Associate Dean, Operations ALUSB

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.

ABOUT THE TEAM

The Operations Team at ALU School of Business (ALUSB) is the backbone of our educational excellence, ensuring that our programs and events run seamlessly. We are a dynamic and collaborative group, committed to creating an engaging and supportive learning environment for our students. Our culture is defined by innovation, efficiency, and a relentless pursuit of operational excellence. Together, we’ve successfully launched and managed multiple postgraduate programs, donor-funded fellowships, and bespoke corporate initiatives, consistently delivering high-quality experiences that align with ALU’s mission and values.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Associate Dean of Operations at ALUSB is a pivotal leadership position responsible for overseeing the operational management of our eMBA program, postgraduate offerings, and special initiatives such as donor-funded fellowships and customized executive programs. This role ensures that all programs are delivered efficiently, align with guidelines from Product Design and Quality Assurance teams, and provide an exceptional experience for our learners. Additionally, the Associate Dean will manage campus operations support and lead the planning and execution of key events, including graduations, conferences, and corporate partner engagements. This role is instrumental in driving operational excellence and fostering a culture that prioritizes student success and stakeholder satisfaction.

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Operations Management:

• Oversee and manage the operations of ALUSB’s eMBA and other postgraduate programs, ensuring alignment with guidelines provided by Product Design and Quality Assurance teams.
• Lead the operations of special programs, including donor-funded fellowships and corporate partner initiatives, encompassing faculty recruitment, program intensives, online delivery, budget management, and reporting.
• Ensure all programs achieve their operational performance goals, including financial sustainability, timelines, quality standards, and learner satisfaction.
• Develop and maintain efficient scheduling, staffing, and delivery plans to ensure smooth execution.
• Draft, monitor and execute on the agreed budget to deliver on strategic outcomes required for the various ALUSB programs. 

 

Student/Learner Experience:

• Ensure exceptional learner experiences by proactively managing end-to-end program logistics and addressing student needs or challenges.
• Collaborate closely with academic teams to resolve program-related issues, ensuring alignment with educational goals.
• Develop and refine processes for student communication, support services, and feedback loops to enhance learner engagement.
• Attract, develop and retain impactful faculty that help build the profile of the school, in collaboration with the People team

Quality Operations & Strategy:

• Ensure the delivery of high-quality programs, products, and services across ALUSB, maintaining alignment with ALU’s organizational strategy and goals.
• Balance quality enablement with budgetary constraints, optimizing resources while upholding excellence in execution and learner satisfaction.
• Provide guidance and benchmark standards to enhance campus operations efficiency in collaboration with the head of Campus Operations and the Deans of the various business units.
• Collaborate with campus teams to ensure alignment with program and institutional priorities.
• Take responsibility for the performance management, mentoring and development of the school faculty and staff.

On-Campus Events Management:

• Oversee the planning, execution, and evaluation of events such as graduations, conferences, symposiums, team retreats, and donor or corporate partner engagements.
• Ensure events are executed efficiently, on budget, and deliver exceptional logistical quality for stakeholders.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align event logistics with program and organizational objectives.
• Develop systems for vendor management, scheduling, and attendee coordination to ensure seamless execution.

Operational Strategy and Process Optimization:

• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance operational effectiveness and scalability across programs and events to ultimately boost a quality learning experience.
• Develop systems and KPIs to monitor and optimize program delivery, campus support, and events logistics.
• Collaborate with Product, Grow and Quality Assurance teams to ensure operational feasibility and excellence for new program designs.

Team Leadership and Collaboration:

• Lead and develop a high-performing operations team, including managing and supporting the performance of direct reports, and influencing and collaborating with key support staff.
• Foster strong collaboration with academic, design, quality assurance, and campus operations teams to ensure operational alignment.
• Manage vendor relationships and partnerships critical to program and event delivery.

 

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree required; a Master’s degree or equivalent experience preferred.
• 7+ years of professional experience in operations, program management, event management, or a related role. Experience in higher education, edtech, or a learner-focused environment is an advantage.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex, multi-stakeholder programs while delivering high-quality outcomes.
• Proven experience managing budgets, optimizing processes, and delivering operational performance at scale.
• Strong project management skills with expertise in tools and systems for scheduling, tracking, and delivery (e.g., Asana, Trello, etc.).
• Excellent problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills.
• Experience managing vendors, cross-functional teams, and external partnerships.

 

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

• Operational Excellence: A proven track record of delivering efficient and effective program operations.
• Customer-Centric Mindset: Deep commitment to creating exceptional learner and stakeholder experiences.
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to align operations with broader institutional goals and program priorities.
• Budget Management: Proficiency in managing and optimizing program budgets while ensuring high-quality outcomes.
• Leadership: Ability to inspire and develop teams, fostering accountability and collaboration.
• Adaptability: Comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with evolving priorities.

This role is integral to the success of ALUSB’s programs and initiatives, ensuring that our operations not only meet but exceed the expectations of our students and stakeholders. If you are a strategic and process-oriented leader passionate about delivering exceptional educational experiences, we invite you to join our team.

Location: Rwanda / Mauritius