust portfolio with diverse projects for a mission-driven organization.

• Contract Renewal/Extension: Potential for continued work based on performance and ongoing organizational needs for eLearning content.

• Industry Best Practices: Gain experience with current trends in visual design for digital learning and LMS utilization.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this is a contract role, the "growth" aspect comes from skill development and portfolio enhancement, which can lead to future opportunities. The contractor will gain specific experience in an LMS environment and with a particular organizational context.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Primarily Remote. However, on-site work is required "as needed for collaboration, photography, video, or audio production." This suggests occasional visits to a physical location (likely in Holland, Michigan) for hands-on media capture or team meetings.

Office Location(s): Holland, Michigan, United States. Specific on-site requirements will be coordinated by the Internal Course Manager.

Workspace Context:

• Remote Setup: The contractor is expected to have a suitable remote work setup capable of handling design software and multimedia production.

• On-site Collaboration: Opportunities for in-person collaboration may arise, particularly for media production, requiring flexibility to travel to the organization's location.

• Tools & Technology: Access to necessary software (Adobe Creative Cloud, Absorb LMS/Create) is implied. The organization will likely provide access to the LMS and potentially on-site studio equipment if required for media capture.

Work Schedule: Flexible, but hours will vary based on approved project workload and organizational priorities. The contract is set for October 2026 - May 2027. The contractor must be able to manage their time to meet project deadlines and be available for necessary collaboration and media capture sessions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Remote, with on-site work as needed" aspect is crucial. Candidates must be willing and able to travel to Holland, Michigan, for specific production or collaboration tasks. This hybrid nature requires good self-management and communication.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely a review of the resume and portfolio against the required skills.

• Portfolio Review: A critical step where candidates will present their portfolio, demonstrating their visual design, multimedia production, and content transformation capabilities. Expect questions about specific projects, design choices, and problem-solving approaches.

• Skills Assessment: Potential for a practical exercise or a detailed discussion about their experience with specific tools (e.g., Absorb LMS, Adobe Suite).

• Collaboration & Fit Discussion: Conversation with the HR Director/Internal Course Manager to assess communication style, project management approach, and ability to work independently while collaborating effectively.

• Contractual Discussion: Finalization of contract terms, scope, and expected deliverables.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best showcase your ability to transform supplied content into engaging digital learning experiences. Include examples of visual design, multimedia integration (video/audio), and LMS course builds if possible.

• Showcase Process: For each project, briefly explain the objective, the source content provided, your design rationale, the tools used, and the final outcome. Highlight how you maintained the original content's integrity while enhancing its presentation.

• Demonstrate Absorb LMS Familiarity: If you have Absorb LMS experience, make sure it's highlighted. If not, explain how your experience with other LMS platforms or eLearning authoring tools translates to your ability to learn and utilize Absorb effectively.

• Highlight Multimedia Production: Showcase your video and audio editing skills with clear examples of before/after, or by explaining the production process and the challenges overcome.

• Address Accessibility: If your portfolio includes accessible design elements, be prepared to discuss your approach.

Challenge Preparation:

• Content Transformation Scenario: Be ready to discuss how you would approach transforming a hypothetical piece of raw content (e.g., a lengthy document, a set of presentation slides) into an engaging eLearning module.

• Tool Proficiency Discussion: Prepare to discuss your experience with Adobe Creative Cloud applications and any eLearning authoring tools.

• Project Management Approach: Be ready to explain how you manage multiple projects, track your time, and communicate progress/risks to stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is the gatekeeper for this role. It must clearly demonstrate the specific skills requested, particularly the ability to take existing content and make it visually compelling and technically sound within an LMS. The contractor's ability to manage their own workflow and communicate effectively is also paramount for a remote/contract position.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Absorb LMS / Absorb Create: Core platform for course building and delivery. Experience here is highly preferred.

• Adobe Creative Cloud:

  • Photoshop: For image editing, graphic creation, and asset preparation.
  • Illustrator: For vector graphics, icons, and infographics.
  • InDesign: Potentially for layout of downloadable resources or complex visual structures.
  • Premiere Pro: For video editing, sequencing, and final output.
  • After Effects: For motion graphics, animated elements, and advanced video effects.
  • Audition: For audio capture, cleanup, editing, and mastering.

• Other Multimedia Tools: Potentially screen recording software (e.g., Camtasia), presentation software (e.g., PowerPoint, Google Slides), or other graphic design tools.

Analytics & Reporting: While the contractor doesn't manage LMS governance, they may need to review basic course completion or assessment data to inform design improvements or identify functional issues during testing.

CRM & Automation: Not directly relevant to this role's core production tasks, but understanding how courses are assigned or tracked within a larger system might be beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud is a hard requirement. Experience with Absorb LMS is a strong preference. The ability to work across these tools to produce a cohesive digital learning experience is key.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Mission-Driven: A commitment to supporting the organization's mission through effective learning experiences.

• Excellence in Production: A drive to produce high-quality, polished, and professional digital content.

• Efficiency & Resourcefulness: Making the most of approved content and available tools to create impactful learning.

• Collaboration & Communication: Openness to feedback, clear communication, and a willingness to partner with content creators.

• Attention to Detail: Ensuring accuracy, consistency, and a high standard of output in all visual and technical elements.

Collaboration Style:

• Partnership with Content Creators: Working closely with course writers to understand their vision and translate it visually, while respecting their ownership of the content.

• Feedback Integration: Receptiveness to constructive criticism and the ability to incorporate feedback efficiently into revisions.

• Proactive Problem-Solving: Identifying potential issues (visual, technical, functional) early and communicating them to the appropriate stakeholders for resolution.

• Independent Execution: Autonomy in task execution, with clear communication of progress and any roadblocks.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture likely values a balance between creative autonomy and adherence to organizational standards and mission. For a contractor, demonstrating a proactive, communicative, and results-oriented approach aligned with these values will be important.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Content Transformation Constraints: The primary challenge is to enhance approved content visually and technically without altering its substance, meaning, or objectives. This requires creative problem-solving within strict boundaries.

• Balancing Multiple Projects: Managing workload, priorities, and deadlines for several projects simultaneously within a defined contract period.

• Remote Collaboration Nuances: Ensuring effective communication and alignment with remote content writers and stakeholders, especially for media capture and feedback.

• Technical Learning Curve: Quickly mastering Absorb LMS and Absorb Create if not already experienced, and adapting to specific organizational standards.

• On-site Requirements: Coordinating travel and time for necessary on-site production or collaboration sessions.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Absorb LMS Mastery: Deepening expertise in a specific, widely-used LMS platform.

• Advanced Multimedia Production: Refining skills in video editing, motion graphics, and audio engineering for learning contexts.

• eLearning Accessibility Standards: Gaining practical experience in designing and producing accessible digital content.

• Nonprofit/Ministry Context: Understanding the unique communication and training needs of a faith-based organization.

• Portfolio Enhancement: Building a diverse and impactful portfolio with projects that showcase a wide range of visual design and production skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: The biggest challenge is the creative constraint of transforming rather than creating content. Growth opportunities are primarily focused on deepening technical skills and gaining experience within a specific organizational context and platform.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Content Transformation Approach: "Describe your process for taking a lengthy, text-heavy document and transforming it into an engaging visual eLearning module within an LMS. How do you ensure the original content's integrity is maintained?"

• Multimedia Production Workflow: "Walk us through your typical workflow for producing a short instructional video, from initial concept and capture to final editing and export. What quality standards do you prioritize?"

• Absorb LMS/LMS Experience: "What is your experience with Absorb LMS or similar learning management systems? How have you used them to build and deliver online courses?"

• Visual Design Rationale: "For a specific project in your portfolio, explain your design choices regarding layout, typography, color, and imagery. How did these choices support the learning objectives?"

• Project Management & Communication: "How do you manage competing priorities and deadlines when working on multiple projects? How do you communicate progress and any potential risks to stakeholders?"

• Accessibility in Design: "How do you incorporate accessibility best practices into your visual design and multimedia production for digital learning?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working with Waters Edge Family/Central Church, particularly in a contract role?"

• "How do you approach receiving and incorporating feedback on your creative work?"

• "Describe your experience working independently on projects, and how you ensure consistent communication with remote teams." Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Highlight Transformation: For each project, clearly articulate what the "approved content" was and what your specific contribution was in terms of visual design and production.

• Showcase Tool Proficiency: Be prepared to discuss the specific Adobe Creative Cloud applications and any other tools you used and why.

• Demonstrate Multimedia Skills: If you have video/audio examples, walk through the production process and highlight key editing decisions.

• Focus on Impact: Explain how your design choices and production efforts contributed to a better learner experience, improved clarity, or increased engagement.

• Address Absorb LMS: If you have Absorb experience, demonstrate how you leveraged its features. If not, explain how your skills in other LMS/authoring tools translate.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview will heavily focus on practical application of skills and the ability to execute within the defined parameters of the role. Candidates need to be ready to "show, not just tell" their capabilities through their portfolio and detailed explanations of their process.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this contract eLearning Visual Designer and Absorb LMS Producer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Waters Edge careers page.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select and organize your strongest work samples that directly demonstrate your visual design for digital learning, multimedia production (video/audio), and content transformation skills. Ensure it highlights your proficiency with Adobe Creative Cloud and, ideally, any LMS experience.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight experience with eLearning development, visual design, video/audio production, project management, and any specific tools mentioned (Absorb LMS, Adobe Suite). Quantify achievements where possible (e.g., "produced X hours of video content," "designed Y course modules").

• Prepare for Portfolio Presentation: Be ready to walk through your portfolio during an interview, explaining your process, design rationale, and the impact of your work. Practice articulating how you transform raw content into engaging learning experiences.

• Research Waters Edge Family/Central Church: Understand their mission and context to better align your application and interview responses with their organizational values.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions. The contractor classification means candidates will be responsible for their own taxes and benefits.