Senior Manager, Academic Program Management

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The salary range for this position takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs.

At WGU it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their position and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is:

Grade: ManagementExecutive 607

Pay Range: $95300.00 - $157300.00

Job Description

Provides leadership for the execution delivery and continuous improvement of academic products including curriculum assessments and instructional models. This role operates between the Director and Manager levels applying advanced expertise in curriculum and assessment while maintaining strong accountability for delivery execution and team leadership. The role partners closely with academic leaders and cross-functional teams to ensure products are delivered on time within budget and aligned with institutional priorities accreditation standards and student success outcomes.

• Lead execution and continuous improvement of curriculum assessment and instructional model initiatives across assigned academic products.
• Translate academic strategy product vision and program charters into actionable delivery plans managing scope timelines risks and resources.
• Partner with Directors academic leaders Product Evaluation and Operations teams to ensure alignment and high-quality delivery.
• Evaluate program course and assessment performance using quantitative and qualitative data to identify trends and improvement opportunities.
• Ensure curriculum and assessment outputs meet quality accessibility accreditation and regulatory standards.
• Monitor delivery against budgets and timelines surfacing risks dependencies and trade-offs to leadership.
• Drive process improvements that enhance efficiency scalability and consistency in academic product development.

People and Program Leadership

• Manage and develop managers and/or individual contributors responsible for academic product management and improvement.
• Provide coaching mentoring and performance feedback to support team growth and effectiveness.
• Foster collaboration across a highly matrixed organization influencing without full policy ownership.

Decision Making and Scope

• Accountable for execution outcomes delivery quality and operational success of assigned academic products.
• Makes decisions within established academic and product frameworks; escalates enterprise-level strategy or policy decisions as appropriate.
• Influences academic product strategy through data-informed insights and delivery outcomes.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

• Advanced knowledge of curriculum design assessment development and competency-based education models.
• Strong program and product management capabilities including managing complex cross-functional initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze data and metrics to guide decision-making and continuous improvement.
• Proven people leadership coaching and stakeholder influence skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced evolving academic environment and act as an agent of change.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in education Instructional Design Learning Science Assessment Development Education Technology or a related field or equivalent experience.

Experience

• Seven (7) years of related experience which includes three (3) years of supervising a team developing online training and education programs leading change management efforts developing and cultivating partnerships leading multiple projects including developing and managing budgets
• Progressive experience in academic product management curriculum and assessment development or program leadership.
• Experience leading teams managing budgets and delivering complex academic initiatives.

Experience in lieu of education

• Equivalent relevant experience performing the essential functions of this job may substitute for education degree requirements. Generally equivalent relevant experience is defined as 1 year of experience for 1 year of education and is at the discretion of the hiring manager.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced Degree in a related discipline
• Experience in a college-specific area-education healthcare business information technology
• Ten (10) years of leadership experience in a higher education environment
• Experience stabilizing structuring and diffusing ambiguous situations.

Additional Requirements:

• On-site collocation is required
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.

Travel

This position requires occasional travel of up to 20% including required attendance at designated company summits (typically one to two per year). Additional travel may include conferences visits to company locations and other business-related events as needed. Additional travel may be assigned as needed to support business requirements

Position & Application Details

Full-Time Regular Positions (classified as regular and working 40 standard weekly hours): This is a full-time regular position (classified for 40 standard weekly hours) that is eligible for bonuses; medical dental vision telehealth and mental healthcare; health savings account and flexible spending account; basic and voluntary life insurance; disability coverage; accident critical illness and hospital indemnity supplemental coverages; legal and identity theft coverage; retirement savings plan; wellbeing program; discounted WGU tuition; and flexible paid time off for rest and relaxation with no need for accrual flexible paid sick time with no need for accrual 11 paid holidays and other paid leaves including up to 12 weeks of parental leave.

How to Apply: If interested an application will need to be submitted online. Internal WGU employees will need to apply through the internal job board in Workday.

Additional Information

Disclaimer: The job posting highlights the most critical responsibilities and requirements of the job. Its not all-inclusive.

Accommodations: Applicants with disabilities who require assistance or accommodation during the application or interview process should contact our Talent Acquisition team at

Equal Employment Opportunity: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected characteristic as required by law.