Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Education Manager

🎯 Role Definition

This role requires a visionary and results-driven Education Manager to spearhead our organization's educational initiatives. In this pivotal role, you will be the architect of our learning landscape, responsible for the strategic design, dynamic implementation, and rigorous evaluation of all educational programs. You will lead a talented team of educators and content creators, fostering a culture of innovation and excellence. The ideal candidate is a passionate leader with a deep understanding of instructional design, adult learning principles, and program management, who can translate organizational goals into impactful and engaging learning experiences that drive learner success and business outcomes.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Senior Instructional Designer
Lead Teacher or Department Head
Corporate Trainer / Senior Facilitator
Education Program Coordinator

Advancement To:

Director of Education / Head of Education
Director of Learning & Development (L&D)
Chief Academic Officer
VP of Learning and Enablement

Lateral Moves:

Senior Program Manager (Education Focus)
Curriculum Director
Learning & Development (L&D) Manager

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Develop, articulate, and execute a comprehensive educational strategy that aligns with the organization's mission and long-term goals.
Lead the end-to-end lifecycle of curriculum development, from needs analysis and instructional design to content creation and final deployment.
Manage, mentor, and inspire a high-performing team of educators, instructional designers, and content developers, fostering their professional growth.
Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics to rigorously evaluate program effectiveness, learner engagement, and knowledge retention.
Oversee the administration and optimization of our Learning Management System (LMS) and other educational technologies to ensure a seamless user experience.
Direct the planning and execution of professional development programs, workshops, and continuous learning opportunities for internal staff and instructors.
Formulate and manage the departmental budget, ensuring optimal allocation of resources to achieve strategic educational objectives.
Collaborate with cross-functional leaders (e.g., Product, Marketing, Sales) to ensure educational content is accurate, relevant, and integrated with broader company initiatives.
Define clear learning objectives and outcomes for all educational programs, ensuring they meet the needs of diverse learner populations.
Lead project management for all educational initiatives, defining scope, timelines, and deliverables to ensure on-time, high-quality completion.
Stay at the forefront of emerging trends, theories, and technologies in education, andragogy, and instructional design, championing innovation within the team.
Cultivate and maintain strategic partnerships with external institutions, subject matter experts, and industry bodies to enrich program content and reach.
Oversee the entire content production pipeline, including scripts, videos, e-learning modules, assessments, and supporting documentation.
Act as a key spokesperson and subject matter expert for the organization's educational offerings, both internally and externally.
Develop and implement robust assessment strategies and tools to accurately measure learning outcomes and certify learner competence.

Secondary Functions

Oversee the recruitment, hiring, onboarding, and continuous evaluation of all instructional and educational content staff.
Ensure all educational programs and materials adhere to accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG), regulatory requirements, and accreditation standards.
Facilitate high-stakes training sessions, workshops, and webinars for key stakeholders, partners, or executive leadership.
Analyze learner feedback and performance data to drive a cycle of continuous improvement for all courses and programs.
Manage vendor relationships and contracts for educational tools, content providers, and freelance talent.
Prepare and present detailed reports on program performance, learner analytics, and strategic impact to senior leadership.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Instructional Design & Curriculum Development: Expertise in applying models like ADDIE, SAM, and backward design to create effective learning experiences.
LMS Administration: Proficiency in managing and optimizing Learning Management Systems (e.g., Canvas, Moodle, Docebo, Cornerstone).
Project Management: Demonstrated ability to manage complex educational projects using tools like Asana, Trello, or Jira.
Data Analysis & Reporting: Skill in using data to measure program effectiveness and inform strategic decisions, including familiarity with analytics tools.
Budget Management: Experience creating, tracking, and managing departmental and project-based budgets.
E-Learning Authoring Tools: Familiarity with tools such as Articulate 360 (Storyline, Rise), Adobe Captivate, or Camtasia.

Soft Skills

Strategic Thinking: Ability to see the big picture and develop long-term plans that align with business objectives.
Leadership & People Management: Proven ability to lead, coach, and motivate a diverse team towards a common goal.
Exceptional Communication: Superior written, verbal, and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate complex ideas to various audiences.
Stakeholder Management: Adept at building relationships and collaborating effectively with internal and external partners.
Problem-Solving: Resourceful and creative in overcoming challenges and finding effective solutions.
Adaptability: Thrives in a fast-paced environment and can pivot strategies in response to changing needs and priorities.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's Degree

Preferred Education:

Master’s Degree in Education, Instructional Design, Educational Technology, Organizational Leadership, or a related discipline.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Education
Curriculum & Instruction
Adult Learning Theory
Business Administration

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

7-10 years of progressive experience in an educational, corporate training, or learning and development environment.

Preferred:

At least 3-5 years of direct people management experience, leading a team of educators or instructional designers.
Proven track record of successfully launching and managing large-scale educational programs from concept to completion.