Lead Multimedia Content Designer -WGU Academy

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Lead Multimedia Content Designer - WGU Academy Company: Western Governors University Location: Salt Lake City, Utah, United States Job Type: FULL_TIME Category: Creative & Media / Education Technology Operations Date Posted: November 12, 2025 Experience Level: 5-10 Years (Based on AI analysis of 7+ years with Bachelor's or 4+ years with Master's) Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the design and development of engaging and accessible multimedia content for WGU Academy's educational programs, directly impacting student learning outcomes and brand perception.
• Drive visual storytelling and multimedia production strategies to enhance the effectiveness and appeal of digital and print learning materials, adhering to established brand guidelines and WGU's mission.
• Manage and allocate multimedia design resources effectively across various projects, ensuring optimal team performance and timely delivery of innovative design solutions for upcoming sprints and initiatives.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including learning and performance solutions, to integrate multimedia elements seamlessly into educational products and interventions, fostering a cohesive and high-quality learning experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Lead Multimedia Content Designer," the responsibilities and required tools (Articulate 360, Open EdX, Learnosity, H5P) indicate a strong overlap with the field of educational technology operations and instructional design. The role involves not just creative design but also the operational execution and strategic deployment of multimedia content within a learning management system and broader educational framework. This suggests a need for understanding how multimedia assets function operationally within an educational technology stack.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the conception, design, and development of multimedia content, including graphics, motion graphics, and interactive elements, for WGU Academy's curriculum and product interventions.
• Ensure all multimedia content adheres to WGU's brand standards, visual identity, and web accessibility guidelines (e.g., WCAG compliance, alternate text, color contrast, keyboard navigation).
• Consult with course designers and instructional technologists to provide expertise in visual storytelling, multimedia production best practices, and effective engagement strategies.
• Resource and distribute design tasks to a team of multimedia designers, overseeing project timelines, quality, and alignment with strategic objectives.
• Take ownership of intervention work, testing new multimedia features, and providing feedback for product enhancements within the learning platform.
• Collaborate with Product Management, Engineering, and Curriculum Development teams to support upcoming sprints, larger initiatives, and new feature rollouts with innovative design solutions.
• Review and approve multimedia assets created by other designers, ensuring consistency, quality, and adherence to project requirements.
• Stay abreast of emerging trends in multimedia design, educational technology, and AI-driven content creation to continuously improve WGU's learning materials.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibility to "resource and distribute designers" and "take on intervention work and test new features" points to a leadership and operational management aspect within the design function. This implies the need for project management skills, capacity planning for design resources, and a hands-on approach to testing and validating new educational technology features, which are critical in an operations context.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., Graphic Design, Multimedia Arts, Digital Media, Instructional Design) is typically required.
• Master's degree or Doctorate may be preferred or allow for reduced experience requirements.
• Equivalent relevant experience performing the essential functions of the job may substitute for formal education degrees, at the discretion of the hiring manager.

Experience:

• A minimum of 7+ years of professional experience in multimedia content design, visual design, or a related creative field is generally expected.
• A minimum of 4+ years of experience is required if holding a Master's degree.
• A minimum of 2+ years of experience is required if holding a Doctorate.
• Demonstrated experience working within established brand systems across multiple channels.
• Proven experience collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams, particularly in the context of learning or performance solutions.

Required Skills:

• Strong Portfolio: A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a wide range of multimedia design work, including examples of visual storytelling, graphic design, and motion graphics.
• Design Software Proficiency: Mastery of industry-standard design tools, including but not limited to Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects), and potentially 3D modeling software.
• E-Learning Authoring Tools: Proficiency in Articulate 360 (Storyline, Rise) and H5P for creating interactive learning content.
• Learning Management System (LMS) Familiarity: Experience with platforms like OpenEdX and Learnosity, understanding how multimedia content integrates and functions within these environments.
• Web Accessibility Standards: Deep understanding and practical application of web accessibility principles (WCAG), including knowledge of alternate text, color contrast, multiple means of representation, and keyboard controls.
• Graphic Creation: Ability to create high-quality graphics and assets for digital, print, and motion graphics applications.
• Collaboration & Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a proven ability to collaborate effectively with diverse teams and stakeholders.
• Microsoft Office & Google Suite: Proficiency in standard productivity software for documentation, presentations, and project management.

Preferred Skills:

• AI Prompt Engineering: Experience leveraging Artificial Intelligence tools and engineering effective prompts to improve design workflows and content generation.
• Media Production: Background in media production, including video editing, audio recording, and post-production.
• Adult Learning Theories: Familiarity with principles of adult learning (andragogy) and instructional design models (e.g., ADDIE, SAM) to inform multimedia design choices.
• Graduate Degree: A Master's or Doctoral degree in a relevant field.

📝 Enhancement Note: The extensive list of required tools, including LMS platforms like OpenEdX and authoring tools like Articulate 360 and H5P, strongly suggests that this role operates within an educational technology operations framework. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate how they have integrated multimedia assets into these systems and ensured their accessibility and effectiveness within a structured learning environment. The emphasis on "intervention work" also implies a need to understand how multimedia can be used to address learning gaps or improve student performance within a defined operational process.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Comprehensive Showcase: A robust portfolio demonstrating a breadth of multimedia design skills, including UI/UX for learning modules, motion graphics, explainer videos, infographics, and interactive elements.
• Problem/Solution Focus: Case studies within the portfolio that clearly articulate a design problem, the proposed multimedia solution, the design process, and measurable outcomes or impact on learning engagement.
• Accessibility Integration: Specific examples within the portfolio that highlight how web accessibility standards were incorporated into multimedia design and development.
• Tool Proficiency Examples: Visual evidence or descriptions of projects created using key tools such as Articulate 360, H5P, and Adobe Creative Suite, demonstrating practical application.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Ability to document and articulate the multimedia content creation workflow, from initial brief and concept development to final asset delivery and integration.
• Brand System Adherence: Demonstrations of how brand guidelines and style guides were applied consistently across various multimedia projects.
• Collaboration Protocols: Evidence of experience working within collaborative design processes, including feedback loops, stakeholder reviews, and cross-functional team integration.
• System Integration Strategy: Examples or explanations of how multimedia assets were designed for seamless integration into specific learning platforms (e.g., OpenEdX, Learnosity) and content authoring tools.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the operational nature of this role within WGU Academy, the portfolio should not just showcase creative output but also the candidate's ability to manage the production process, ensure technical integration, and meet accessibility standards operationally. Demonstrating experience with specific e-learning authoring tools and LMS platforms is critical, as these are the operational environments where the multimedia content will live and be managed.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $88,300.00 - $132,400.00 per year (USD)

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health & Wellness: Medical, Dental, Vision, Telehealth, and Mental Healthcare services.
• Financial Well-being: Health Savings Account (HSA), Flexible Spending Account (FSA), Retirement Savings Plan.
• Insurance: Basic and Voluntary Life Insurance, Disability Coverage, Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity Supplemental Coverages.
• Additional Perks: Legal Coverage, Identity Theft Protection, Wellbeing Program, Discounted WGU Tuition.
• Time Off: Flexible Paid Time Off (PTO) with no accrual requirement, Flexible Paid Sick Time with no accrual requirement, 11 Paid Holidays, and up to 12 weeks of Paid Parental Leave.

Working Hours:

• This is a full-time position, working 40 standard weekly hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is for a "Professional 310" grade, indicating a mid-to-senior level professional role within WGU's compensation structure. The extensive benefits package, including flexible PTO and sick time with no accrual, reflects a strong focus on employee well-being and work-life balance, which is often a key consideration for professionals in demanding roles within the education technology sector.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Higher Education, EdTech, Online Learning Company Size: Large (WGU is a significant institution with thousands of employees, indicated by its wide reach and operational scale). Founded: 1997 Company Description: Western Governors University (WGU) is a pioneering, fully online, competency-based university dedicated to expanding access to higher education. WGU focuses on providing affordable, effective, and flexible degree programs that help students achieve their career aspirations. The university is recognized for its innovative approach to learning, emphasizing student outcomes and career readiness.

Team Structure:

• WGU Academy Focus: This role is within WGU Academy, likely a division or program focused on foundational or preparatory education, potentially serving as a pathway for students into WGU's degree programs.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: The role requires close collaboration with various departments, including curriculum development, instructional design, product management, engineering, and potentially marketing, highlighting a matrixed and team-oriented operational environment.
• Leadership Role: As a "Lead," the position implies direct or indirect leadership over a team of multimedia designers, involving resource allocation, project oversight, and mentorship.

Methodology:

• Competency-Based Education (CBE): WGU's core operational model is CBE, which influences how content is designed, delivered, and assessed. Multimedia content must support this methodology.
• Data-Driven Improvement: WGU leverages data analytics to inform curriculum development, identify areas for improvement, and enhance student success metrics. Multimedia design likely contributes to this by creating engaging content that positively impacts learning analytics.
• Agile Development: Supporting "upcoming sprints and larger initiatives" suggests an adoption of agile or iterative development processes, requiring flexibility and responsiveness in design and production.

Company Website: https://www.wgu.edu/

📝 Enhancement Note: The context of WGU Academy suggests a focus on foundational learning, which means multimedia content may need to be particularly clear, engaging, and supportive for students entering higher education. The company's mission-driven nature and focus on student success are key cultural elements that operational roles must align with.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Lead, indicating a mid-to-senior level professional with both individual contributor and team leadership responsibilities. In an operations context, this means not only executing design tasks but also contributing to process improvement, resource management, and strategic direction for multimedia content within the educational technology framework.

Reporting Structure: While not explicitly stated, a Lead typically reports to a Manager or Director of Multimedia Design, Instructional Design, or Educational Technology. They would likely manage a team of Multimedia Content Designers or Graphic Designers and collaborate closely with instructional designers and project managers.

Operations Impact: The Lead Multimedia Content Designer significantly impacts operational efficiency and effectiveness by:

• Ensuring high-quality, accessible, and engaging learning materials that contribute to student retention and success rates.
• Streamlining the multimedia content creation process through effective resource management and potentially process improvements.
• Enhancing the user experience within the learning platform through visually compelling and intuitive design.
• Supporting the operational goals of WGU Academy by providing critical visual assets for curriculum development and product enhancements.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Progression: Potential to advance into a Manager or Director role overseeing larger design teams or broader creative functions within WGU.
• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas like AI-driven design workflows, advanced motion graphics, or accessibility compliance within educational technology.
• Cross-Functional Mobility: Opportunities to move into roles in Instructional Design, Product Management, or Project Management within the EdTech space, leveraging a strong understanding of content operations.
• Continuous Learning: The company's emphasis on "continued learning" and the encouragement to "leverage AI" suggests a commitment to professional development, offering avenues to acquire new skills in emerging technologies and methodologies relevant to the operations field.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Lead" title and the mention of "resource and distribute designers" clearly place this role in a position of operational oversight. Growth would likely involve expanding this oversight to larger teams, more complex projects, or strategic planning for multimedia operations within the academy.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an on-site position at WGU’s office in Salt Lake City, Utah, indicating a traditional office setting designed for in-person collaboration. Office Location(s): Salt Lake City, Utah.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: The office environment likely includes collaborative spaces designed for team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and cross-functional work, crucial for a role that partners with various departments.
• Technology & Tools: Employees will have access to the necessary hardware, software, and network infrastructure to perform their roles, including powerful workstations for design software, and access to WGU’s internal systems and learning platforms.
• Team Interaction: The on-site nature facilitates direct interaction with colleagues, fostering a sense of team cohesion and enabling spontaneous problem-solving and knowledge sharing essential for operational teams.

Work Schedule:

• Standard 40-hour work week, typical for full-time professional roles. The "flexible paid time off" and "flexible paid sick time" suggest a degree of autonomy and trust within this structured schedule, allowing employees to manage their time effectively while meeting operational demands.

📝 Enhancement Note: An on-site role in a large educational institution like WGU typically implies a structured, professional environment focused on delivering consistent operational output. The emphasis on collaboration within the office space is key for smooth workflow integration between design and other operational teams.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Introductory Call (~30 minutes): An initial screening with a recruiter or hiring manager to assess alignment with the role's core requirements, understand your background, and discuss your interest in WGU's mission. Be prepared to articulate your experience with multimedia design for educational contexts and your understanding of WGU's competency-based model.
• MS Teams Interview (1 hour) with Hiring Leaders: This stage will involve deeper discussions with key stakeholders, likely including the hiring manager and senior designers or instructional designers. It will include a short design challenge.
  • Design Challenge: Expect a focused task that tests your ability to quickly grasp a design problem related to educational content, apply WGU's brand and accessibility standards, and propose a multimedia solution. Prepare to discuss your thought process, tool choices, and rationale.
  • Behavioral & Situational Questions: Be ready to answer questions about your leadership style, collaboration experience, problem-solving approaches, and how you handle project constraints or feedback.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate for Relevance: Select portfolio pieces that best showcase your experience with educational content, accessibility, and the specific tools mentioned (Articulate 360, H5P, Adobe Suite). Prioritize projects demonstrating visual storytelling and engagement.
• Highlight Process & Impact: For each project, clearly describe the problem, your role, the process you followed, the tools used, and the outcomes or impact (e.g., improved student engagement, accessibility compliance achieved). Quantify results where possible.
• Accessibility Demonstration: Explicitly point out how accessibility was integrated into your designs. This is a critical requirement for this role.
• AI Integration Example: If you have experience using AI for design workflows, be prepared to walk through an example in your portfolio or discuss how you would leverage it.
• Concise Presentation: Be ready to present your portfolio efficiently, focusing on the most relevant examples and being prepared to dive deeper into specific projects as requested.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand WGU's Model: Research WGU's competency-based education model and its implications for content design. Understand the target audience for WGU Academy.
• Accessibility First: Practice designing with accessibility as a primary consideration. Think about how to create content that is usable by all learners.
• Tool Proficiency: Refresh your skills in Articulate 360 and be prepared to discuss your experience with other listed tools.
• Visual Storytelling: Prepare to outline how you would approach telling a story visually for a specific educational concept.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes a practical assessment through a design challenge and a review of your portfolio. Candidates should prepare to demonstrate not only their creative skills but also their understanding of educational technology operational requirements, including accessibility and integration with specific platforms.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential for graphic design, photo editing, illustration, and motion graphics (e.g., Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects).
• Articulate 360: A suite of tools for creating interactive e-learning content, including Storyline and Rise. Critical for developing multimedia learning modules.
• H5P: An open-source framework for creating and sharing interactive HTML5 content, often integrated into LMS platforms.
• Microsoft Office Suite: For documentation, presentations, and project management (Word, PowerPoint, Excel).
• Google Suite: For collaborative document creation and project management (Docs, Sheets, Slides).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Familiarity with analytics dashboards within LMS platforms (e.g., OpenEdX, Learnosity) to understand user engagement with multimedia content.
• Ability to interpret design performance metrics to inform future content development.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM/automation role, understanding how multimedia assets are deployed and managed within an LMS context is key.
• Proprietary Tools: Expect to learn and utilize WGU's internal systems and tools for content management and deployment.

Integration & Content Platforms:

• OpenEdX: Experience or familiarity with this open-source LMS platform, understanding how multimedia content is embedded and interacts within courses.
• Learnosity: A platform for assessments and e-learning content, suggesting experience with similar interactive content environments.
• Adobe Acrobat: For PDF creation, editing, and ensuring accessibility standards in document formats.

📝 Enhancement Note: The extensive list of required software and platforms highlights the operational and technical demands of this role. Proficiency in e-learning authoring tools and familiarity with LMS environments are not just design skills but operational necessities for delivering consistent, accessible, and engaging educational content. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience integrating multimedia assets within these specific systems.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Student-Centricity: A core value at WGU, meaning all operational decisions and creative outputs should prioritize student success, accessibility, and a positive learning experience.
• Innovation & Continuous Improvement: Encouragement to explore new technologies (like AI) and methodologies to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of multimedia content creation and delivery.
• Collaboration & Teamwork: Emphasis on working effectively with diverse teams, sharing knowledge, and contributing to collective goals within the WGU Academy.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Using analytics and feedback to inform design choices and measure the impact of multimedia content on learning outcomes.
• Integrity & Accountability: Upholding high standards in design quality, accessibility, and project delivery, taking ownership of responsibilities.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Expect a highly collaborative environment where designers work closely with instructional designers, subject matter experts, product managers, and engineers to translate learning objectives into engaging multimedia experiences.
• Iterative Feedback Loops: A culture that embraces constructive feedback from peers and stakeholders to refine designs and ensure alignment with project goals and user needs.
• Knowledge Sharing: Opportunities to share best practices, new techniques, and insights with the broader design and educational technology teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture at WGU is deeply rooted in its mission. Operational roles, including this design position, are expected to embody this mission by focusing on student outcomes, accessibility, and continuous improvement in the delivery of education.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creative Vision with Operational Constraints: Effectively translating creative ideas into multimedia assets that meet strict accessibility standards, brand guidelines, and technical requirements within an LMS environment.
• Scaling Content Production: Meeting the demand for high-quality multimedia content across numerous courses and programs while managing design resources and timelines efficiently.
• Keeping Pace with Technology: Continuously learning and adapting to new design tools, AI advancements, and evolving best practices in multimedia and educational technology.
• Ensuring Universal Accessibility: Designing for a diverse student population with varying needs, ensuring all multimedia content is perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Skill Enhancement: Opportunities to deepen expertise in advanced multimedia techniques, e-learning authoring tools, AI generative design, and accessibility compliance.
• Industry Exposure: Potential for participation in educational technology conferences, webinars, and workshops to stay current with industry trends.
• Leadership Development: Training and mentorship for aspiring leaders, focusing on team management, project oversight, and strategic contribution to multimedia operations.
• Cross-Training: Exposure to other areas within WGU Academy, such as instructional design or product development, fostering a holistic understanding of the educational technology ecosystem.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges in this role are directly tied to the operational demands of producing accessible, engaging, and scalable educational content within a structured EdTech environment. Growth opportunities are framed around enhancing these operational capabilities and expanding leadership within the design and content production functions.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to balance creative design principles with strict accessibility requirements. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your process for integrating accessibility from the outset.)
• "How would you lead a team of multimedia designers to support multiple concurrent sprints for WGU Academy? What tools or strategies would you use for resource allocation and project tracking?" (Highlight your leadership and operational management skills.)
• "Walk us through a project where you used multimedia to solve a specific learning challenge or improve student engagement. What was your process, and how did you measure success?" (Prepare a case study from your portfolio that demonstrates impact.)
• "Imagine we're launching a new feature that requires interactive multimedia elements. What are the first steps you would take, and who would you involve in the process?" (Showcase your understanding of cross-functional collaboration and project initiation.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about WGU's mission and our competency-based education model?" (Research WGU extensively and articulate how your values align.)
• "How do you stay updated on emerging trends in multimedia design and educational technology, particularly AI applications?" (Demonstrate your commitment to continuous learning.)
• "Describe your experience working with learning management systems and e-learning authoring tools like Articulate 360 or H5P." (Be specific about your hands-on experience.)
• "How would you ensure your team's work aligns with WGU's brand standards and accessibility policies?" (Emphasize your understanding of operational compliance and quality control.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Prepare a concise presentation (e.g., 5-7 slides) highlighting 2-3 key projects. For each, include: Problem/Objective, Your Role & Process, Tools Used, Key Design Decisions (especially regarding accessibility and engagement), and Outcomes/Impact.
• Visuals: Use high-quality screenshots and short video clips where appropriate to showcase your work effectively.
• Narrative: Tell a compelling story for each project, focusing on how your design solutions addressed specific needs and contributed to educational goals.
• Tool Demonstration: Be ready to briefly discuss or demonstrate how you used specific tools (e.g., Articulate Storyline interactions, After Effects animations).
• Accessibility Focus: Clearly articulate your approach to accessibility in each relevant project.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to assess your practical design skills, leadership potential, understanding of the educational technology landscape, and cultural fit. Preparing specific examples and case studies, especially those demonstrating accessibility and operational integration, will be crucial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Lead Multimedia Content Designer position:

• Submit your application through the WGU online job portal via the provided link.
• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects demonstrating expertise in educational content design, e-learning authoring tools (Articulate 360, H5P), accessibility standards, and visual storytelling. Include case studies that show problem-solving and impact.
• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly outlines your years of experience, proficiency with required software (Adobe Suite, Articulate 360, H5P, etc.), experience with LMS platforms (OpenEdX, Learnosity), and any leadership or project management responsibilities. Use keywords from the job description.
• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, leadership approach, and understanding of WGU's mission. Prepare to discuss your portfolio and complete the design challenge effectively. Research WGU Academy's role within the university.
• Company Research: Gain a deep understanding of WGU's competency-based education model, its mission, and its target audience. Familiarize yourself with the company culture and values to articulate your fit during interviews.

⚠️ 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.