Senior Academic Designer – Banking and Financial Services

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in South Africa.

📋 Description

• Oversee the creation and execution of innovative learning and teaching methodologies.

• Work collaboratively with faculty, learning and instructional designers, and specialists to develop academic programs and qualifications.

• Drive enhancements in learning delivery by leveraging expertise in business, banking, and commerce.

• Create and lead experiential learning opportunities, including applied research projects, community engagement, and industry collaborations.

• Establish metrics to assess the effectiveness of learning innovations and promote continuous improvement.

• Conduct workshops aimed at enhancing faculty capabilities in innovative learning techniques.

• Cultivate relationships with schools, academic operations teams, corporate partners, and business stakeholders.

• Provide strategic direction for Milpark’s educational technology framework.

• Assist in program evaluations and offer insights on curriculum design and development.

• Promote research activities and scholarly engagement.

• Develop, review, and update learning and teaching materials and guidelines.

• Assess and provide constructive feedback on the work of learning and instructional designers.

• Stay informed about emerging technologies, pedagogical trends, and industry advancements.

• Recommend learning solutions tailored for corporate partners.

• Uphold Milpark’s learning and teaching philosophy.

• Act as the institutional expert in banking, financial services, fintech, and associated commerce qualifications.

• Spearhead the review, enhancement, and innovation of banking and financial services curricula.

• Provide expert insights into the design of banking-related qualifications and modules.

• Incorporate developments such as digital banking, artificial intelligence, data analytics, open banking, cybersecurity, payments innovation, financial inclusion, sustainability, conduct risk, and evolving customer expectations into curricula.

• Convert local and global banking trends into program outcomes, module content, authentic learning experiences, and assessment strategies.

• Lead simulations, case studies, work-integrated learning, industry projects, and contemporary banking assessments.

• Engage with banks, fintech organizations, professional bodies, employers, and regulatory stakeholders to validate curriculum relevance and foster partnerships.

• Assist academic staff and learning designers in integrating banking expertise into learning design and delivery.

• Contribute to the thought leadership in banking education through research, professional engagement, conferences, and industry collaboration.

⛳️ Requirements

• A Master’s or Doctorate in Banking, Finance, Financial Services, Economics, Business, Commerce, or a closely related field, paired with significant professional experience in banking or financial services and experience in higher education program development and/or teaching; or

• A Master’s or Doctorate in Education, alongside a relevant postgraduate commerce, banking, or finance qualification, substantial professional experience in banking or financial services, and experience in higher education program development and/or teaching.

• Proven senior-level experience in banking, financial services, or financial technology.

• Experience applying specialized knowledge to complex business, learning, or curriculum challenges.

• Familiarity with curriculum design, qualification development, program reviews, academic quality assurance, or industry-aligned learning solutions.

• Strong and up-to-date understanding of the South African banking and financial services landscape.

• Awareness of global trends impacting the banking and financial services sector.

• In-depth knowledge of banking and financial services covering strategy, operations, technology, risk, regulation, customers, and personnel.

• Ability to link banking subject matter expertise with curriculum design, assessment practices, and learner-centered approaches.

• Demonstrated leadership, mentoring, and stakeholder management skills.

• Excellent communication and facilitation abilities.

• Confidence in engaging with senior academic leaders, banking professionals, corporate partners, and subject matter experts.

• Insight into educational technologies and a readiness to responsibly explore emerging technologies.

• Capability to analyze evidence, industry signals, and program data.

• Active participation in research or professional thought leadership.

• Ability to establish and maintain collaborative initiatives with industry partners.

• Alignment with Milpark’s values and a strong ethical foundation in business.

• Enthusiasm for education and industry-relevant learning.

• Persuasive, assertive, and capable of constructive influence.

• Professional, reliable, and focused on quality.

• Service-oriented and student-centric.

• Proficient in planning, prioritizing, and working effectively under pressure.

• Collaborative team player with excellent listening and communication skills.

• High attention to detail and quality.

• Intellectually curious, forward-thinking, and comfortable with ambiguity.

• Preferred: experience in retail banking, business banking, corporate banking, risk, credit, compliance, anti-money laundering, foreign exchange, payments, digital banking, fintech, or financial inclusion.

• Preferred: experience engaging with banking regulators, professional bodies, industry associations, or sector education and training organizations.

• Preferred: expertise in artificial intelligence in financial services, data-driven decision-making, digital banking ecosystems, cybersecurity, sustainable finance, or customer-centered banking innovation.

• Preferred: established professional network within banking and financial services.

• Preferred: experience designing learning for formal qualifications and in corporate or executive education settings.

🏝️ Benefits

• Fixed term or permanent employment option.

• Preference given to applicants from designated groups in accordance with EE requirements.