Editorial Director, English Language Arts

Title: Editorial Director, English Language Arts

Reports To: Senior Director, Educator Content

Status: Full Time; Exempt

Location: US Based Home Office

Start Date: Immediate 

Facing History and Ourselves is a global education non-profit organization that challenges teachers and students to use lessons of history to stand up to bigotry and hate. 

Who you are: The Editorial Director, English Language Arts is responsible for developing, communicating, and refining the vision and strategy for ELA Products and Services. The Editorial Director ensures that all educator resources are aligned to Facing History’s pedagogy and approach, grounded in the latest field research, and take into account best practices for teaching and learning. The Editorial Director will join a collaborative team whose roles include curriculum writers, editors, production coordinators, supervisors, and strategists. 

Who We Are: Facing History’s educational content is informed by a unique pedagogical model that helps students explore questions of identity, human behavior, prejudice, and civic responsibility, and make the essential connection between history and the moral choices they confront in their own lives today. We currently apply this model to explore case studies of pivotal historical moments such as the Holocaust and the Reconstruction Era following the American Civil War, as well as themes like coming of age in a complex world and rich works of literature such as Brown Girl Dreaming.

Specific Responsibilities Include: 

• Work in partnership with senior Program leadership, including the Senior Director, to develop and execute a multi-year plan for ELA content that supports Facing History’s mission and growth strategy.
• Manage the editorial cycle including revisions resulting from evaluation and class testing.
• Serve as a thought partner and editor to members of the ELA curriculum writing team. 
• Offer strong editorial guidance and supervision in the writing of new resources aligned to FH’s student learning objectives and outcomes. Ensure that these resources also align with relevant ELA standards when possible.
• Stay current on latest trends, technology, and methods of learning through research, networking, and ongoing professional learning.
• Become an expert in Facing History’s unique organizational voice, perspective, and pedagogical model and apply them to the design of ELA curriculum resources.
• Research, synthesize, and communicate to staff current best practices in theory, research/scholarship, and pedagogy and coordinate with  Program leadership and staff to develop internal professional learning.
• Partner closely with the school and product teams to ensure our curriculum model supports whole-school implementation across grade levels.
• Leverage regional program staff and teacher advisory board members as thought partners and advisors to understand how regional context may impact national curriculum.
• Supervise ELA curriculum developers and freelancers.
• Partner with a Senior Curriculum Developer to set goals for the Teacher Advisory Board.

Program-wide Roles and Responsibilities

• Coordinate with Program and Online Learning to develop an arc of learning for Facing History ELA educators.
• Coordinate with the Product Manager and Evaluation team to develop protocols for class testing and educator feedback on new ELA professional learning and resources. 
• Coordinate with Product Development and Digital Operations to develop a digital-first approach to ELA content delivery. 

• Engage with the Office of Equity and Inclusion to support the ELA team's articulation and incorporation of DEIB values and practices.

• Partner with the Marketing team to write and edit content for ongoing publications, social media, and advertising. 

   

Essential Skills and Qualities:

Facing History understands that restrictive job requirements may exclude historically marginalized groups from applying to jobs for which they are qualified. We take an equitable and holistic screening approach. If you feel you have demonstrated experience and expertise relevant to perform this role, please don’t hesitate to apply!

• Experience as a successful editor, project manager, and supervisor
• Deep knowledge and experience with EdTech and delivering content in a digital first format
• Demonstrated up-to-date knowledge and expertise in best practices in the teaching, pedagogy, and assessment of ELA, and a commitment to ensuring that those practices are reflected as appropriate in Facing History content 

• Established and effective communication skills as a leader, team member, and thought partner with an ability to give and receive clear, actionable, and constructive feedback
• A commitment to (and evident experience with) culturally relevant pedagogy
• ELA teaching experience and a deep knowledge of Facing History and Ourselves' content are strongly preferred. 

Benefits Summary: In addition to meaningful and rewarding work, Facing History provides an excellent and competitive compensation and benefits package including medical with a health reimbursement account, dental, vision, life & AD&D, long-term & short-term disability insurance, 403(b) retirement plan with a discretionary organizational contribution, generous paid time off, an employee assistance program, travel assistance plan, pre-tax commuter spending accounts, flexible spending accounts, voluntary Colonial Life group plans, robust wellness programs through Welnys TV, aHealthyMe & weekly virtual yoga and meditation, WellCents 403(b) advisement, and a friendly hybrid work environment.

Facing History values a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status and record of arrest or conviction, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We are an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

Facing History’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. At Facing History, we honor and value the uniqueness of each and every human being. Our strength as an organization that provides and distributes educational content and pedagogy to teachers across the globe is directly tied to our diversity of staff, leadership, educators, students, scholars, and volunteers. Our commitment is to treat individuals with dignity and to build and maintain a community of full participation, inclusive of the voices, needs, and contributions of all. As an organization, we are deeply aware of the legacies of injustices that persist in society and in the workplace, and we value and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in their association with excellence.  

Hybrid Work Model (For HQ): Facing History and Ourselves operates in a hybrid work model, allowing staff flexibility in both schedules and work locations. This particular position is home-based.  Some travel is required.  

Covid Protocol at Facing History: At Facing History and Ourselves, we require all employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 including any boosters required to be “up-to-date” per current CDC guidelines. All new employees must provide proof of vaccination on their first day of employment. Requests for medical or religious exemptions should be directed to our Sr. Director, Human Resources.