Manager - Tech Innovation Strategist

Job Overview

We are looking for a high-impact Experienced Manager to lead a high performing team of Tech innovation strategists who are focused on solving Coursera’s most complex operational challenges using AI and automation. Tech Innovation Strategists are embedded across different operational and business domains to conceptualize, build, and scale transformative internal solutions.

You will be part of a skunkworks-style unit that operates with high velocity, deep technical curiosity, and a bias toward results over process. You will be responsible for orchestrating project delivery, shaping the team’s strategy, and mentoring high-performing ICs who work across AI, automation, and systems design.

This is not a traditional manager role—it blends strategy, product thinking, technical depth, stakeholder management and execution oversight to drive tangible outcomes that redefine how Coursera operates internally.

Key Responsibilities

Team Leadership & Delivery Oversight

• Lead and mentor a team of 4–5 Tech Innovation Strategists working on high-stakes automation and AI initiatives.

• Review and guide project roadmaps, success metrics, and execution plans across multiple parallel initiatives.

• Operate like a force multiplier—ensure your team can execute at high velocity, while fostering psychological safety and creative risk-taking.

AI-Driven Innovation Strategy

• Guide the team in applying AI technologies such as LLMs, RAG systems, LangChain, vector DBs, and multi-agent systems to internal business problems.

• Identify new whitespace opportunities within internal operations where technology can unlock disproportionate value.

Stakeholder Alignment & Impact

• Act as the bridge between your team and business stakeholders across Enterprise, Services, Content Ops, Finance, Support, and more.

• Ensure project scoping, stakeholder buy-in, and successful deployment of initiatives from concept to production.

• Track business outcomes and drive adoption of internal tools and AI-led enhancements.

Systems Thinking & Platform Mindset

• Spot patterns across teams and projects to build reusable frameworks or internal playbooks for scale.

• Contribute to defining how internal innovation and AI-driven ops evolve as a core capability within Coursera.

Entrepreneurial mindset

• Ability to execute with a sense of urgency and high velocity

• Relentless pursuit to deliver results

• Navigating ambiguity and demonstrating adaptability.

• Possesses strategic foresight coupled with a strong inclination toward decisive action.

• Demonstrates exceptional communication and interpersonal proficiencies.

Qualifications

Must-Haves:

• 8 –12 years of overall experience in product management, innovation consulting, internal systems strategy, or automation-focused roles.

• 2-5 years of people management experience, especially leading high-caliber ICs working in ambiguous, fast-paced environments.

• Strong understanding of how to use AI to drive internal efficiencies (e.g., AI agents, automation flows, low-code platforms, API-driven systems).

• Are excited about AI and have experience or strong interest in building products using AI agents, RAG, vector databases, multi-agent systems, etc.

• Bring a builder’s and innovator’s mindset, can think out-of-the box and enjoy challenging the status quo.

• Are a strategic thinker and tactical executor—you zoom out to reshape how teams work, and zoom in to write great PRDs and track key metrics.

• Are a clear communicator who builds trust across teams and drives alignment in ambiguous, fast-moving environments.

• Proven ability to work across multiple business functions, drive alignment, and deliver measurable outcomes.

• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to synthesize abstract problems into structured solutions.

Preferred:

• MBA (preferred) or equivalent from a top tier university / college

• Previous Educational background in data science / ML

• Exposure to low-code/no-code platforms like Retool, Salesforce, ServiceNow.

• Technical background or familiarity with API design, systems architecture, and automation tooling.

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