[Hiring] Manager, Learner Services & Experiences @Merit America
Role Description At Meritus College, learner support is not a collection of disconnected services - it is a coordinated system designed to remove barriers, accelerate progress, and ensure every learner has access to the resources they need to succeed. The Manager, Learner Services & Experiences, is responsible for ensuring that this system functions seamlessly. This role oversees the full ecosystem of learner support services, including:
- Academic advising
- Tutoring
- Wellness
- Accessibility
- Library services
These services are delivered through a combination of AI-powered tools and external partners. This role ensures that services are available, accessible, high-quality, and effectively integrated into the learner experience. This is a high-ownership, systems-oriented role designed for scale. It is a player-coach role that combines hands-on ownership of learner services with program management for the work.
Responsibilities
- Program and Project Management (15%):
- Own the learner services portion of the instruction and learner support workplan.
- Coordinate the learner services operating rhythm.
- Represent learner services in Functional Lead syncs within Meritus College.
- Define and report learner services metrics to College leadership.
- Make staffing, capacity, and budget recommendations as enrollment grows.
- Learner Services Operations (20%):
- Ensure all learner support services are operational and aligned with learner needs.
- Create and maintain clear pathways for learners to access services.
- Monitor service usage and identify trends in learner needs.
- Continuously improve processes to create a seamless learner experience.
- Own the accommodations process end to end.
- Create and maintain service standards and learner-facing guides.
- Service Coordination & Escalation (15%):
- Serve as the primary escalation point for complex learner issues.
- Partner with Learner Success Partners to ensure learners are connected to resources.
- Ensure timely resolution of learner issues.
- Establish protocols for learner crises and urgent situations.
- Manage the learner complaint and grievance process.
- LSP Team Leadership & Support (15%):
- Serve as the day-to-day lead for the Learner Success Partners.
- Work with LSPs to build shared coaching practices.
- Coordinate LSP caseloads with the team.
- Help onboard and train new LSPs.
- Use shared team measures to spot where learners need more support.
- Vendor & Tool Management (10%):
- Act as the primary liaison for external service providers.
- Monitor service performance and learner experience across vendors.
- Provide feedback and insights to improve service quality.
- Manage vendor relationships end to end.
- Evaluate AI-enabled support tools before and after adoption.
- Process Design & Continuous Improvement (15%):
- Build and refine workflows for service access and escalation.
- Identify gaps in the learner services ecosystem.
- Use learner feedback and data to inform improvements.
- Maintain learner services documentation to a standard that holds up under accreditation review.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration (10%):
- Partner with the instruction team for coordinated support.
- Provide guidance on how and when to utilize learner services.
- Share insights and trends to inform learner experience improvements.
- Partner with recruitment and enrollment on the handoff from admission to onboarding.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree in higher education, counseling, or a related field preferred.
- 5+ years in student services, academic advising, coaching, or learner support.
- Experience in designing or running support services for online, adult, or non-traditional learners.
Requirements
- Ability to manage and improve complex systems involving multiple stakeholders.
- Strong organizational and project management skills.
- Experience building or refining processes to improve user experience.
- Experience leading a team, ideally coaches or advisors.
- Experience supporting learners in education or workforce environments.
- Strong critical thinking skills to diagnose and resolve complex challenges.
- Strong cross-functional collaboration and communication skills.
- Comfort using data and feedback to identify trends and inform decisions.
Benefits
- Medical, Dental and Vision insurance (100% Paid Employee Only Coverage)
- Flexible Spending Account and Health Savings Account
- Dependent care Flexible Spending Account
- Health Reimbursement Account fully funded by Merit
- Education & personal development reimbursement
- Short and long-term disability
- Flexible PTO (after a 90-day introductory period)
- Paid Parental Leave and Adoption benefits (after 1 year of employment)
- 11 federally recognized holidays
- 2 week holiday office closure in December/January
- 401(k) retirement plan with automatic Merit contribution
- Wellness Benefits/Wellness Resources
- Phone/technology stipend
- Home office setup stipend