Director, Literacy

Student Achievement Partners (SAP) is an education nonprofit offering unmatched expertise on standards-aligned math and literacy instruction. At Student Achievement Partners, we believe providing joyful, asset-based, high-quality instruction is the key to preparing all students, especially historically marginalized Black and multilingual students, to thrive academically and lead choice-filled lives. As a team of former educators, we know the difference the right resources can make - and we know the importance of grounding our offerings in both research and the realities of the classroom. By supporting educators with concrete guidance and tools to deliver relevant, engaging, grade-level instruction for every student, we can deliver on the promise of public education and unlock student potential.  We're proud to partner with state and district education leaders, educators, professional learning organizations, and education organizations and we offer both free and paid resources, as well as personalized consultation. Learn more about the support and tools we offer at www.learnwithsap.org.

How We Work

We work in project-based design teams that include internal staff and external consultants and co-designers. Working collaboratively, these teams employ an equitable design approach to identify, define, investigate, and address challenges that education stakeholders (systems, educators, and students) are experiencing in the field. 

SAP's internal structure is designed to support employees to thrive in a collaborative, remote environment that centers equitable design practices. All staff work together to support each member of the team and elevate their talents, skills, and lived experiences. We do this so that each of our skill sets, voices, and personal and professional journeys contribute meaningfully to SAP's mission. We value and provide growth opportunities to individuals who demonstrate a commitment to learning about equitable literacy and mathematics instruction, and its impact on the broader education ecosystem. 

We use collaboration software such as Zoom Video Conference, Microsoft Outlook and Teams, Dropbox and Google Suite to facilitate communication and collaboration while working remotely.

About the Position: 

The Director, Literacy will lead high-impact projects and initiatives, applying deep content expertise in literacy while shaping strategy and fostering equitable learning opportunities across K-12 systems. This role requires exceptional leadership, strategic thinking, and the ability to translate organizational goals into actionable team workplans. Directors will represent SAP externally, cultivating high-stakes partnerships, and internally, guiding cross-functional teams and contributing to SAP’s mission and vision.

The Director, Literacy will contribute to SAP by:

• Building and executing departmental strategy in collaboration with senior leadership; translate strategy into actionable team workplans and initiatives.
• Designing and overseeing initiatives to achieve strategic priorities, ensuring deliverables are on time, within scope, and on budget.
• Leading multiple complex projects simultaneously, delegating effectively and fostering shared ownership across internal teams.
• Using short- and mid-term planning to solve problems of diverse scope and provide input on and execute organizational decisions.
• Providing deep expertise in literacy content, pedagogy, and systems-level leadership to support high-quality instruction and equitable student outcomes.
• Staying current with contemporary literacy content and evidence-based instructional practices 
• Managing project budgets, grant-funded initiatives, and resources, ensuring accountability, quality, and alignment with goals.
• Communicating effectively with diverse audiences (teachers, administrators, policymakers), tailoring messaging to context and elevating key issues appropriately.
• Representing SAP externally through thought leadership, speaking engagements, publications, and presentations. 
• One or more of the following responsibilities can also be expected to fall to a director as part of this senior role. Directors will be matched with these responsibilities based on their skill set and capacity through a collaborative process:
• People Management: Managing team members by providing coaching towards individual professional learning goals aligned to organizational and team priorities through consistent high-quality feedback 
• Partnership Management - Designing and/or managing end-to-end processes related to cultivating and securing high-stakes partnership relationships with multiple stakeholders in a way that balances user experience with high impact for clients
• Strategy Support & Execution: Leading of sub-committee groups to support and execute on specific aspects of the overall strategy where they own goals and tracking progress (e.g. business development, an inquiry area, a service line)
• Internal Initiatives: Leading internal structures or processes to support team development where they own planning, implementation, and ongoing refinement (e.g. leading internal content learning, role-specific development)
• Program Inquiry: Leading exploration in an inquiry area in collaboration with the product team to support the identification of key questions, activities aligned to those questions and organizational/team goals, outreach, and metrics for success

Qualifications:

• Deep belief in equitable learning opportunities and the potential for students to access joyful, rigorous, grade-level literacy experiences.

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in education, curriculum, or related field preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years of classroom teaching experience in K-5 or secondary literacy (grades 6-12), including experience with multilingual and diverse learners.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in a senior level district role or leading systems-level work
• Experience in literacy leadership at district, state, or national levels preferred.
• Exceptional communication skills, with experience influencing diverse audiences and representing organizations externally.
• Experience in dynamic, fast-paced environments, with demonstrated adaptability, strategic prioritization, and problem-solving.
• Passion for and deep knowledge of evidence-based literacy instruction required;
• Knowledge of and commitment to continue building capacity of culturally relevant pedagogical practice (preferred);
• Commitment to working in project-based design teams to employ equitable design approaches.

Travel Expectations

Travel required up to 15–20% annually, including quarterly in-person meetings and external events.

Compensation and Benefits

Student Achievement Partners offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience. The salary range for this position is $150,000 -$180,000. All employees at Student Achievement Partners work remotely. Additionally, Student Achievement Partners provides a comprehensive benefits package that includes unlimited vacation time, unlimited sick days, professional development funds, medical, dental, and vision insurance, FSA, and an employer-sponsored 401k retirement plan. 

Student Achievement Partners is an equal opportunity employer, committed to reflecting the diversity of the students we serve. We welcome applications from qualified candidates of all backgrounds. This position is available immediately.