Editorial Director

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 and External Candidate Application Deadline: 3/12/2026

Position

Ideas matter. But only when they reach the right people, at the right time, in a form they can act on. As the Editorial Director, you'll own the execution of Leading Educators' thought leadership writing and publishing—translating complex insights from our Chiefs and content-area experts into timely, compelling narratives that strengthen LE's credibility and influence in priority growth areas.

This is a strategic leadership role that sits at the intersection of editorial excellence, organizational strategy, and field impact. You'll work closely with senior leaders across math, literacy, advising, science, and AI to synthesize expertise into field-facing writing that shapes how educators think about instructional improvement. You'll lead the execution of major publications—from research reports and strategic briefs to executive bylines and keynote narratives—while establishing the systems, processes, and editorial standards that enable consistent, high-quality thought leadership production across the organization.

Beyond execution, you'll play a key strategic role in shaping which ideas are elevated externally and how they're framed. You'll evaluate opportunities based on strategic alignment and field impact, maintain a forward-looking editorial roadmap tied to organizational milestones, and partner with marketing colleagues to ensure publishing supports awareness and growth goals. You'll manage one direct report, coach leaders to articulate their ideas with clarity and conviction, and leverage AI tools to accelerate research synthesis, drafting, and repurposing workflows without compromising rigor or authenticity.

Do you have expertise in…

• Editorial leadership and publishing strategy, with demonstrated responsibility for shaping narrative direction, building editorial systems, and leading major publications from concept through launch?
• Translating complex subject matter into clear, compelling writing, with proven ability to communicate with senior decision-makers such as district leaders, state leaders, policymakers, and funders?
• Executive ghostwriting and thought leadership, with experience partnering with senior leaders to refine and elevate their voice while maintaining authenticity and strategic clarity?
• Building editorial systems and workflows that increase efficiency, consistency, and production capacity across teams and formats?

Do you enjoy…

• Shaping organizational narrative, evaluating which ideas should be elevated externally, how they should be framed, and when they should enter public conversation to maximize field impact?
• Translating expertise into action, working with subject-matter experts and executives to synthesize complex insights into clear, practical writing that moves the field forward?
• Managing editorial excellence, establishing rigorous standards for voice, structure, evidence, and fact-checking while maintaining the speed and agility needed for timely publishing?
• Leveraging AI strategically, using AI tools to accelerate research synthesis, drafting, and repurposing workflows while maintaining high standards for accuracy, voice, and originality?

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:

• Minimum of 8+ years of experience in editorial leadership, journalism, publishing, strategic communications, or thought leadership roles, with demonstrated responsibility for shaping narrative direction and publication strategy
• Proven ability to translate complex subject matter into clear, compelling writing for senior decision-makers such as district leaders, state leaders, policymakers, or funders
• Demonstrated experience leading major publications, such as reports, briefs, research summaries, or executive bylines from concept through launch
• Strong editorial judgment, with ability to assess which ideas should be elevated, how they should be framed, and when they should enter public conversation
• Experience partnering with senior leaders and executives to ghostwrite, refine, and elevate their voice while maintaining authenticity and strategic clarity
• Proven experience building or refining editorial systems, workflows, and production processes that increase efficiency and consistency
• Prior experience directly managing at least one staff member, with demonstrated ability to set expectations, provide feedback, and develop talent
• Strong project management skills, with ability to manage multiple workstreams, deadlines, and collaborators across teams
• Experience using AI tools to support research, drafting, editing, or content repurposing, with ability to apply responsible and high-quality standards to AI-assisted work
• Exceptional written communication skills and meticulous attention to detail
• AI Fluency at the Practitioner level—actively using AI tools to improve work quality, identifying appropriate use cases, and exercising sound judgment about responsible AI application
• Ability to travel moderately for organizational retreats, programming, and professional development; must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States
• Experience in education, nonprofit, policy, or mission-driven organizations (preferred)
• Experience positioning executives as public thought leaders or contributing to earned media strategy (preferred)
• Understanding of how thought leadership supports partnership development and organizational growth (preferred)

Travel Requirements

• This is a remote position requires moderate 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. 

Questions? We’re here to help.

If you have questions about this role or about our hiring process at any point, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at talent@leadingeducators.org. This inbox is monitored regularly, and we aim to respond within two business days. To ensure your question receives a thoughtful and timely response, we kindly ask that you refrain from emailing individual staff members or members of our HR team directly. The best way to connect with us is always through talent@leadingeducators.org.

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.

Use of Artificial Intelligence in Hiring

• We use artificial intelligence–enabled tools throughout our hiring process, from the moment a candidate applies through the offer stage, to support administrative tasks and the initial review of candidate materials. These tools help us organize, analyze, and surface relevant information efficiently, but they do not make hiring decisions.

• All candidate materials—including applications, resumes, assessments, and interview feedback—are reviewed and evaluated by people. All hiring decisions, including interview selection, advancement, and offers of employment, are made by humans.

• We use AI solely as a support tool to assist with early-stage reviews and process efficiency. We do not use AI in ways that discriminate based on protected characteristics, nor do we use ZIP codes or similar data to target or exclude protected groups. Our hiring practices are designed to be fair, consistent, and aligned with equal employment opportunity standards.

Benefits

• Compensation: 
  
  • If hired for this position, the base salary range is $103,649 to $140,231 per year. Most new hires enter the range at a specific point based on their qualifications and the role level. For this position, the standard starting salary is $121,940, which is based on meeting the minimum requirement of 8 years of relevant experience.
  • If you have more than 8 years of directly relevant experience, your starting salary may be adjusted higher within the range, up to a maximum starting salary of $129,779. This approach ensures that candidates with additional experience beyond the minimum are recognized in the initial salary offer.

• 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

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