Lead Academic Program Manager (Department Chair) - Cyber Security/AI
About The Position
As Lead Academic Program Manager in the WGU School of Technology, you are the end-to-end owner of an academic program throughout its lifecycle. Responsibilities span pre-definition research—including market-segment selection, targeted skills, graduate and student demand, competitive analysis, portfolio strategy, pricing, program requirements, and program-level P&L—to building and launching the program with academic program directors, subject matter experts, and program development teams. You will ensure programs are delivered with appropriate quality, on time, and within budget. After launch, you will work with marketing and partnership teams to drive student adoption, monitor student success, collaborate with stakeholders on ongoing improvements to student outcomes and market relevance, and manage program-level P&L. Success means planning, building, delivering, and profitably scaling programs for underserved students while supporting strong retention and student ROI. The role drives continuous experimentation, measurement, and data-informed learning to improve program quality and student delivery. It leads academic program leaders, instructional faculty, and student coaches or mentors, and indirectly leads a diverse team of 25 or more people. The position requires occasional travel of up to 20%, including typically one to two designated company summits annually, as well as possible conferences, company-location visits, and other business events.
Requirements
- Master's degree in a business or technical field; alternatively, a bachelor's degree plus 7 years of directly relevant experience will be considered.
- 3–5 years of professional experience in Cybersecurity and/or Artificial Intelligence (AI) and/or Technical Product Management.
- 4 or more years of related experience, including a combination of program P&L responsibility and the ability to plan and operate degree-granting educational programs focused on student outcomes, student satisfaction, and profitability.
- Experience owning a product, program, or major initiative across its full lifecycle, including voice of the customer.
- Experience managing or developing educational programs, products, or similar complex initiatives with measurable outcomes.
- Deep understanding of how students learn and how innovative curriculum and student-support strategies can drive student success.
- Customer or student focus centered on successful outcomes.
- Knowledge of industry trends, job opportunities, and educational market trends in the relevant discipline.
- Strong people leadership, execution, cross-functional coordination, coaching, collaboration, and relationship-building skills.
- Ability to lead and manage teams, including remote teams, and work effectively in a highly matrixed organization.
- Ability to influence stakeholders at all levels, act as an agent of change, analyze data to identify trends and drive innovation, and make sound judgments and decisions.
- Strong oral and written communication skills.
- Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer; must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.
Nice To Haves
- Doctorate degree in a relevant area from an accredited institution.
- Experience in higher education.
- CISSP, CISM, or AI-related certifications.
- Experience developing online education programs and/or developing and scaling rapidly changing organizations or programs.
- Experience developing curriculum and/or high-stakes assessments.
- Demonstrated success in change management and bringing order and structure to complex situations.
Responsibilities
- Own the academic program end to end across its full lifecycle.
- Conduct pre-definition research, including market-segment selection, targeted skills, market demand for graduates, student demand, competitive analysis, portfolio strategy, pricing, program requirements, and program-level P&L planning.
- Work with academic program directors and subject matter experts to define curriculum and with program development teams to build and launch programs with appropriate quality, on time, and within budget.
- Work with marketing and partnership teams to drive student adoption after program launch.
- Monitor and track student success, and work with stakeholders to adjust programs to improve student outcomes and market relevance.
- Manage program-level P&L and scale programs profitably while supporting student retention and ROI.
- Promote continuous experimentation, measurement, and data-informed improvement to program quality and student delivery.
- Lead academic program leaders, instructional faculty, and student coaches or mentors, including indirectly leading a diverse team of 25 or more people.
- Communicate effectively, collaborate across the organization, manage ambiguity, drive results, build effective teams, and support organizational learning.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
- Travel occasionally, up to 20%, including designated company summits and other business-related events as needed.
Benefits
- Eligible for bonuses.
- Medical, dental, vision, telehealth, and mental healthcare coverage.
- Health savings account and flexible spending account.
- Basic and voluntary life insurance.
- Disability coverage.
- Accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity supplemental coverage.
- Legal and identity theft coverage.
- Retirement savings plan.
- Wellbeing program.
- Discounted WGU tuition.
- Flexible paid time off without accrual.
- Flexible paid sick time without accrual.
- 11 paid holidays.
- Other paid leaves, including up to 12 weeks of parental leave.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
