Lead Academic Program Manager (Department Chair), WGU School of Technology – Cyber Security

About the role

The Lead Academic Program Manager is accountable for IT degree programs from concept through continuous improvement. This role focuses on product management across the entire product lifecycle, including ideation, market research, curriculum development, marketing, launch, support, and student experience.

Primary Responsibilities

• Conduct market research, competitive analysis, skills and competency definitions, segmentation analysis, and positioning.
• Define the product roadmap for one or more academic programs.
• Lead cross-functional work with subject matter experts, the program development team, and the broader organization to build degree programs that deliver strong student outcomes and labor market relevance.
• Track KPIs including applicants, enrollment, progress, retention, key financial metrics, and alignment with employer needs.
• Align cross-functional stakeholders on priorities, decisions, and execution.

Qualifications

• A Master's degree in a business or technical field, or a bachelor's degree plus 7 years of directly relevant experience.
• 4+ years in product management, product marketing, program or operations management, or a customer-facing role with accountability for measurable business outcomes.
• A Master's degree in a business or technical field, or a bachelor's degree plus 7 years of directly relevant experience.
• Experience owning a product, program, or major initiative across its full lifecycle, including voice of the customer.
• Strong analytical skills: proficient with data analysis, able to synthesize insights, and communicate data-driven recommendations to inform decisions.
• Experience managing or developing educational programs, products, or similar complex initiatives with measurable outcomes.
• Ability to navigate process-heavy organizations without letting process stifle innovation.
• Exceptional writing and presentation skills that apply across a wide range of audiences, from students to senior leaders, with the ability to tailor communication to the audience.

Preferred

• Experience with curriculum and/or assessment development.
• Up-to-date knowledge of a broad range of technologies, especially Cyber Security, risk assessment, AI application to cybersecurity.
• Experience with agile methodologies and technology product management.
• Experience with online program marketing, SEO, or digital acquisition metrics.