Co-Curricular Programmes Manager

About ALU

The African Leadership University is built around a higher purpose in education. Rather than asking students to choose majors, it encourages them to define missions and build practical capabilities that help solve urgent challenges. From the first day, learners are given ownership of their journey through a peer-led and student-led model, reflecting ALU’s belief that young people can begin shaping the future immediately. Alongside a strong faculty and staff community, students are creating meaningful impact across Africa and beyond.

How the team works

ALU operates with the pace and mindset of a fast-growing startup, which means it works very differently from conventional academic institutions. The organisation starts from first principles, gives individuals room to design and test new ideas, and relies on close collaboration to create transformative learning experiences. The team is deeply committed to students and motivated by the challenge of building something new.

The African Leadership University also places student safety and well-being at the centre of its work. It maintains a safeguarding policy with a strict zero-tolerance stance toward any breach of safeguarding standards.

Role overview

The Co-Curricular Programmes Manager will provide both strategic direction and day-to-day leadership for ALU Rwanda’s co-curricular and non-academic portfolio. The aim is to keep these programmes high quality, connected to academic learning, financially viable, and strongly aligned with ALU’s mission.

This role oversees the running, delivery, and ongoing improvement of key functions such as the Writing Centre, Student Success, Career Services, Further Studies Support, and other student development initiatives. It also includes leadership of non-academic programmes like Leadership Core (LC) Bootcamp and bridging programmes such as English Immersion.

Working with the Director of Academics, programme managers, careers teams, and outside partners, the manager will help ensure students are prepared for entry into ALU, supported during their studies, and guided successfully into graduate pathways.

Key responsibilities

Lead and coordinate the full co-curricular portfolio, ensuring that all offerings are student-focused, aligned, and effective across the student lifecycle.

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for co-curricular services including the Writing Centre, Student Success, Career Services, Competitions, Ethics Course, Further Studies, and postgraduate support.
• Make sure these programmes work together smoothly and complement the wider academic experience.
• Set clear objectives, delivery expectations, and success measures for each area.
• Improve the overall consistency, quality, and influence of co-curricular support for students.

Oversee non-academic and bridging programmes that help students transition into ALU successfully.

• Lead the planning, delivery, and improvement of programmes such as LC Bootcamp and preparatory or bridging initiatives like English Immersion.
• Ensure these programmes prepare students effectively for both academic performance and holistic success at ALU Rwanda.
• Work with admissions and academic colleagues to align entry routes with programme standards and readiness expectations.
• Identify opportunities to improve or extend non-academic offerings in response to institutional and market needs.

Build career, internship, and further study pathways for students.

• Develop and manage an annual pipeline of internships and support access to postgraduate and further study opportunities.
• Partner with Career Services and external stakeholders to sustain relationships with employers, universities, and scholarship organisations.
• Provide students with guidance, preparation, and placement support for internships and post-graduation opportunities.
• Monitor outcomes and use data to strengthen placement results and student success.

Support financial sustainability and programme growth.

• Ensure co-curricular and non-academic programmes contribute to ALU Rwanda’s financial sustainability.
• Help shape pricing, enrolment, and delivery approaches that balance access, quality, and revenue.
• Work with finance and leadership on budgets, forecasts, and cost control.
• Look for opportunities to innovate, build partnerships, and create scalable programme models.

Strengthen operational systems and programme governance.

• Create reliable operating systems, planning routines, and reporting structures across all relevant programmes.
• Clarify roles, timelines, and accountability across teams.
• Use data and participant feedback to continuously improve delivery and student experience.
• Maintain alignment with institutional policies, quality expectations, and accreditation needs where applicable.

Lead people and enable collaboration across the institution.

• Manage, support, and develop teams responsible for co-curricular and non-academic delivery.
• Work closely with academic programme managers, student support teams, admissions, and central operations.
• Promote a culture of ownership, service excellence, and continuous improvement.
• Act as a reliable partner to the Director of Academics, allowing the director to stay focused on academic quality, faculty leadership, and strategy.

Required qualifications and experience

• A master’s degree in Education, Higher Education Administration, Leadership, or a closely related discipline, or equivalent practical experience.
• At least 5 years of significant experience in higher education programme management, student success, careers, or co-curricular leadership.
• Proven experience leading student-facing programmes at scale.
• Strong knowledge of career development, internships, and postgraduate progression pathways.
• Experience handling budgets and contributing to financially sustainable programme models.
• Demonstrated ability to lead people and collaborate across functions.

Key competencies

• Student-centred leadership with a strong focus on outcomes
• Strong systems thinking and operational discipline
• Ability to execute strategy and prioritise effectively
• Stakeholder engagement and partnership management
• Financial awareness and sustainability mindset
• Clear communication and effective people leadership

What success in this role looks like

• Co-curricular and non-academic programmes are cohesive, high quality, and well connected to academic delivery.
• Students are prepared for ALU, supported throughout their journey, and moved successfully into graduate pathways.
• Non-academic offerings support institutional sustainability and expansion.
• Programme managers and academic leaders receive strong operational support.

Additional information

The role is based in Kigali, Kigali City, Rwanda and is a full-time onsite position. No stipend or salary figure was provided in the source.

Safeguarding

ALU maintains a comprehensive safeguarding policy and follows a zero-tolerance approach to any safeguarding violation.