Nicola Crous
Product Manager
Johannesburg
Summary
Results-driven product management professional dedicated to delivering innovative solutions that enhance business performance. Expertise in collaborating with cross-functional teams to drive product development from concept to launch, leveraging strong adaptability in dynamic environments. Proficient in agile methodologies and stakeholder management, ensuring alignment and engagement throughout the product lifecycle. A diverse background in teaching, mathematics, physics, and data analytics fosters effective communication of complex insights and leadership of collaborative projects that yield meaningful outcomes.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
2
2
Languages
Work History
Technical Product Manager
SpecCon Holdings (Pty) Ltd.
09.2025 - Current
- Product Coordination: Oversee collaboration between content, design, and technical teams to deliver a cohesive and scalable online learning environment.
- AI Tool Integration: Support the design and implementation of intelligent systems such as content scrapers, PDF readers for assessment analysis, and cognitive-level evaluation tools within the Learner Accelerator Programme.
- Process Optimisation: Streamline communication across departments, translate educational needs into development goals, and maintain agile workflows for faster and more accurate implementation.
- Quality Assurance: Ensure that digital content and interface design meet educational standards, enhance user experience, and maintain platform consistency.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Build and manage relationships with academic partners to promote platform adoption, facilitate onboarding, and strengthen institutional collaboration.
- Innovation & Strategy: Contribute to long-term product strategy by combining pedagogical insight with emerging technologies that enhance assessment accuracy, learner engagement, and overall platform efficiency.
Data Translator and Product Owner
Synapse Junction
08.2024 - 08.2025
- Managing internal and client-focused analytics projects, including a internal Power BI reporting initiative and customer engagement.
- Responsible for Agile project management, consistently delivering approximately 122 Jira story points weekly.
- Engaging directly with clients, significantly enhancing client satisfaction and relationships, as recognized by the CEO.
- Utilizing statistical analysis (e.g., standard deviation) to ensure data accuracy and detect anomalies in sales and operational data.
- Developing and refining PySpark and Azure OpenAI pipelines to enhance data quality, standardization, and usability across diverse product categories.
- Implemented and refined machine learning algorithms within a product clustering project, enhancing data categorization, standardization, and attribute extraction efficiency.
Tutor
Self-employeed
01.2016 - 12.2024
- Private (2016-Current) - Science and Mathematics: Private tutor sessions for grade 8 to 12 CAPS and IEB learners, Assigning and assessing homework activities, Working through past papers.
- Master Maths, Blackheath Centre (2020) - Science: Explaining physical science concepts to FET learners, Explaining mathematical concepts to senior phase and FET learners, Marking of activities, Electronically updating learner profiles according to their academic progress.
- University of Johannesburg (2018-2019) - Undergraduate Mathematics: Individual tutor sessions in the Mathematics Learning Centre, Supporting lecturers during weekly tutorial sessions, Marking of class test and assignments.
- Private Tutor and Scribe (2016): Scribing for a Helpmekaar College student with a disability, Tutoring the learner in all her subjects, Assisted the learner with study methods for tests and examinations.
Mathematics Teacher
Hoërskool Randburg
01.2021 - 01.2024
- Mathematics - Grade 8 (Subject Coordinator 2022), Grade 9, Grade 10 (Subject Coordinator 2023), Grade 11.
- Mathematical Literacy - Grade 10 (Subject Coordinator 2021).
- AdMaths - Grade 11 (In 2023, my class achieved the 2nd highest average score in South Africa.
Textbook Coordinator
Hoërskool Randburg
01.2023 - 01.2024
- Tasked with implementing and streamlining the electronic GDE textbook system and provide training on its use. Responsible for loading, dispatching, auditing and collecting textbooks.
Hockey Organiser
Hoërskool Randburg
01.2022 - 12.2022
- Organiser for both boys' and girls' hockey (seven teams). The role consists of the following responsibilities: School representative at district and SAHA meetings, Budget planning, Managing hockey coaches; establishing and overseeing a parent hockey committee, Managing hockey match dates, times, locations, and transport; booking Astro field times for training sessions and matches; setting up training schedules for all teams.
Hockey Coach
Hoërskool Randburg
01.2021 - 12.2021
- Coached hockey for the under 16 girls team.
Production Manager
Hoërskool Randburg
01.2021 - 12.2021
- Co-establisher of the school's internal news agency, Randburg Nuusagentskap (RNA). Weekly news was livestreamed into every classroom via a YouTube link.
Education
Post Graduate Certificate in Education - FET Mathematics and Physical Science
University of Johannesburg
Johannesburg01.2020
Bachelor of Science - Physical Sciences
University of Johannesburg
Johannesburg01.2019
National Senior Certificate - Afrikaans Huistaal (A), English Home Language (B), Mathematics (B), Physical Science (A), Biology (A), Business Studies (A), Music (A)
Hoërskool Linden
Johannesburg01.2015
Skills
Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint,
Microsoft PowerBI
Jira product backlog management
Microsoft Azure Synapse Analytics
Prompt Engineering
Critical thinking and problem solving
Project management
Interests
Hockey
Choir
Reading
Exercise
Hiking
Camping
Running
Personal Information
- Gender: Female
- Driving License: Code B
- ID Type: South African Identification Document
- ID Number: 97052110139080
- SACE number: 12642344
Accomplishments
- 2025, Completed the Om-die-dam 21km half-marathon
- 2024, Completed a 4-day Drakensberg hike
- 2023, Completed 4 days of the 6-day Amatola hike
- 2022, Completed the 3-day Magoebaskloof hike
- 2020, Completed the 5-day Cederberg hike
- 2019, Completed the 5-day Fanie Botha hike
- 2017, Certified Level 1 Hockey Coach
Extra Mural Involvement
- Laudem Dei Chamber Choir, 2025-01-01, Present
- Johannesburg Youth Choir Member, 2023-01-01, 2025-12-31
- Shumbas Hockey Club Member, 2022-01-01, 2025-12-31
- University of Johannesburg Choir Member, 2017-01-01, 2018-12-31
- Hoërskool Linden Choir Member, 2011-01-01, 2016-12-31
Formal Music Training
- 2015, Grade 7 Singing with distinction
- 2014, Grade 6 Theory of Music with merit
- 2013, Grade 4 Theory of Music with merit
- 2013, Grade 4 Singing with merit
- 2012, Grade 3 Singing with merit
Awards
- 2019, University of Johannesburg Top Achiever in Mathematics
- 2019, University of Johannesburg Top Achiever in Physics
- 2018, University of Johannesburg Top Achiever in Mathematics (1st semester)
- 2018, University of Johannesburg Top Achiever in Physics
- 2017, University of Johannesburg First Year Top Achiever
Timeline
Technical Product Manager
SpecCon Holdings (Pty) Ltd.
09.2025 - Current
Data Translator and Product Owner
Synapse Junction
08.2024 - 08.2025
Textbook Coordinator
Hoërskool Randburg
01.2023 - 01.2024
Hockey Organiser
Hoërskool Randburg
01.2022 - 12.2022
Mathematics Teacher
Hoërskool Randburg
01.2021 - 01.2024
Hockey Coach
Hoërskool Randburg
01.2021 - 12.2021
Production Manager
Hoërskool Randburg
01.2021 - 12.2021
Tutor
Self-employeed
01.2016 - 12.2024
Bachelor of Science - Physical Sciences
University of Johannesburg
National Senior Certificate - Afrikaans Huistaal (A), English Home Language (B), Mathematics (B), Physical Science (A), Biology (A), Business Studies (A), Music (A)
Hoërskool Linden
Post Graduate Certificate in Education - FET Mathematics and Physical Science
University of Johannesburg