Lead Learning Technologies

The Lead, Learning Technologies is, at its core, an LMS Specialist responsible for the effective administration, adoption, integration, and continuous improvement of the University’s Learning Management System (LMS), primarily the OpenLearning platform.

The position works across the University to ensure that learning technologies are reliable, accessible, scalable, secure, and appropriately integrated with institutional systems. The role also researches, evaluates, and pilots suitable technologies, including AI-enabled tools, to enhance face-to-face, blended, online, and Open and Distance Learning (ODL) delivery.

Working closely with the Centre for Learning and Teaching (CLT), academic staff, faculties, ICT, and external vendors, the position translates teaching and learning requirements into practical technology solutions that enhance academic practice and the student learning experience.

Key Results Areas

• Ensure reliable, effective, and secure administration of the institutional LMS.
• Support the successful implementation, integration, and continuous improvement of the LMS and other learning technologies.
• Ensure appropriate LMS access, course setup, user management, and support structures throughout the course lifecycle.
• Drive increased adoption and effective use of the LMS across faculties.
• Ensure timely resolution, escalation, and follow-up of learning technology issues.
• Conduct evidence-based evaluation and provide recommendations on emerging learning technologies.
• Coordinate and support the successful delivery of technology pilots, system implementations, and improvement projects.
• Maintain accurate documentation, reporting, governance, and records for learning technology initiatives.
• Promote a positive and effective user experience for academics, students, and relevant support teams.

LMS Administration and Operational Support

• Administer and maintain the University’s LMS (OpenLearning) and other approved learning technologies.
• Manage user accounts, roles, permissions, course sites, templates, configurations, and other LMS settings throughout their lifecycle.
• Collaborate with ICT and relevant system owners to integrate the LMS with the Student Information System (SIS) and other institutional platforms.
• Support automated user provisioning, course creation, enrolment, and status updates, ensuring data accuracy, privacy, and security.
• Monitor platform performance and troubleshoot or escalate access, configuration, synchronisation, integration, and system-related issues.
• Research and evaluate emerging learning technologies, digital tools, and AI-enabled solutions to identify opportunities to enhance teaching and learning.
• Coordinate learning technology projects, pilots, system testing, and User Acceptance Testing (UAT) from planning through implementation.
• Provide technical support and training, and develop user guides, FAQs, demonstrations, and other support resources for academics and relevant teams.
• Support the evaluation and management of vendors, licences, subscriptions, equipment, and technology-related procurement.
• Monitor LMS adoption, course activity, system incidents, and user feedback, and prepare reports and recommendations to support continuous improvement.
• Perform other relevant duties as assigned by the Director, Centre for Learning & Teaching.

Data and Learning Analytics

• Oversee the use of LMS data and learning analytics to monitor student engagement and inform course and learning experience improvements.
• Design, distribute, and manage feedback instruments, such as Microsoft Forms or Google Forms, to evaluate the LMS experience of students and academic staff.
• Prepare summary reports on LMS adoption, course integration milestones, user engagement, and learner experience for the Director, CLT, and relevant institutional leadership.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date databases and records of LMS users, courses, and relevant system activities.
• Identify trends and insights from LMS data and user feedback and provide actionable recommendations to improve adoption, usability, and learning outcomes.

Project and Stakeholder Coordination

• Support the Director and Fellows in coordinating cross-functional CLT learning technology projects and institutional partnerships.
• Coordinate with CLT, faculties, ICT, academic staff, professional services, and external vendors to facilitate effective project implementation.
• Track project action items, milestones, deadlines, risks, and deliverables, and promptly escalate issues requiring management attention.
• Assist in preparing presentations, reports, business cases, proposals, and other materials for university leadership and relevant committees.
• Support stakeholder engagement and communication throughout learning technology implementation and change initiatives.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Educational Technology, Information Technology, Computer Science, Information Systems, Software Engineering, Data Science, or a related discipline.
• A relevant Master’s degree will be an added advantage.
• Knowledge of instructional design, digital pedagogy, online learning, learning experience design, or higher education teaching practices will be an added advantage.

Experience

• Minimum of five years of relevant experience in LMS administration, educational technology, digital learning, or technology project implementation.
• Demonstrated experience in administering, configuring, and supporting an LMS.
• Experience managing user access, roles and permissions, course configuration, system workflows, and platform support.
• Experience with system integration, data synchronisation, APIs, or Student Information Systems will be an added advantage.
• Experience in requirements gathering, system testing, implementation, troubleshooting, and issue resolution.
• Experience working within a higher education environment or supporting academic staff and students is preferred.
• Experience in project coordination, vendor management, technology consultancy, or implementation projects will be an added advantage.

Skills and Attributes

• Strong working knowledge of Learning Management Systems and related learning applications.
• Strong understanding of LMS administration, including user roles, permissions, enrolment, templates, configurations, and course lifecycle management.
• Understanding of system integration, APIs, data workflows, and interoperability concepts.
• Ability to translate teaching, learning, and operational requirements into practical and functional technology solutions.
• Knowledge of relevant digital learning standards and practices, including accessibility, usability, and inclusive design.
• Understanding of face-to-face, blended, online, and Open and Distance Learning (ODL) delivery.
• Ability to evaluate the pedagogical value, technical feasibility, and institutional suitability of learning technologies.
• Ability to interpret LMS data and learning analytics and translate findings into actionable reports and recommendations.
• Knowledge of AI-enabled learning technologies and emerging developments in educational technology.
• Strong project planning, risk management, implementation, and coordination skills.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to develop clear and user-friendly technical documentation, guides, reports, and support resources.
• Strong facilitation, training, and presentation skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate technical concepts in clear, business-friendly, and user-friendly language.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver projects and activities within agreed timelines.

Behavioural Competencies

• Accountability: Takes ownership of commitments, follows through on deliverables, and escalates risks promptly.
• Service Orientation: Responds to academic staff, students, and stakeholders with professionalism, patience, and empathy.
• Collaboration: Works effectively across CLT, faculties, ICT, professional services, and external partners.
• Integrity: Manages system access, data, technology, and institutional resources responsibly and ethically.
• Initiative: Identifies issues, opportunities, and potential improvements before they become urgent.
• Adaptability: Learns new technologies quickly and responds positively to changing requirements and priorities.
• Curiosity: Actively explores technologies, research, and evidence that can enhance teaching and learning.
• Critical Thinking: Evaluates technologies objectively based on evidence, value, suitability, and impact rather than novelty.
• Resourcefulness: Develops practical and sustainable solutions within institutional constraints.
• Attention to Detail: Maintains accurate system configurations, documentation, data, and records.
• Resilience: Remains calm, solution-focused, and professional when managing technical incidents or implementation challenges.
• Continuous Improvement: Uses evidence, data, and stakeholder feedback to strengthen systems, processes, and user experience.
• Commitment to Education: Demonstrates a genuine commitment to improving academic practice, teaching effectiveness, and student learning.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• LMS Adoption: Achieve active LMS adoption across 100% of scheduled courses by 2028, based on agreed minimum course-readiness and usage standards.
• Support Responsiveness: Acknowledge at least 90% of LMS enquiries within 24 working hours and resolve or appropriately escalate them within the relevant service-level target.
• User Engagement: Monitor and report student and academic LMS activity each semester, including login activity, participation, resource access, assessment activity, and other agreed engagement indicators.
• Learning Technology Innovation: Implement and evaluate at least two approved learning technology pilots annually, with documented evidence of their impact on teaching effectiveness, learning experience, operational efficiency, or user adoption.
• System Reliability: Monitor LMS incidents, integration issues, and recurring technical problems, with appropriate escalation and documented corrective actions to support platform reliability and availability.
• Project Delivery: Deliver assigned LMS and learning technology projects, integrations, and implementation activities according to agreed scope, milestones, timelines, and quality requirements.
• User Satisfaction: Monitor and report user satisfaction among academic staff and students and identify improvement actions based on feedback and engagement data.
• Data and Reporting: Ensure timely and accurate reporting of LMS adoption, course integration, system performance, user engagement, and learning technology initiatives to the Director, CLT, and relevant institutional stakeholders.