Senior Learning Architect

Location: Hybrid, Cape Town based
Employment Type: Full-time 

Reporting line: Reports directly to the Head of Education
Start date: As soon as possible.  

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Overview

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We’re looking for a Senior Learning Architect to join our purpose-driven, values-led team and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of online learning at Next Gen Learning (NGL). This is a senior, hands-on role designed for an experienced and highly skilled learning designer who thrives on complexity, innovation, and building new things from the ground up.

In this role, you’ll work closely with faculty from top universities and a cross-functional internal team to design, prototype, and configure next-generation online learning experiences. You’ll be applying the best of learning science to real-world challenges—not just designing courses, but helping to invent the systems that deliver them.

You’ll play a leading role in configuring and testing bespoke AI tutors, integrating them seamlessly into personalised, conversational learning experiences, and ensuring every course reflects rigorous pedagogy, deep learner engagement, and cutting-edge technology that supports students and faculty.

If you’re ready to step into a high-autonomy role where pedagogical excellence meets AI innovation, and where your work will help redefine what’s possible in digital education, this is the opportunity for you.

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What You’ll Do

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Learning Design, Course Development, AI Tutorial Configuration

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• Lead the end-to-end instructional design process for our learning impact focused online courses using the Successive Approximation Model, which includes backward design
  
  
• Run design workshops with faculty to define learning goals and course structures
  
  
• Translate expert knowledge into engaging, evidence-based learning experiences, applying principles like flipped classroom, mastery learning, conversational learning. 

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• Develop, test, and refine systems prompts and RAGs for our bespoke AI system to ensure both subject matter accuracy and pedagogical soundness in our 1:1 AI powered tutorials.

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• Iteratively prototype and test course experiences with faculty and the internal team, gathering feedback and refining designs
  
  
• Configure learning experiences with our AI tutor to give students and faculty effective experiences that are supported by technology
  
  

Collaboration and Relationship Management

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• Act as a trusted partner to subject matter experts and faculty, helping them bring their vision to life in innovative ways
  
  
• Collaborate cross-functionally with internal teams to ensure cohesive learner experiences and a tone, visuals, and structure that reflect pedagogical goals and brand identity
  
  

Innovation and Continuous Improvement

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• Help shape and refine our proprietary course development methodology, including new ways of using GenAI in education
  
  
• Contribute to building internal design systems, templates, and quality frameworks for learning design
  
  
• Actively participate in product feedback loops, identifying learning feature needs, pain points, and ideas for iteration
  
  

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Who You Are

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• Experienced Learning Designer, Instructional Designer, Learning Architect, or Learning Solutions Architect: You have 5+ years of hands-on experience in edtech, online learning, or a similar fast-paced, tech-forward environment
  
  
• Relationship Builder: You’re confident working closely with faculty, execs, and cross-functional teams. You know how to listen deeply and translate diverse needs into actionable designs
  
  
• Autonomous and Proactive: You can run with a brief, lead your own work, and find clarity in ambiguity. You’re as comfortable designing alone as you are collaborating in a group
  
  
• Tech-Savvy and AI-Curious: You’re familiar with digital learning platforms and understand how AI is being used in education. You’re excited to explore the frontier with us and learn new tools quickly
  
  
• Creative Problem-Solver: You enjoy iterating, testing, and improving learning experiences—and balancing rigour with experimentation
  
  
• Start-up Ready: You’re adaptable, hands-on, and motivated by the challenge of building something meaningful from the ground up. You feel aligned to NGL company values

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Bonus if you have:

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• Experience in developing AI-enhanced or adaptive learning experiences
  
  
• Background in designing professional development or executive education courses
  
  
• A portfolio of learning design work you’re proud of (please share!)
  
  

What You’ll Get

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• The chance to shape the future of learning, using the latest GenAI and voice tools alongside robust pedagogy
  
  
• A pivotal role in a growing edtech start-up, working directly with industry leaders and senior experts
  
  
• Daily opportunities to innovate, learn, and lead—as part of a passionate and mission-driven team
  
  
• A flexible, collaborative, and high-autonomy environment where your ideas and input matter
  
  
• The satisfaction of knowing your work directly empowers professionals to go further, faster

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About Next Gen Learning (NGL)

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At Next Gen Learning (NGL), we’re reinventing education for a fast-paced world. Founded in 2024 by Sam Paddock, we're an innovative EdTech start-up headquartered in Cape Town. Our mission is simple yet powerful: to help working professionals achieve "Deeper Learning, Faster."

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We blend cutting-edge Gen AI and voice technology with rigorous learning science, creating fully personalised, high-impact online learning experiences. Every course we create is designed to take working professionals further faster in their lifelong learning journey.

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Our company culture is built around these core values:

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🚤 Speed

We work fast. First in line, hand on the buzzer. We like to be ready for opportunity.

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🫱🏽‍🫲🏼 Relationships above all else

People take first place in our hearts. It’s that simple, that hard and that important.

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🛠️ Doing the work

We raise our hands, then use them to do the work. The work matters more than our roles.

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⭐ Making you believe in you

Our colleagues, our partners, and our students. Self belief makes you go further, faster.

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🤖 Step 1 is technology

Let tech do the lifting, people do the leading.

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🎤 Engagement as life blood

In the good and the bad. We must be connected to our world to survive and thrive. Unmute, we want to hear what you have to say.

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🌱 Always progressing

Take a step, then another and now and again, leap. We know what winning looks like. We step in its direction.

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✨ Magic and fun

We've got 30,000 days. Let's make life more than what it is.

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🫖  Cups of tea

Grab a warm drink and have a think. A little tea time alone or with the team solves most things.

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Sounds like you?

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We’d love to hear from you. Send us your CV and a short note on why this role excites you. Email ester@nxgl.ai 

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