Product Line Manager - ALU Online Programs

ABOUT ALU

ALU provides higher education for a higher purpose. Our students declare missions, not majors.
They develop the real-world skills to take on the world’s most pressing challenges. And they take ownership of their learning from day one through our peer and student-led approach – because ALU believes in the power and agency of young people to start shaping the future right now.
Together with a world-class faculty and staff, our students are igniting a ripple of positive impact across Africa and the world.

We are dedicated to fostering an open yet secure environment, balancing the safety of students, staff, and visitors with respect for individual rights, and safeguarding responsibilities.

HOW WE WORK

As a high-growth start-up, the ALU Team works in starkly different ways to traditional academic bureaucracies. We approach education from first principles, empower individuals to design, test, and implement creative new ideas, and work closely together to craft transformative learning experiences. We are deeply passionate about our students and excited by the challenge of building something entirely new.  

The African Leadership University is committed to ensuring the safety and Well-being of all students under our care. As part of this commitment , we have a comprehensive safeguarding policy in place , which outlines our Zero-tolerance approach to any violation of safeguarding.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Product Line Manager is responsible for the overall design, development, and implementation (strategy and execution), measurement, assessment, and continuous improvement of the learning products associated with the ALU’s online learning programs. The inaugural leader in this role will drive the development and implementation of high quality learning experiences with operational excellence and financial sustainability that lead to enhanced institutional reputation. 

Unique features within the University context:

Keeping the needs of a diverse user base of students, faculty, staff, and alumni in mind as well as a potentially complex organizational framework. Balancing innovation with resource limitations.Aligning product launches and releases with academic cycles.Ensuring products are accessible to all users, including those with disabilities.

Reporting to: Chief Product Officer

Team:

• Product Designer - BBM Program
• Product Designer BSD
• Technical Implementation Specialist
• Adjunct staff as appropriate

RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Product Vision & Roadmap Execution:

• Contribute to and champion the product vision to align the University's mission, goals, and strategic plan.
• Develop and maintain a product line roadmap for ALU Online programs that prioritises initiatives based on user needs, business value, and feasibility.
• Conduct market research and competitive analysis relevant to the higher education ecosystem in which ALU’s online programs would operate.
• While collaborating with the institutional quality assurance team, spearhead the accreditation or reaccreditation of online programs in Rwanda and Mauritius..

User-Centric Approach:

• Deeply understand user needs for the online programs target market through user research, surveys, and data analysis, representing the voice of students, faculty, and staff.
• Advocate for user-centered design to ensure products are intuitive, accessible, and meet user expectations.
• Oversee the Measurement, Assessment, and Continuous improvement strategy for the ALU online program lines.

Product Implementation:

• Lead the product line(s) implementation lifecycle.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, as appropriate.
• Help to define the product requirements and specifications. 
• Manage product implementation backlog and prioritize features with respect to online learning programs.

Stakeholder Management & Communication:

• Build strong relationships with stakeholders, including senior leadership, faculty, staff, and students.
• Effectively communicate product vision, strategy, and progress.
• Facilitate stakeholder alignment to ensure everyone is on the same page regarding product priorities and goals.
• Research and negotiate partnership agreements as appropriate in support of a rapid, effective, and financially sustainable delivery solution for online programs.

Data Analysis & Performance Measurement:

• Define key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure product success and track progress toward goals.
• Analyze product data and user metrics to identify areas for improvement and inform product decisions.
• Communicate product performance to stakeholders.

Innovation & Continuous Improvement:

• Foster a culture of innovation by encouraging experimentation and exploring new ideas.
• Stay up-to-date with emerging technologies.
• Continuously improve products based on user feedback, data analysis, and market trends.

Institutional Service

• As with all staff, the Product Line Manager will be expected to participate in institutional service, such as serving on committees, participating periodically in outreach activities, engaging in professional development and company retreats, and the like.

Ensure the safety and well-being of all young persons and vulnerable adults with whom we deal,  by adhering to ALU’s comprehensive safeguarding policy, maintaining a zero-tolerance approach to any violations of safeguarding standards.

Requirements:

Essential

• A Master’s degree preferably in fields related to instructional technology, education, business, product management, learning design, or the like.
• A minimum of 5 years progressive experience in online learning in the context of higher education.   
• Familiarity with Learning Experience Design methodologies, particularly in support of competency-based education.
• Strong commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.
• Ability to navigate uncertainty and ambiguity and the confidence to adopt an experimental and iterative approach finding new and creative ways of addressing student support needs.
• Project management skills, particularly strong work planning, prioritization and stakeholder engagement and management.
• Excellent written, verbal communication, and presentation skills

Desirable

• Professional education or substantive experience in online competency-based education.
• Experience in UX design or learning experience design for online learning.
• Experience managing direct reports or interns.
• Tech savviness: ability to quickly learn to use new technologies, software and tools.
• Experience working at a higher education institution in Africa.
• Experience working in a startup environment.
• Based in the Central African Time Zone +/- one hour.