THE PROGRAM LAYER
ACADEMY
Why The Program Layer Academy
AI is redefining how organizations build, operate and grow.
Technology doesn’t create impact on its own. People do.
The professionals who will thrive are those who can combine leadership, business strategy, operational excellence and AI fluency to create real-world impact.
Yet while countless learning platforms focus on engineers and product managers, very few are dedicated to the professionals who connect technology to the world — the leaders driving programs, operations, partnerships, communities, product marketing and ecosystem growth.
The Program Layer Academy exists for them.
I’m here to deposit in you all the applicable wisdom I’ve learned working across Google, startups, Meta, and running my own company — and to chip in life lessons too, as a father of two and someone deeply involved in community building and projects.
What You’ll Learn
Rather than teaching job titles, I develop the capabilities that help professionals create greater impact.
Every framework, playbook and lesson is shaped by real-world experience across Meta, Google and Andela — plus collaborations with the Anita Borg Institute, Microsoft and the African Development Bank.
🧭Program Strategy, Design and Management
🤖AI for Business Professionals
♟️Strategic Thinking and Design
🌐Community Building and Designing Scalable Systems
🤝Partnership Strategy
📣Product Marketing & Go-to-Market
⚙️Operations Excellence
🔗Cross-functional Leadership
🎤Executive Communication
⚡Influence Without Authority
🧩Systems Thinking
📈Career Growth
📊Data-Informed Decision Making
🌍Ecosystem Strategy
🧑🏫Coaching & Mentorship
🚀Change Management
Who I Serve
Designed for those already in tech or looking to transition into it.
📋
Programs
Program Managers · Technical Program Managers · Project Managers · PMO Professionals
⚙️
Operations
Business Operations · Strategy & Operations · Operations Managers · Chief of Staff
📣
Marketing & Growth
Product Marketing Managers · Go-to-Market Managers · Growth Managers · Developer Marketing
🌐
Community & Ecosystems
Community Managers · Ecosystem Managers · Developer Relations · Creator Partnerships
🤝
Partnerships
Strategic Partnerships · Business Development · Partner Managers · Alliance Managers
🎯
Customer Success
Customer Success Managers · Solutions Consultants · Enablement Leads · Adoption Managers
🧠
AI & Innovation
AI Program Managers · AI Adoption Leads · Innovation Managers · Digital Transformation Leads
👥
People & Talent
People Operations · Talent Partners · L&D Managers · Culture & Engagement Leads
From the Founder
Hi, I’m Chimdi Aneke.
Why Learn From Me?
0.5M
Creators & developers reached through programs I drove or managed
14+
Years of tech industry experience
🇬🇧
UK Global Talent Endorsed
🎤
Spoken at dozens of tech events
2×
Founder
🌍
Experience across Africa, EMEA and Global
💰
Investor in startups
150+
Cross-functional partners & stakeholders led
50%
Drove program course completion rate — up to 10× industry standard
Over the last 14+ years, I’ve had the opportunity to, amongst many other things:
🚀Scaled programmes at Meta, Google & Andela — 500,000+ creators & developers.
🌍Designed and led a learning program for 9,500+ developers, 79% skill improvement.
💰Led a $7.5M creator incentive programme across 208 creators, impacting hundreds of thousands of players.
👥Grew communities of 130,000+ members.
⭐In 8 years at Meta, consistently earned "Exceeded" or "Greatly Exceeded" ratings — except when too new to a team to be rated.
💼Created employability initiatives generating 260+ opportunities, lifting participation by 400%.
💡Raised over $500,000 in partnerships to drive Program & Developer Training.
🎓Built one of Africa’s largest dev communities — 100,000+ learners — the Andela Learning Community.
My hope is simple: to pour out all that I’ve learned so you don’t have to go through the pain or challenges I have gone through — helping you accelerate your career, expand your impact, and become one of the people who connect technology to the world. I’m excited to build with you.
— Chimdi Aneke
Founder, The Program Layer Academy
Founder, The Program Layer Academy
Learn by Building
The best way to learn is by doing.
Capability Building
Hands-on AI Upskilling
Real-World Build Challenges
Community Learning
Each week you’ll complete practical Build Challenges inspired by real projects, programs and initiatives I’ve led over the past 14+ years.
These are not academic assignments or hypothetical case studies — they’re built to fit around the life of a busy professional, so you can apply what you learn in your own role immediately.
By the end of every Track, you’ll leave with practical assets, frameworks and work products you can immediately use in your career.
Learning Tracks
Choose the Track that best aligns with your career goals.
Prices shown in GBP
£61.99
£49.99
-20%
Now Open
30 slots max
Career Switch to Tech Track
Making the leap into tech from another industry or situation? This Track gives you the roadmap, language and confidence to break in — no matter where you’re starting from.
You’ll learn
✓How to translate your existing experience into tech-ready skills
✓Understanding how tech companies actually operate
✓Building a credible story for interviews and networking
✓Identifying the right entry point for your background
✓Working like an AI-first team from day one
✓Walk away with a personal transition plan and a 90-day action roadmap
£124.99
£99.99
-20%
Now Open
30 slots max
Become a Program Manager Track
For anyone switching into Program Management with no formal PM experience yet — Ops, Community and Product Marketing Managers, GTM leads, ICs designing and executing programs with partners, and anyone eyeing a move into the role — this Track gives you the foundation and the playbook to make the switch with clarity.
You’ll learn
✓Program design and strategy
✓Program execution
✓Stakeholder management and influencing
✓Reporting that drives decisions
✓Positioning yourself for the move into PM
✓Delivering measurable impact
✓Prioritisation and risk management
✓Cross-functional collaboration
✓Navigating ambiguity with confidence
✓Using AI to plan and manage programs
£249.99
£199.99
-20%
Now Open
30 slots max
Become an Intermediate Program Manager Track
For those with 0 to under 5 years already working as a Program Manager, ready to sharpen the fundamentals and grow faster in the role.
You’ll learn
✓Program design and strategy
✓Program execution
✓Stakeholder management and influencing
✓Reporting that drives decisions
✓Positioning yourself for promotion
✓Delivering measurable impact
✓Prioritisation and risk management
✓Cross-functional collaboration
✓Navigating ambiguity with confidence
✓Using AI to plan and manage programs
£374.99
£299.99
-20%
Now Open
30 slots max
Become a Senior Program Manager Track
For Program Managers with over 5 years of experience ready to lead bigger, messier programs and step into senior leadership — this Track sharpens the strategic and executive edge that gets you there.
You’ll learn
✓Leading programs at a strategic level
✓Managing up and across the executive suite
✓Driving change people actually get behind
✓Leading initiatives across time zones and teams
✓Advanced stakeholder and risk management
✓Using AI to automate the busywork
✓Work through real executive-level scenarios and build the artefacts for your next cross-functional initiative
Coming Soon
Community Leadership Track
For Community, Developer Relations and Advocacy Managers — and anyone building a community from scratch — ready to turn members into a thriving, self-sustaining engine for growth.
Coming Soon
AI for Business Professionals Track
Leverage AI to become a more productive, strategic and future-ready professional.
Coming Soon
Strategic Partnerships Track
Build partnerships that accelerate growth and create measurable business impact.
Coming Soon
Product Marketing & Go-to-Market Track
Position products, drive adoption and execute successful launches.
Coming Soon
Operations Excellence Track
Build systems, processes and operating models that help organizations scale.
Every Track Includes
✓Four weeks of live learning
✓Weekly 2-hour interactive sessions
✓Two live session options each week
✓Practical frameworks & playbooks
✓Hands-on AI upskilling
✓Real-World Build Challenges
✓Templates & resources
✓Private community
✓Office Hours
✓Certificate of Completion
Founding Cohort
Applications are now open.
Be among the first professionals to join The Program Layer Academy and help shape a new generation of leaders who connect technology to the world.
📅
Starts Thursday, 3 September 2026
⏳
4 weeks, 2 hours of live learning per week
🔁
Every session delivered twice — pick the time that fits
🌍
Live online
👥
Limited to 30 participants per Track
How It Works
From application to graduation.
1
Choose your Track
Select the Track that best aligns with your career goals and current experience.
2
Pay the Track fee
Secure your seat with a one-time payment for your chosen Track.
3
Join the private community
Get access to your cohort’s private space ahead of week one.
4
Attend your weekly live sessions
Every session is delivered twice — choose the time that works best for you.
5
Complete your weekly Build Challenges
Apply what you learn immediately through practical, real-world exercises.
6
Graduate
Leave with practical frameworks, work products, AI skills and a network of professionals committed to your growth.
Each weekly session is delivered twice, giving you the flexibility to choose the time that works best for you.
Other Services
Executive Advisory & Consulting
Need personalized guidance? Book a private session on whichever topic matches your challenge right now.
Prices shown in GBP
Program Strategy & Execution
⌄Community & Ecosystem Growth
⌄How to Work in Big Tech
⌄New to Tech and Early Career Mentorship
⌄Vision & Leadership Advisory
⌄Open Strategy Session
⌄General Career Advisory
⌄Choose a Session Type
Quick Consult 1:1 Session
£124.99
£99.99
-20%
30 minutes
Stuck on one decision and need an outside perspective, fast? Bring the exact thing keeping you up at night — or whatever topic you want to talk through — I’ll help you unpack it and get you moving again.
✓Pre-session questionnaire so I hit the ground running
✓30-minute live 1:1 session — no fluff, straight to your issue
✓A clear recommendation you can act on immediately
Once payment is made, the calendar becomes available to you.
Core Advisory 1:1 Session
£249.99
£199.99
-20%
60 minutes
For the challenge that needs more than a quick fix — a stalled program, a tricky stakeholder, a role you’re not sure how to grow into, or any topic you want to bring. I’ll work through it with you and build a real plan.
✓Pre-session questionnaire so I hit the ground running
✓60-minute live advisory session with me, 1:1
✓Key recommendations and a concrete next-steps plan
✓Curated resources picked for your specific situation
✓One follow-up email within 7 days to keep you accountable
Once payment is made, the calendar becomes available to you.
Strategy Intensive 1:1 Session
£436.99
£349.99
-20%
90 minutes
For your highest-stakes moment — a big promotion case, a program in crisis, a career pivot, or whatever’s top of mind for you. A full 90 minutes to think it through properly and leave with a plan you’re confident to execute.
✓Pre-session questionnaire so I hit the ground running
✓90-minute live 1:1 strategy session with me
✓A personalised, step-by-step action plan
✓Curated resources and frameworks picked for your situation
✓One follow-up email for clarifying questions within 7 days
Once payment is made, the calendar becomes available to you.
FAQ
Common questions.
Who is The Program Layer Academy for?
⌄Do I need a technical background?
⌄How much time does each Track require?
⌄What if I can’t make the live sessions?
⌄Is there a certificate or deliverable at the end?
⌄How do I book a 1:1 Advisory session?
⌄Will I have support beyond the live sessions?
⌄© 2026 The Program Layer Academy. Develop the people who connect technology to the world.