Learning Design Lead

African Management Institute | Full time

Cape Town, South Africa | Posted on 10/28/2024

AMI is pioneering practical business and management learning for Africa. We equip entrepreneurs with key tools to build their businesses, we help companies build motivated and productive workforces, and we run work-readiness and entry-level programmes for young people starting their careers.

AMI is expanding rapidly. With support from international social impact investors, we have established offices in Nairobi, Johannesburg, Kigali, Kampala, Lagos, Addis and Dakar, and worked for an impressive portfolio of clients in East, West and Southern Africa. We have trained over 94,000 individuals in over 39 African countries to date.

Job Description

The Learning Design Lead will report to the Head of Learning and will lead the Learning Design Team. He/she will work closely with the Learning Leads - including Facilitation and Content Operations Leads to drive systems, processes and people in the unit. The LDL will also work closely with business units to support pipeline review, resource management and allocation, and ensure projects and roadmap are delivered on time. You will be a key player in a dynamic, international team focused obsessively on results. At AMI, we work hard, innovate constantly and have fun.

This is a chance for someone with a passion for learning, technology, and development leadership to be part of Africa’s transformation. We are particularly interested in hearing from people with experience in leading teams to deliver management, leadership, entrepreneurship and digital learning.

Position Overview

As the Learning Design Lead at AMI, you will lead the Learning & Experience Designers within the Learning and Experience Design unit, focusing on the development and innovation of learning products. This role is responsible for managing design processes, resource allocation, and the implementation of agile methodologies to ensure the creation of effective, scalable learning solutions. The content and facilitation teams will have their own dedicated leaders who report directly to the Head of Learning, allowing you to focus solely on the strategic and operational leadership of the Learning Design team. However, with general oversight of core resource allocation across the learning team, you will engage closely with them and support the Head of Learning to make decisions on resources, planning, and process.

You will also directly support the Head of Learning, by contributing to the broader learning strategy and supporting learning analytics, while ensuring alignment with the company’s goals and objectives. This role emphasizes product management techniques, utilizing data-driven decision-making, agile processes, and strong collaboration with cross-functional teams. AMI will consider candidates from any country, but preference will be given to African nationals. Candidates must be willing to live in Africa, Nairobi preferred and free to travel across Africa.

Key Responsibilities

1. Leadership of Learning Design Team: Manage the processes of learning design and act as functional manager to the team of Learning Designers, including overall programme scoping and design, learning experience, workshop, and content design and development.
2. Support in the management of Learning Experience Design, innovating on the cross-functional implementation and project teams that oversee and iterate blended and virtual learning programme delivery.
3. Develop and maintain high standards for learning design processes, incorporating innovation and continuous improvement.
4. Provide leadership and support to Learning Designers, ensuring they have the resources and guidance necessary to succeed.
5. Design and lead design teams to deliver scalable learning content and programmes for Entrepreneurship and Workplace Learning that are impactful, scalable, and world-class.
6. Lead and manage the Learning Design team, ensuring effective resource allocation and performance management.
7. Define and manage the process and pipeline of Learning Design at AMI across segments, units, and countries.
8. Collaborate with the Content and Facilitation teams, ensuring learning products are cohesive and aligned with overall program objectives.
9. Represent the Learning Design team in cross-departmental discussions, advising on design timelines, costs, and best practices.
10. Engage with other product and project managers and business units to align learning design priorities with broader organizational goals.
11. Maintain and develop learning content analytics, using data to inform the development and improvement of learning products.
12. Support the Head of Learning in refining learning analytics frameworks and building a culture of excellence in learning design.
13. Implement feedback loops to continuously improve learning design elements based on user data and feedback.
14. Develop and manage repeatable processes for learning design, ensuring efficient workflows from initial concept through to final product release.
15. Maintain comprehensive product process documentation, including project plans, quality assurance guidelines, and templates specific to learning design.
16. Ensure proper cataloging, tagging, and management of learning design assets for future use and reference.

Requirements

1. Proven experience in learning design, instructional design, or related fields, with a strong understanding of adult learning principles.
2. Demonstrated ability to lead a team, allocate resources, and manage multiple projects within agile frameworks.
3. Deep knowledge of adult learning theory and how to apply these theories in the design of transformative learning experiences.
4. Strong analytical skills with experience in using data to inform learning product development and continuous improvement.
5. Familiarity with digital learning platforms and content development processes.
6. Understanding of agile methodology and ability to handle multiple priorities in a very fluid working environment.
7. Exhibit solid interpersonal and communication skills that enable successful internal and external interaction.
8. Ability to work on your own and with diverse teams.
9. Willingness to engage in robust debate alongside deep respect for others.
10. Absolutely rock-solid integrity.

Education and Experience

1. Experience working in a technology-enabled learning environment, preferably within organizations focused on professional development.
2. Experience with learning analytics or incorporating data into the design process.
3. Familiarity with managing large-scale learning initiatives or international development-focused learning products.
4. 5+ years of related instructional design and development experience (essential).
5. 3-5 years of team leadership in learning context.
6. Design-build, Instructional Design, Instructional Training, E-learning experience.

Team Values

- Be the best: We work really hard, are proud of what we do, and love delighting our clients with quality.
- Own it: We step up to the task, never pass the buck and hold ourselves accountable for delivering results.
- Push the limits: We ask why, embrace failure and try new things. We never settle.
- Do what’s right: We act with integrity, confront dishonesty, treat people fairly and strive to contribute to the greater good.
- Always care: We don’t have ego – it’s always ‘team before me’. We are kind, we celebrate each other’s success, and we care enough to give honest feedback.

Office & Team Life

- Monthly team social events and yearly offsite.
- Regular learning and coaching opportunities.

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