Manager, Content

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.

Who is WGU Academy?

At WGU Academy, we work collaboratively to dramatically impact college and workforce readiness efforts on a large scale. Our primary mission is to develop and deliver novel solutions for college and career readiness to tens of thousands, even hundreds of thousands, of individuals and propel them to success in whatever domain they choose.

This is a fully benefited, hybrid position requiring onsite collaboration at least 4 days per week in WGU's Salt Lake City headquarters.

Why consider us?

Dynamic position where you will make a difference in a mission driven environment.

Equipment provided : Choice of Mac or PC laptop

Comprehensive and affordable benefits (including mental health benefits, and generous PTO) plus 403b matches and contributions where we put money into your retirement account, even if you are not contributing.

75% employee tuition discount available at WGU for yourself, and 50% discount for qualifying family members.

Innovative, fun, and enriching team environment where are you valued, given credit where its due, and recognized for your contributions.

Collaborative and cross functional team, where honest communication is prioritized.

What will you be doing?

WGU Academy uses a scrum-based, design thinking framework to create accessible, transformative experiences that ready learners for success.

We are mission-driven, evidence-based, and laser-focused on student success. As the Manager, Content on Academy's Product Design and Development Team, your leadership will guide and support a team of Instructional Technologists, Content Design Writers, and Multimedia Developers divided into two distinct foci : building new non-degree, online, professional skill-building Certificate programs;

and tailoring existing WGU courses and assessments to serve pre-degree students, infusing them with 21st century skills (empathy, teamwork, emotional intelligence, etc.

You will continually refine processes for exceptional, rapid content creation and push the boundaries of the field. You will work closely with the Manager, Design to stay aligned on priorities, goals, and big picture vision.

Your commitment to building positive relationships, busting silos, generating innovative ideas, and motivating teams to do this very best work will serve you well in this role.

Who will you be helping?

WGU Academy's learners are 50% first-generation college students. They are often from minoritized communities, and over 80% are categorized as low-income individuals.

Our learners come to WGU Academy to get ready for college and career success. Our approach is holistic. We seek to enhance cognitive, psychological, and emotional resilience through our learning experiences.

Your designs and deliverables will enable us to do so in beautiful, engaging, and highly effective ways. Your work will help us improve the lives of people who have traditionally been underserved by Higher Education.

Who are you?

You are a player-coach, always willing to pitch in to ensure work is done on time and at the highest levels of quality. Your experience in the design and development of online learning products helps set the bar for what your team can achieve.

You are curious, creative, collaborative, and committed to excellence. You are relentless in your pursuit of continuous learning, growth, and improvement.

You enjoy working at a fast pace on projects that have clear-cut deadlines and objectives. You are mission-driven and love using your skills for the good of society.

How is success measured?

Success is measured with a mix of inputs. First, the quality of your relationships across Academy, with partners at WGU, as a member of the Product Design and Development leadership team, and with the people you are entrusted to lead.

Second, the quality of our products. Your team's work will be expected to conform to our Style Guide and Design Manifesto (once you have your sea legs under you and understand these standards inside and out), as well as reflect best practices in learning science, design thinking, UI design, and instructional interactivity.

Third, quantity. Your team will be expected to produce a set number of Certificates and On-Ramp courses each quarter. Working in sprints, the overall velocity (quantity) will be expected to increase over time, as you continuously seek efficiency gains.

Finally, fidelity. Your work should increasingly reflect a deep understanding of the Rising Talent market, WGU Academy's mission, and the holistic levels of learning we aim to achieve.

Along the way, you will enjoy the full support of your teammates, people leader, and others across Academy. We embrace failure as a learning opportunity and are always looking for ways to help one another succeed.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities :

The Manager, Content exhibits the highest level of expertise in the design, development, and testing of quality learning content-and thrives on sharing this knowledge with others.

This role oversees a team of instructional technologists, writers, and multimedia developers and leverages deep knowledge of message design to mentor the team.

The Manager sets target goals for employees and supports actions need to achieve objectives. The Content Manager is responsible for exceptional content creation and enjoys pushing the boundaries of the field and seeking new and innovative ways to support student learning.

They will work as part of an agile design team to create digital content that's fit for purpose, iterate on the design, and ultimately develop production-ready assets.

They are an innovative thinker willing to deliver creative solutions with quick turnaround time. The Manager, Content will work with teams versed learning experience design and front- and back-end development-together creating transformational experiences for the Rising Talent market.

Leads a team of developers of various skill levels and supports employee development along with the instructional technologist, multimedia developer, and design writer career pathways.

Hires, trains, and coaches' employees while assessing employee performance and providing helpful feedback and training opportunities to set employees up for success.

Communicates and motivates employees while establishing appropriate methods to evaluate job performance.

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

Participates in a cross-functional, agile design team to develop engaging, effective learning content.

Collaborates with other teams and departments to coordinate projects and iterate on the design and development processes (user-centered design, agile development, and research / efficacy testing).

Works with various levels of leadership to resource and prioritize projects.

Co-creates product messaging strategy with team / project leads, experience designers, and others and ensures content is aligned with desired product goals and outcomes.

Expert in using content concerning learning science and mentors the team in its application.

Models the WGU Cultural Beliefs and Leadership Principles.

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

Stays current with trends and research in design for online learning experiences.

Reviews feedback and provides recommendations for content improvements.

Fulfills other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skill, and Abilities

Exceptional people leadership and mentorship skills

Shows substantial history of strong judgement when creating content in all forms, based on project objectives, messaging, and stakeholder requirements

Strong project and product management skills

Excellent written, oral, visual, presentation, and interpersonal skills

Expert in user-centered design methods applied to content creation and message design

Thrives working collaboratively and creatively in a fast-paced, agile environment

Strong attention to detail and a feeling of pride and ownership over the quality of our products

Ability to emulate emotional intelligence and weave social emotional learning concepts into all materials

Strong prioritization and time management skills to balance multiple demands

Approaches job tasks and projects with a mindset of continuous learning and improvement, developing skills and sophistication, self-motivated to learn new skills.

Competencies :

Organizational Impact :

Manages a team that focuses on executing the operational plans for the job area with measurable contribution to the achievement of the department, function, or office results.

Assigns and distributes work.

Problem Solving and Decision Making :

Responsible for making moderate improvements to processes or systems to enhance the performance of the job area.

Assignments received and problems faced are broad and undefined and occasionally require the use of analytical concepts, investigation, and knowledge from prior experience.

Communication and Influence :

Communicates within job area and occasionally with external groups.

Ensures compliance with university policies and procedures within the job area and may influence others outside of the job area to justify and gain cooperation for policies, practices, and procedures.

Leadership and Talent Management :

Manages / Supervises a team of professionals. Manages the work of assigned employees and / or supervisors who generally exercise some latitude and independence in their assignments.

Ensures proper training of team members and participates in hiring, firing, and promotion decisions. Conducts performance reviews and may recommend salary reviews.

May complete technical assignments in addition to supervising others.

Qualifications :

Minimum Qualifications :

Bachelor's degree or higher in relevant field

3 years of experience in product content creation following agile and user-centered design processes

2 years of leadership experience

Strong portfolio of work submitted with application

Preferred Qualifications :

Master's degree or higher in relevant field

Demonstrable experience in higher education, online learning, and / or social emotional learning spaces

Basic awareness of accessibility standards and inclusive content practices

Proven successful collaboration and work experience with learning and performance teams / education

Basic knowledge of adult learning theories, design thinking, and social emotional learning

Working Conditions

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

Disclaimers :

WGU Academy, Inc is an affiliated non-profit entity of 501c(3) Corporation of Western Governors University

This Job Description has been designed to indicate the general nature, essential duties, and responsibilities of work performed by employees within this classification.

It does not contain a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications that are required of the employee to do this job.

Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. This Job Description does not constitute a contract of employment and the University may exercise its employment-at-will rights at any time.

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 :

Pay Range : $81,900.00 - $135,200.00

WGU will accept applications for this position until 12 : 00 AM ET, 09 / 18 / 2024

How to apply : apply online

Full-time Regular Positions (FT classification, standard working hours 40)

• This is a full-time, regular position 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.

The University is an equal opportunity employer.All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.