Today, 67% of students and 82% of low-income students can’t read at grade level by the end of third grade. That’s when students are supposed to go from learning to read to reading to learn. It’s America’s number one education crisis and we know how to fix it.
Ignite Reading delivers one-to-one virtual tutoring that teaches every student the foundational skills they need to become a confident, fluent reader. We pair students who need extra support with expert reading tutors who provide daily, 15-minute, Science of Reading-based instruction that rapidly closes their decoding gaps. We focus on the foundational reading skills—phonics, phonemic awareness, and sight words—kids need to master so they can decode a sentence. Students in Ignite Reading’s program achieve over 2 weeks of reading skills growth per week of instruction, and notably all students achieve the same outstanding results including students with IEPs, multilingual learners, students of color and those receiving free or reduced-price lunch.Ignite Reading is a mission-driven public benefit corporation.
We believe we can do well for our team members and shareholders while we solve one of the nation’s biggest challenges. We believe we will be more successful with a diverse team and are seeking candidates who have lived experience related to social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Your Role
The Director of Academic Innovation at Ignite Reading will drive the iteration of our product in service of enabling all students to become fluent readers because they are given what they need to learn to read. Through interrogation and analysis of efficacy, this role will lead the work of improving our cutting-edge educational solution to the literacy crisis in America. This role involves staying ahead of emerging trends in pedagogy and learning science, and exploring new instructional models to enhance product offerings.
The Director will collaborate closely with the instructional design team to ensure that research-backed best practices are effectively translated into high-quality, scalable learning experiences. Additionally, they will oversee rigorous research studies, leverage data analytics, and build partnerships with academic institutions to validate and refine instructional tools. This role requires a strong ability to work cross-departmentally, providing actionable insights to product, engineering, and marketing teams, while also representing the company at industry events and contributing thought leadership to establish Ignite Reading as a leader in educational research and innovation.
Research and Innovation Strategy:
- Develop and implement a strategic vision for instructional research and innovation, ensuring alignment with the company’s broader goals and objectives.
- Stay ahead of emerging trends in pedagogy, instructional design, educational technology, and learning science.
- Oversee the identification and exploration of new instructional models and innovations that can enhance the product offering.
Instructional Design Leadership:
- Partner with the Director of Instructional design and a team of instructional designers to create high-quality, research-backed learning experiences.
- Establish processes and best practices for translating research into practical and scalable product features.
- Collaborate with product and engineering teams to ensure the seamless integration of instructional tools and innovations into the platform.
Research and Data-Driven Insights:
- Design and oversee rigorous research studies to measure the effectiveness of instructional approaches and technologies.
- Use data analytics, user feedback, and field testing to continuously improve instructional products.
- Build partnerships with academic institutions, thought leaders, and external researchers to enhance product validity and credibility.
Cross-Departmental Collaboration:
- Work closely with the product management, engineering, and marketing teams to translate research findings into actionable insights for product development and go-to-market strategies.
- Present research and innovation plans to the executive team, board members, and investors as needed.
Thought Leadership and Industry Engagement:
- Represent the company at conferences, webinars, and industry events to share insights on instructional innovation and contribute to the broader education technology community.
- Author whitepapers, blogs, and other thought leadership pieces that establish [Company Name] as a leader in educational research and instructional design.
Competencies
- Master’s or PhD in Education, Learning Science, Instructional Design, Cognitive Science, or a related field.
- 8+ years of experience in instructional design, educational research, or a related area within an edtech, K-12, or higher education context.
- Proven experience in leading innovative instructional research projects and applying research to product development.
- Strong understanding of pedagogical theories, instructional methodologies, and digital learning environments.
- Data literacy and analytic skills to unpack opportunities in our product
- Experience working in a startup or fast-paced, high-growth environment is a plus.
- Authentic leadership, exceptional project management, and collaboration skills.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex research findings in an accessible and actionable way.
At Ignite Reading, we’ve decided to embrace a transparent compensation structure for a few reasons:
To promote fairness and equity: This approach supports fairness within our structure. When everyone knows how compensation decisions are made, it reduces the likelihood of pay discrimination based on factors like gender, race, relationships, or negotiation skills.To provide accountability for our approach: The same role receives the same compensation, with no negotiation.To build trust within the organization: When employees understand how their compensation is determined, they are more likely to trust organizational structures and decisions, which can lead to overall better culture.To support legal considerations: Many states are moving to requiring compensation listed on job descriptions and we want to follow these rules. Salary: $130,000 (This is a full-time, exempt role)
We also ensure you have the tools you need to thrive both in and out of work.
- Employee Stock Options
- Medical, Dental, and Vision (80% employee coverage, 50% dependent coverage)
- Short-term disability (100% employer paid)
- Technology Stipend
- Unlimited PTO + 12 paid holidays
- Professional Development Stipend
- Wellness Reimbursement
- Internet Stipend
- 12 Weeks of Parental Leave
- Yearly Staff Retreat
- Voluntary Life Insurance
We believe in building and fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace environment. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer where all applicants are considered for employment without attention to color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status. Research shows that candidates from underrepresented backgrounds often don't apply for roles if they don't meet all the criteria – unlike majority candidates meeting significantly fewer requirements.
We strongly encourage you to apply if you’re interested!We are seeking candidates who have lived experience related to social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion. We are a virtual organization with headquarters in the California Bay Area.
