The role: 

• Reporting to the Vice President of Content Production, the Sr. Manager of Learning Design will lead the development and implementation of high-quality, engaging, and pedagogically sound learning experiences for K-12 students.
• You will manage a team of instructional designers, content developers, and subject matter experts to create digital content that aligns with educational standards and supports differentiated learning pathways. 
• The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of K-12 education, in particular early literacy (within EdTech) and instructional design methodologies across multiple subject areas. 
• This role involves collaboration across product, content, technology, and marketing teams to ensure Newsela products are both impactful in the market and engaging to our users.

Why you’ll love this role: 

• Subject Matter Expertise and Leadership:
  • Provide authoritative insight and thought partnership, particularly within the sphere of literacy, on strategic initiatives and projects.
  • Define and maintain pedagogical frameworks that incorporate best practices in instructional design and learning science.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams (product, marketing) to integrate learning design into product development and surface important research for the development of and communications about Newsela’s product features and content
• Instructional Design and Development:
  • Oversee the creation and refinement of digital K-12 curriculum content, ensuring alignment with national and state standards (e.g., Common Core, NGSS).
  • Lead the team in designing and developing interactive and engaging learning experiences (e.g., lessons, assessments, writing prompts and activities).
• Team Management:
  • Manage and mentor a team of learning experience designers and content developers.
  • Drive professional development initiatives that enhance the team’s knowledge of pedagogy, efficacy research, technology tools, and educational standards.
• Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement:
  • Pair vetted research with user research and guidance from subject matter experts to create transparent guidelines and best practices for learning design.
  • Ensure content is inclusive and accessible for diverse learners, including students with special needs and English Language Learners.
• Data-Driven Decision Making:
  • Use data analytics to measure the usage and efficacy of learning design initiatives and iteratively improve content.
  • Collaborate with research teams to test and validate learning interventions, ensuring the content is backed by educational research.
• Innovation & Thought Leadership:
  • Stay current on trends in EdTech, K-12 education, and instructional technology to ensure the company remains at the forefront of innovation.
  • Lead presentations and training sessions for internal and external stakeholders on learning design and educational best practices.
  • Provide meaningful and thoughtful literacy support at scale to educators through your instructional guidelines, in presentations at conferences and in authored blog posts.

Why you’re a great fit: 

• Master’s degree or higher in Education, Instructional Design, Learning Sciences, or a related field.
• 7+ years of experience in instructional design, curriculum development, or learning experience design, with at least 3 years in a leadership role with management experience.
• Experience creating and enforcing guidelines, policies or ways of working for a team or organization.
• In-depth knowledge of K-12 education systems, early literacy and phonics, as well as curriculum standards (e.g., Common Core, NGSS).
• Experience managing a content development and/or instructional design team.
• Strong understanding of EdTech tools, digital learning platforms, and the integration of technology in the classroom.
• Excellent project management skills, with the ability to handle multiple projects and deadlines.
• Experience working with CMSs (Content Management Systems) 
• Analytical skills and ability to make data-informed decisions.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with experience engaging with educators and administrators.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with data-driven instructional design and using analytics to inform content decisions.
• Familiarity with Agile methodologies in content or product development.
• Strong online presence as a thought leader in the literacy space.
• Experience working as a reading specialist, speech-language pathologist or other literacy specialist
• Experience working with English-language learners
• Spanish language skills

Compensation:

• Base salary: $90,000 – $105,800

Total compensation for this role also includes incentive stock options and benefits. This compensation range may be adjusted based on actual experience.

About Organization

Newsela is a fast-growing education technology startup with a single ambitious goal: Meaningful classroom learning for every student. We provide engaging, relevant instructional content for teachers that both educates and inspires. With nearly two million teachers signed up, Newsela is helping kids improve their reading skills in all 50 states and more than 150 countries. We seek passionate, creative employees with quick minds and warm hearts. If you believe that all students deserve a more rigorous, more personalized learning experience, please apply to join our team.