Learning Experience Product Designer

ABOUT ALU

At the African Leadership University (ALU), we're more than just an institution—we're a catalyst for transformation. Our mission is to develop a new generation of ethical and entrepreneurial leaders who will shape Africa's future. Through our innovative curriculum, focus on experiential learning, and vibrant pan-African community, we empower students to become changemakers, problem-solvers, and innovators. At ALU, we're not just teaching; we're nurturing the leaders who will drive Africa's progress and prosperity in the 21st century

We are dedicated to fostering an open yet secure environment, balancing the safety of students, staff, and visitors with respect for individual rights, and safeguarding responsibilities.

HOW WE WORK

The ALU Team works in starkly different ways to traditional academic bureaucracies. We approach education from first principles, empower individuals to design, test, and implement creative new ideas, and work closely together to craft transformative learning experiences. We are deeply passionate about our students and excited by the challenge of building something entirely new.

The African Leadership University is committed to ensuring the safety and Well-being of all students under our care. As part of this commitment , we have a comprehensive safeguarding policy in place , which outlines our Zero-tolerance approach to any violation of safeguarding.

ABOUT THE ROLE

As a Learning Experience Product Designer at ALU, you will serve as the design lead for an entire undergraduate degree program that you have been assigned to, overseeing the end-to-end learning experience across all modules. Reporting to the Senior Manager of Learning Experience Design for Undergraduate Programs, you will be responsible for ensuring that each module is designed to deliver mission-aligned, experiential, and student-centered learning experiences that empower students to become entrepreneurial and ethical leaders solving Africa’s greatest challenges.

This role requires a visionary designer who can translate the ALU philosophy into a cohesive and innovative learning journey across multiple courses, acting as both a strategic architect and hands-on designer. You will lead curriculum development, instructional design, and learning technology integration, while guiding a team of Module Leads and collaborating with faculty, SMEs, and cross-functional stakeholders.

Reporting Line: Senior Manager, Learning Experience Design – Undergraduate 

Primary Collaborators: 

• Academic Directors on both campuses
• Degree program managers
• Quality Assurance
• Product Leads
• Module Leads
• SMEs

Key Responsibilities:

1. Program-Level Learning Experience Design

• Serve as the product designer for the full undergraduate degree journey, ensuring a unified student experience across all modules.
• Design mission-aligned learning experiences that integrate experiential learning, self-leadership, and entrepreneurial mindsets at every touchpoint.
• Develop program-wide design principles and frameworks that create a consistent golden thread across modules while allowing for contextual customization.
• Lead the creation of product blueprints that scaffold student learning journeys from foundational to advanced skills development.

2. Curriculum Development & Instructional Design

• Collaborate with Program Manager(s), Module Leads, SMEs, and faculty to design curriculum frameworks that are mission-aligned, skills-based, and rooted in experiential learning.
• Design learner-centered activities, assessments, and multimedia content that promote active learning, critical thinking, and knowledge application.
• Apply instructional design methodologies to develop interactive, engaging, and accessible learning materials.
• Ensure that all curriculum content reinforces ALU’s values, ethics, and entrepreneurial mindsets.
• Lead the design of module playbooks and guide the module leads through the LEDI process. Sign off on each playbook and be responsible for the upkeep of the latest playbooks on our internal drive.

3. Learning Technology Integration

• Design and prototype interactive learning experiences using learning technologies such as the LMS, multimedia tools, and AI-based platforms.
• Collaborate with the Learning Technology team to optimize the digital learning environment and ensure seamless technology integration.
• Leverage AI tools and learning analytics to personalize the learning experience, adapt to student strengths and weaknesses, and improve engagement.

4. Quality Assurance & Evaluation

• Implement quality assurance processes to maintain consistency, coherence, and excellence across all modules.
• Execute evaluation strategies to assess the effectiveness of learning experiences, gathering both quantitative and qualitative feedback through measurements such as NPS/ skills development or direct observation.
• Collaborate with the Senior Manager of Learning Experience Design to identify design gaps and make continuous improvements to the program.

5. Leadership & Team Development

• Facilitate design reviews, feedback sessions, and knowledge-sharing practices to foster a collaborative and innovative team culture.
• Partner with the Senior Manager to build and refine internal processes for curriculum development, quality assurance, and iterative design.

6. Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as the primary design liaison between the Learning Experience Design team, Program Leads, SMEs, and facilitators.
• Conduct needs assessments, gather user requirements, and facilitate design co-creation sessions with internal and external stakeholders.
• Communicate project progress, design rationale, and learning impact effectively to all stakeholders.

7. Research & Innovation

• Stay abreast of emerging trends in instructional design, learning technologies, and experiential learning practices.
• Research and recommend innovative design approaches, tools, and methodologies to enhance the ALU student learning experience.
• Drive continuous improvement and experimentation to keep ALU’s learning experiences at the cutting edge of higher education.

Ensure the safety and well-being of all young persons and vulnerable adults with whom we deal,  by adhering to ALU’s comprehensive safeguarding policy, maintaining a zero-tolerance approach to any violations of safeguarding standards.

Profile of Success

• Deep understanding of student-centered, experiential learning design and entrepreneurial mindsets.
• Proven experience leading the design of end-to-end learning journeys across multiple courses or programs.
• Expertise in instructional design principles, curriculum development, and learning technology integration.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to coordinate multiple design streams and meet deadlines.
• Experience mentoring and guiding other designers or educators.
• Excellent collaboration and stakeholder management skills.
• Passion for reimagining higher education in Africa and aligning learning design with ALU’s mission.

Qualifications 

• A Master’s degree from an accredited institution in fields such as education, curriculum, instruction, instructional design, or a related discipline, or equivalent experience in the field with at least 3 years of relevant professional experience; Or a Bachelor’s in a relevant field and at least 5 years of relevant professional experience.
• Strong understanding of higher education trends, accreditation standards, and best practices in undergraduate education, particularly in Africa.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and collaboration skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with an entrepreneurial mindset.
• Strong commitment to increasing educational access on the Continent.
• Proficiency in utilizing educational technologies and data-driven decision-making.
• Excellent coaching and project management skills.

Location: Based in East Africa +/- 1 hour of CAT. Preference for candidates based in Rwanda.

Contract Type: Full-time