There are two criteria I use to determine if a role is the right fit for this Featured Gig series. The first is whether the job is the one I might like if I were on the job market. The second is if the role sits at the intersection of learning, technology and organizational change.
Today’s featured gig is for the senior director of online education and AI innovation at Manchester University. The university’s director of human resources, Heather N. Hess, has answers to my questions about the role.
Question: What is the purpose of the university with this role? How does compliance help advance the university’s strategic priorities?
A: The mandate behind the executive director of online education and AI innovation is to position Manchester University as a mission-driven, financially sustainable institution that delivers high-quality, student-centred education in a rapidly changing digital environment.
This role exists:
- Extend access to Manchester education beyond traditional campus boundaries
- Enhance the quality of education in online formats
- Ensure financial sustainability with projected program growth
- Lead the responsible, values-based adoption of AI in teaching, learning and practice
Underpinned by Manchester’s commitment to honoring the enduring value of everyone and graduating people of talent and conviction, this role ensures that innovation doesn’t reduce work—it increases it.
This role develops the following key strategies:
- Driving healthy enrollment and building strategic investments and relationships: Identifying workforce-oriented programs, certifications and partnerships that meet regional and national need.
- Championing student success: Building integrated systems from inquiry to completion, including advising, analytics and AI-supported access.
- Future-oriented education systems: Supporting intelligence through high-quality instructional design, behavioral AI integration and LMS optimization.
In short: This role uses innovation in a way that protects the mission while protecting the future of the university.
Question: Where does the role sit within the structure of the university? How will the person in this role interact with other units and leaders across campus? Is a personal, hybrid or remote role appropriate?
A: This role reports directly to the chief academic officer and is located within Academic Affairs. While we’re on Education Matters, this is a multifaceted administrative role.
The executive director will work closely with leaders across campus, including:
- Academic departments and faculty leaders
- Registration management
- Registrant
- Financial aid
- Information Technology
- Marketing
- Student affairs and advising
- CFO and cabinet
This is a bridge-building situation. A leader must break down silos, direct operations and translate between academic, technical, financial and enrollment priorities.
They don’t just manage a department—they coordinate the digital ecosystem of the entire campus.
We strongly prefer someone based at the North Manchester, Ind., campus. We will consider the combined arrangement of the outstanding candidate. In this case, regular campus presence and full participation in university life are expected.
Question: What would success look like in one year? Three years? Over here?
A: First year: Foundation and Alignment
Achievements in the year will include:
- A comprehensive test of current Internet performance
- Clear a digital learning strategy that aligns with the institution’s priorities
- Strengthened collaboration between academic affairs, enrollment, IT and student services
- A framework for the development of faculty for online teaching and the use of AI
- The first guidelines for AI management are in effect
- Performance improvements that reduce friction for online learners
- Defined KPIs (enrollment growth, retention, course quality, margin performance)
The first year is about stability, honesty and building trust.
Three years: Growth and Integration
In the third year, success will look like this:
- Expanded online program portfolio to meet employee demand
- Measurable enrollment growth for online offerings
- Improved retention and completion rates for online students
- AI-enhanced mentoring or learning tools have a documented impact
- Strong intellectual acceptance of high-quality online course design
- Clear financial contribution to online programs
- Recognized regional reputation for thoughtful AI integration
Less than three years: Institutional Differences
Long-term success can mean:
- Manchester is known as a machine-focused innovator in online and AI-enhanced education
- Online and hybrid models are fully embedded in all relevant programs
- Data informed decision making is a common practice
- A sustainable financial contribution supports the priorities of many institutions
- Culture includes thoughtful exploration without compromising values
For more than three years, this role has helped define Manchester’s competitive identity.
Question: What future roles will the person taking this position be prepared for?
A: This is a fast-paced role that requires business leadership and an entrepreneurial mindset.
A successful candidate here will be prepared for:
- Higher education officer/educational officer
- Online learning giant
- Vice president of strategy or innovation
- Chief digital officer
- The president of a small college (especially flexible, mission-driven institutions)
- Senior roles in ed tech or higher education consulting
Why? Because this position requires:
- Budget ownership
- Collaborative senior leadership
- Planning strategies
- Change management
- Intellectual engagement
- Technological dominance
- Market analysis
