Associate Director, Strategy & Operations (Science of Reading)

What We Do

At Leading Educators (LE), we know that excellent teaching is the most important driver of student success. The moment a student steps foot in the classroom, their opportunity to learn depends on how prepared their teacher is to translate complex content knowledge, standards, and their knowledge of that student into lessons that help them learn deeply and apply their thinking to the real world.

That’s a big lift, and it often happens alone. As a national nonprofit, we partner with school systems to overcome persistent instructional challenges, foster intentional collaboration and adult learning by design, and ignite new possibilities through systemic solutions at the intersection of teaching, talent, and technology.

We work shoulder-to-shoulder with educators at every level of the education system to strengthen their instructional and leadership practices, bring a vision for excellent instruction to life with consistency, and ensure every student reaches their full potential.

Through direct support, strategic advising, innovation pilots, and best-in-class research, we help educators work toward a future where every student is ready to thrive. Learn more about our work at leadingeducators.org.

Internal Candidate Application Deadline: <April 21, 2025>

External Candidate Application Deadline: <April 25, 2025>

Position

Are you ready to help transform how students across the country learn to read? At Leading Educators, we’re building a national movement for literacy grounded in the Science of Reading—and we need a powerhouse Associate Director of Strategy & Operations to help us lead the charge.

In this role, you'll work cross-functionally to support internal operations, network-wide initiatives, client engagements, and business development. You'll be a trusted partner to senior leaders, a thought-partner for stakeholders, and a driver of strategic projects that enhance the network's effectiveness and long-term sustainability.

This is more than a behind-the-scenes role. It’s a front-row seat to systems-level change—where your strategic thinking, creativity, and operational brilliance will help thousands of students become confident, capable readers.

Do you have expertise in…

• Designing and managing systems for operations, communication, and knowledge sharing across multiple stakeholders?
• Supporting cross-functional teams with logistics, project planning, and strategic execution?
• Analyzing data to generate insights, improve processes, and demonstrate impact?
• Developing compelling, aligned messaging for internal and external audiences?

Do you enjoy…

• Building connections across teams, partners, and communities to drive a shared vision?
• Leading behind-the-scenes to ensure seamless events, convenings, and engagements?
• Collaborating with mission-driven colleagues in a fast-paced, purpose-led environment?
• Working independently, solving problems, and continuously optimizing systems?

If you've answered affirmatively to these questions and meet the following prerequisites, we urge you to seize this opportunity. This role calls for the following:

• 4–7 years of experience in operations, communications, marketing, or project management, ideally in a mission-driven or educational context
• Strong writing, communication, and visual design skills using tools like Canva, Google Slides, PowerPoint, and AI-based platforms
• Proficiency with data analysis and visualization tools (Google Sheets, Excel, Power BI, Survey Monkey)
• Experience managing events and creating content for diverse stakeholders
• Comfort with tools such as Asana, Google Drive, and knowledge management systems

Travel Requirements

This is a remote position that requires up to 35% travel

• National travel for org retreats, programming, job related travel, or professional development 
• Outside of the above mentioned travel, this person will work from a home office that must be located anywhere within the U.S. 

Why Work at Leading Educators? 

Imagine being part of an organization where your ideas and perspectives are highly valued. At Leading Educators, we believe in fostering individual strengths, encouraging personal growth, and embracing innovative ideas. If you thrive in a remote working environment, with the added excitement of travel, we're the perfect fit for you. By joining us, you become part of a powerful community of peers nationwide. Regardless of your location, you possess the power to make a significant impact on both students and teachers who rely on us daily. Join Leading Educators and become an integral part of driving progress in education. 

Learn About Our Mission & Values:

Mission: Leading Educators partners with school systems to sustain the teaching, leadership, and conditions for every student to succeed in school and in life.

Values:

• Build on strengths: We affirm and begin with the unique and collective talents, experiences, and wisdom of ourselves and others.
• Continuously learn: We develop ourselves and others. We apply new learning and deepened self-awareness to our relationships and practices.
• Prioritize people: We build trust and reflect on the impact of different perspectives and experiences.
• Champion success for all: We re-imagine structures, habits, and mindsets to ensure every learner has access to evidence-based learning opportunities.

Benefits

• Compensation: The compensation range for this position is between $73,495, with a midpoint of $91,869, and a maximum of $110,243 annually. Candidates, either newly hired or new to the role, can typically expect a salary between the range minimum and the salary range midpoint depending on qualifications and internal alignment.
• Benefits: 100% paid medical, dental, and vision coverage for individual employees. Additional premium costs are covered 60% by Leading Educators for partners and dependents on medical, dental, and vision plans. 4% matching 401k plan, Flexible Spending Accounts for medical, childcare and commuter expenses, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Benefits are valued at or above $9,000 for employees.
• Time Off: 
• First three years of employment, full time staff accrue 22 days a year. 
• Five additional days are accrued after the third and sixth year of employment.
• Leading Educators also offer 16 additional paid days off for various holidays, including three floating holidays staff may use at their discretion.

Equal Opportunity Employment 

Leading Educators is an equal opportunity employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, marital status, military status, pregnancy, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local, state, or federal laws, rules, or regulations.

Apply: https://leadingeducators.org/careers/opportunities