Manager, Learning Product Design and Measurement

If you’re passionate about building a better future for individuals, communities, and our country—and you’re committed to working hard to play your part in building that future—consider WGU as the next step in your career.

Driven by a mission to expand access to higher education through online, competency-based degree programs, WGU is also committed to being a great place to work for a diverse workforce of student-focused professionals. The university has pioneered a new way to learn in the 21st century, one that has received praise from academic, industry, government, and media leaders. Whatever your role, working for WGU gives you a part to play in helping students graduate, creating a better tomorrow for themselves and their families.

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: Management_Executive 607

Pay Range: $95,300.00 - $157,300.00

Job Description

The Manager of Design exhibits expertise in the design and measurement of quality online learning experiences. This role oversees a team of innovative learning product owners (LPOs) and leverages deep knowledge of both learning science and product management to mentor our LPOs from associate through senior and beyond. The successful candidate is an exceptional leader, designer, enjoys charting new paths, and is passionate about WGU Academy’s mission.

This position works closely with Academy’s Research & Analytics, Project Management, and Discovery teams, as well as WGU’s Product Launch and Continuous Improvement (PLCI), Program Development (PDev), and Schools. They will work with leaders across the University ecosystem. The Manager of Design is critical to the success of Academy’s Product Design and Development org as we achieve ambitious quarterly goals within our tightly interdependent teams.

Primary Responsibilities Include:

• Leads the best team of Learning Product Owners with various skill levels by; supporting employee development to include - mentoring core design and product management competencies, and learning science while guiding them along the LPO career pathway.

• Guides and drives team to greater science- and data- informed innovation, with an exceptionally strong bias toward action and speed to insight.

• Ensures the team's work is completed on time and within budget and meets the organization’s high standard of quality.

• Collaborates with R&A, Technology, Discovery, and Project Management teams to coordinate projects and iterate on processes to continuously yield new efficiency gains.

• Models leadership and professionalism.

• Develops and maintains a collaborative relationship with all appropriate internal and external stakeholders.

• Stays current with trends and research in learning science, product management, and education technology.

• Balances sometimes competing needs of various stakeholders to recommend and negotiate a path to achieving shared goals.

• Fulfills other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skill and Abilities You’ll Need to Be Successful:

• Exceptional people leadership and mentorship skills.

• Strong project and product management skills.

• Excellent written, oral, presentation, and interpersonal skills.

• Expert in qualitative and quantitative primary research methods.

• Thrives working collaboratively and creatively in a fast-paced environment.

• Strong attention to detail and a feeling of pride and ownership over the quality of our learning experience.

Competencies:

Organizational Impact:

• Plans and establishes goals and objectives for area of expertise, with direct impact on the immediate, or short-term results of the department, function, or office.

• Typically, does not have budget accountability but may manage day-to-day elements of the budget and assist in compiling data to prepare product Charters and annual budgets.

Problem Solving and Decision Making:

• Identifies, recommends, and implements ways to improve services and/or job area efficiency.

• Responsible for input to and application of job area policies.

• Problems and issues faced are general, task-oriented, and may be solved by referencing precedents and policies, and may require understanding of a broader set of jobs/issues.

Communication and Influence:

• Communicates within the job area to direct reports, and collaborates with other people leaders on a variety of issues. Requires the ability to communicate effectively with staff and leadership, including at the executive level.

• Explains policies, practices, and procedures of the job area to others within the University. May work cross-functionally to justify and gain cooperation of other parties on practices, policies, and procedures.

Leadership and Talent Management:

• Supervises a team consisting of product owners and others.

• Coordinates, supervises, and reviews the work of team members.

• Guides and provides on-the-job training to direct reports.

• Monitors performance, coaches employees, and conducts performance reviews.

• Discusses hiring, firing, promotion, performance, and rewards decisions with senior leadership and People and Talent.

• May also retain technical knowledge of day-to-day work of supervisee.

Work Location:

• Salt Lake City Office: This is an in-office role; employees are expected to work onsite four days per week, with one work-from-home day.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree and 5 years of experience in product design content following a user-centered design process OR, master’s degree and 3 years of experience in product design content following a user-centered design process.

• 2 years of mentoring learning experience designers.

• 2 years professional experience leading a team of direct reports.

• Demonstrated experience integrating AI tools into day-to-day work.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Terminal degree in applied learning science or related field.

• Experience working with data analytics.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.

• 5-10% travel

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. It’s 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 [email protected].

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