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Experienced instructional designer, academic manager, engagement manager, writer and editor with 12+ years in the field of education. Creative, adaptable and results driven. Based in Zurich, Switzerland.…

John Wallen

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Experienced instructional designer, academic manager, engagement manager, writer and editor with 12+ years in the field of education. Creative, adaptable and results driven. Based in Zurich, Switzerland.…

Available to hire

Experienced instructional designer, academic manager, engagement manager, writer and editor with 12+ years in the field of education. Creative, adaptable and results driven. Based in Zurich, Switzerland.

Skills

Experience Level

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Language

English

Fluent

German

Beginner

Work Experience

Content Designer at Education First

January 1, 2016 - January 1, 2018

Researched and delivered academic assessment content for 4 EdTech products.

Content Designer at Education First

January 1, 2018 - January 1, 2020

Created print & digital content for 12 EdTech products, driving revenue gains in 2018-2019.

Education Manager / Team Lead at EF Yuyao (Yuyao Private School)

January 1, 2013 - January 1, 2016

Recruited and managed a 9-strong team at a private school of 950+ students.

Content Team Lead at English One AG

January 1, 2020 - August 1, 2022

Led a 9-strong team of in-house writers to create educational and training materials; owned QA for 6 multi-million-dollar print & digital educational products.

Pedagogy Expert at The Educational Equality Institute

August 1, 2022 - January 31, 2023

As pedagogy expert, collaborated with third-party content contributors from Oxford University Press, Pearson and others to curate education programs.

Instructional Designer / Educational Content Designer at EF Education First

January 1, 2023 - March 1, 2025

Applied instructional design principles and collaborated with SMEs to design training materials for cutting-edge, award-winning products; managed LMS for 3,000+ users on 6 continents; leveraged digital tools (Articulate, Storyline, Rise, Storyblok, etc.).

Global Programs Manager / Education Projects Lead at EF Education First

January 1, 2025 - Present

Owning all global projects for staff engagement and retention – webinars, workshops, social media, mailing software, newsletters, digests; overseeing volunteering scheme.