Senior Director 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 23, 2025

Position

At Leading Educators, we are on a mission to eradicate illiteracy by embedding evidence-based literacy practices into classrooms across the country. As a national nonprofit, we partner with school systems to solve entrenched instructional challenges and transform student outcomes. We’re looking for a passionate and strategic leader to join us as Senior Director, Science of Reading, where you’ll guide a high-performing team to design, implement, and scale structured literacy practices that ensure every child learns to read proficiently.

Do you have expertise in...

• Designing and delivering professional learning grounded in the Science of Reading?
• Advising school and district leaders on sustainable systems for literacy instruction?
• Leading consulting engagements that support implementation of high-quality instructional strategies?
• Coaching others to improve adult learning systems and lead change at the school and district levels?

Do you enjoy...

• Building the capacity of internal teams and district partners to advance equity through literacy?
• Developing tools, frameworks, and strategies that translate research into meaningful classroom practice?
• Managing dynamic projects with urgency, creativity, and strategic clarity?
• Learning continuously and applying new insights to real-world instructional challenges?

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:

• Experience: 10+ years in education, including 5 years as a classroom teacher, 3 years in instructional leadership, and 2 years in consulting.
• Education: Advanced degree in education leadership (e.g., Master’s).
• Expertise: Advanced training in structured literacy, such as LETRS or similar credentials.

Travel Requirements

This is a remote position that requires up to 20-35% travel

• National travel for org retreats, programming, job related travel, donor meetings 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 $104,695, with a midpoint of $136,103, and a maximum of $167,511 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