Director, Innovation and Online Learning

Director, Innovation and Online Learning

Job Type: Full-Time Regular

Job Number: 2026-00013

Department: Distance Education

Location: TJC Central Campus

Opening Date: February 16, 2026

Number of Months: 12

Description:

Tyler Junior College gives equal consideration to all applicants for admission, employment, and participation in its programs and activities without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, or limited English proficiency (LEP). Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time. All positions are on-site, located in Tyler, Texas, unless otherwise stated in the job posting.

About the Position:

The Director of Innovation and Online Learning provides visionary leadership for Tyler Junior Colleges institutional learning ecosystem, encompassing faculty and staff development, distance education, and digital learning innovation. The Director establishes institutional frameworks that strengthen workforce readiness, instructional quality, and organizational effectiveness while ensuring that all online and hybrid courses meet state, federal, and accreditor standards (SACSCOC, THECB, USDOE). This role provides the vision, leadership, planning, operational management, and evaluation of all components of Distance Education and Professional Development for the College.

Responsibilities:

• Develops, articulates, and drives institutional strategy for professional learning and digital education, ensuring alignment with the Colleges mission, accreditation standards, and long-term strategic goals;
• Develops vision and strategies for growing distance education and expanding the development of online educational programs that offer substantive value for learners;
• Provides guidance and leadership for institutional efforts to implement responsible Al adoption in teaching and learning, ensuring alignment with academic standards, innovation goals, and ethical practices;
• Establishes and enforces institutional policies and compliance frameworks governing online and hybrid course quality in alignment with SACSCOC, THECB, and USDOE standards;
• Oversees the identification, implementation, integration, and maintenance of the Colleges learning management system;
• Designs, oversees, and evaluates the institutional strategy for the online student experience, ensuring high-quality digital engagement, accessibility, and support throughout the student learning journey;
• Leads the development and institutionalization of data-driven quality assurance systems that ensure compliance, readiness, and academic integrity across all digital learning environments;
• Leads strategic partnerships with internal and external stakeholders to advance institutional initiatives, secure resources, and promote academic innovation;
• Advances institutional performance and learning outcomes through review of analytics, performance dashboards, and impact measures;
• Provides oversight and fiscal stewardship for the integrated Learning and Development and Distance Education budgets, leveraging institutional, grant-funded (e.g., Title 111), and donor-supported resources to advance strategic initiatives and institutional priorities;
• Provides direction, in collaboration with academic and student services, to provide online students with support services, including academic advising, tutoring, and technical support;
• Provides guidance for academic leadership to ensure student experience is optimal and consistent across the institution;
• Serves as ex-officio on the distance education committee to gather input and seek guidance to ensure the success of online learning initiatives;
• Oversees efforts to make online courses and materials accessible to all students, including those with disabilities, and ensure compliance with relevant accessibility standards;
• Oversees the development and implementation of faculty resources to ensure best practices in online and hybrid instruction;
• Provides leadership for the evaluation, selection, and maintenance of online learning technologies that best support the Colleges course offerings;
• Serves as the institutional representative and advocate for teaching, learning, and digital education at the local, state, and national levels;
• Engages in professional research and represents the College as a thought leader in learning innovation, digital education, and organizational development.

Learning and Development:

• Provides leadership over all Center operations, setting institutional priorities, policy frameworks, and performance outcomes for Learning and Development and Distance Education;
• Sets institutional priorities and standards for professional learning and instructional excellence, ensuring collegewide integration of high-impact practices and continuous improvement systems;
• Establishes a comprehensive faculty mentorship and peer leadership framework that advances instructional excellence, fosters collaboration, and supports faculty success across all teaching modalities;
• Provides leadership, supervision, and mentorship to the Innovation and Online Learning team, fostering a climate of innovation, accountability, and growth;
• Provides direction and oversight of institutional faculty development frameworks, ensuring integration of active and experiential learning, instructional innovation, and digital pedagogy;
• Provides oversight of staff development initiatives, ensuring alignment with institutional goals for employee engagement, workforce development, and organizational effectiveness;
• Collaborates with divisional leadership to align leadership development and faculty and staff training with institutional priorities and workforce planning;
• Establishes institutional recognition frameworks and faculty engagement models that promote peer leadership and teaching excellence;
• Champions a collegewide culture of continuous learning and innovation, ensuring professional development opportunities align with institutional growth and employee engagement goals;
• Performs other duties as assigned in support of institutional strategy and academic excellence.

Competencies:

• Demonstrated expertise in accreditation and regulatory frameworks (SACSCOC, THECB, USDOE, RSI, ADA, Quality Matters) with the ability to interpret, apply, and lead institutional compliance strategy for distance education and professional learning;
• Advanced knowledge of emerging trends, national standards, and evidence-based practices in organizational learning, faculty development, and workforce innovation;
• Comprehensive understanding of educational technology ecosystems, digital learning infrastructure, and online pedagogy to inform long-range strategic planning and institutional investment decisions;
• Proven leadership and organizational management skills, including the ability to lead cross-divisional teams, influence institutional change, and foster a culture of innovation and accountability;
• Exceptional relationship management and collaboration skills; able to build consensus and cultivate partnerships across academic, administrative, and external constituencies to advance institutional goals;
• Strategic innovator who drives institutional transformation through creative program design, change leadership, and data-informed decision-making;
• Recognized authority in digital learning and instructional excellence, capable of guiding institutional policy, resource prioritization, and innovation in teaching and learning;
• Demonstrated competency in learning management systems and technology resources such as Canvas LMS, Office 365, Camtasia, Panopto, or similar technologies preferred;
• Extensive higher education experience preferred, with demonstrated understanding of academic culture, shared governance, and faculty development practices.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Direct supervision of multiple employees, including five full-time, one part-time, and three student assistants;
• Work environment: typical office setting with potential for work outside of normal business hours;
• Physical demands: sitting, walking, standing, bending, and repetitive typing;
• Travel required: yes, 20% minimal.

Education:

• Masters degree required in Educational Technology, Instructional Design, Online Teaching and Learning, Educational Leadership, Adult Education/Learning, Higher Education Administration, Curriculum and Instruction, Organizational Development/Human Resources Development, or a related field.

Experience:

• Five years of related experience in distance education and/or learning and development preferred;
• Extensive experience with the administration, maintenance, and support of common LMS platforms preferred;
• Experience with active and/or experiential learning;
• Teaching experience in a higher education setting preferred.

Additional Information:

• Please note that this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
• Will have contact - in person, by email, or by phone - with staff, students, and the general public;
• Must exhibit a sensitivity to and an understanding of the diverse academic, socio-economic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds of staff and students and to staff and students with disabilities;
• Regular and punctual attendance is an essential function of each employee;
• This is a security-sensitive position. Candidates will be subject to a criminal background check.

Benefits:

• Health Insurance: Health insurance will become effective on the first of the month following 60 days of employment, provided that insurance enrollment forms are submitted. There are two plans for employees to choose from, both administered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield.
• Life Insurance: The State provides employees a term life insurance policy of $5,000 with $5,000 accidental death and dismemberment.
• Long-Term Disability: This benefit is made available by the State and is fully funded by the College. Approved benefit pays 60% of insurance salary after 180-day elimination period.
• Optional Term Life Insurance: Employees may purchase one to four times their annual salary in life insurance. The College funds one times the annual salary premium not to exceed $120 annually.
• Dental Insurance: Two dental insurance plans are available to full-time employees and eligible dependents.
• Vision Insurance: The health insurance plan covers some vision and eye health services, but does not cover the cost of eyeglasses and contact lenses. Additional vision insurance is offered to full-time employees and eligible dependents to help offset those costs.
• Voluntary Accidental Death and Dismemberment: Several optional plans are available to employees and eligible dependents through AFLAC.
• Dependent Term Life Insurance: An optional term-life insurance policy of $5,000 with accidental death and dismemberment is available for all eligible dependents.
• Tobacco User Premium: All participants enrolled in a Texas Employees Group Benefits Program (GBP) health plan must be certified as a tobacco user or non-user.
• Retirement: The Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) is provided and required for all full-time employees. Full-time faculty and eligible administrative employees may elect the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) as an alternative to TRS.
• TJC Alternative Retirement Plan: The College contributes on a monthly basis 4% of a full-time employees salary into an alternative retirement plan administered by TIAA-CREF.