Managing Director of Curriculum and Instruction
Role Mission:
The mission of the Managing Director of Curriculum – [Content/Program] at IDEA Public Schools is to lead the strategic design, implementation, and continuous improvement of rigorous, research-based, and standards-aligned curriculum that drives student achievement and grade-level proficiency. Grounded in the Science of Learning and aligned to MTSS Tier 1 principles, the Managing Director ensures that curriculum products and implementation supports empower educators to maintain high expectations while scaffolding access for all learners. The Managing Director oversees a team of curriculum and instruction professionals and leads cross-functional initiatives across Academic Services, HQ, and Regional teams to ensure coherence, alignment, and impact. They analyze student performance data and system-wide trends to inform curriculum decisions, instructional strategy, and professional development, ensuring IDEA students are on a path to meaningful choice in college and life.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
The Managing Director of Curriculum and Instruction may directly manage a team of 6–12 staff members, including Curriculum Managers, Curriculum and Instruction Coaches, and/or Curriculum Support Specialists, in addition to other team-specific roles. In addition to direct supervision, the Managing Director of Curriculum provides dotted line support to regional instructional leaders and district senior instructional leaders, sharing data analysis trends, instructional recommendations, and updates on curriculum and policy changes to inform regional decision-making and ensure alignment with district goals.
Location:
This is a full-time position based in Texas, with preference given to candidates who live in Austin, El Paso, Houston, Permian Basin (Midland/Odessa), Rio Grande Valley, San Antonio, and Tarrant County (Fort Worth), or who are willing to relocate.
Travel Expectations:Up to 25%. Weekly in-region travel to school for observations; Travel across regions approximately 10 times per year for strategic collaboration, training facilitation, and/or required program observations. Commercial air travel may be required.
What You’ll Do – Accountabilities
Essential Duties:
- Lead the selection, design, revision, and refinement of curriculum products—including scope and sequences, instructional resources, and assessments—to ensure rigorous, standards-aligned Tier 1 instruction that drives student achievement and grade-level proficiency.
- Guide the creation and rollout of reliable, standards-aligned formative and summative assessments, ensuring alignment to curriculum goals and accessibility via designated platforms.
- Analyze student achievement data, including assessment results and student work, to identify trends in grade-level proficiency and inform curriculum strategy, instructional supports, and professional development.
- Collaborate with regional and senior instructional leaders to recommend pedagogical adjustments and instructional strategies that improve Tier 1 outcomes and support MTSS implementation.
- Establish the vision for pedagogical and instructional technological approaches to instructional delivery to ensure effective curriculum implementation, guiding the Curriculum and Instruction Coach(es) on their team to influence at scale.
- Supervise and develop a team of Curriculum Managers, Curriculum and Instruction Coaches, and/or Curriculum Support Specialists and other team-specific roles, ensuring high performance and strategic alignment.
- Ensure timely publication and accessibility of all curriculum materials and assessments
Additional Duties and Responsibilities
- Provide dotted line support to Texas Course Leaders and regional instructional leaders, sharing actionable insights and recommendations related to curriculum, instruction, and policy.
- Lead cross-functional initiatives across Academic Services, HQ, and Regional teams to ensure coherence between curriculum, instruction, assessment, and professional learning.
- Design and facilitate professional development for instructional leaders focused on content/program-wide curriculum implementation, data analysis, and instructional leadership.
- Support district-wide training initiatives to build awareness of academic programs, state requirements, and instructional best practices.
- Coordinate logistics for professional development sessions, ensuring accessibility and alignment with IDEA’s training platforms.
- Conduct campus observations and collaborate with school leaders to provide feedback on curriculum implementation and instructional practices.
- Participate in strategic planning meetings and contribute to district-wide academic visioning and goal-setting.
- Travel across regions to support site visits, workshops, and collaborative planning sessions.
What You Will Bring – Competencies
- Make Strategic Decisions - This team member fosters an inclusive decision-making environment by encouraging diverse perspectives, managing disagreements constructively, and creating space for all voices to be heard. They clearly communicate final decisions, providing context and anticipated impact—even when choices are difficult or unpopular.
- Manage Work and Teams - This team member builds and maintains systems to track progress toward team goals, ensuring clarity through defined roles and responsibilities. They implement structured processes that support smooth team operations and strategically allocate time and resources to drive goal achievement.
- Grow Self and Others - This team member identifies development needs across multiple groups and integrates them into broader strategic plans. They create structures that support ongoing growth, engage in succession planning, and continuously refine development strategies based on outcomes and data. Through this work, they foster a culture where continuous learning is a core part of daily work and leadership.
- Build a Culture of Trust - This team member fosters a team culture where individuals genuinely care for one another both personally and professionally. They lead with transparency, encourage open communication, including healthy conflict—and promote reliability and consistency, while regularly seeking and responding to team feedback to enhance the collective experience.
- Communicate Deliberately - This team member leads inclusive discussions that surface obstacles and drive actionable solutions, ensuring all voices are heard. They communicate key information clearly across multiple channels and establish feedback loops that promote open dialogue, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Additional Skills:
- Expertise in designing comprehensive, research-based, and user-friendly curriculum materials that support strong Tier 1 instruction.
- Deep knowledge of state and national academic standards to ensure curriculum alignment and support grade-level expectations.
- Strong understanding of Texas state accountability systems and assessment frameworks, including STAAR and TELPAS.
- Familiarity with national assessment systems, including Advanced Placement (AP), to inform curriculum design and alignment.
- Assessment literacy, including the ability to design and interpret content- and grade-level assessments to inform Tier 1 instruction and intervention strategies.
- Ability to analyze and interpret student performance data to evaluate curriculum effectiveness and guide instructional planning for improved grade-level proficiency.
- Knowledge of teaching and learning best practices and current research to ensure curriculum reflects high-leverage instructional strategies.
- Exceptional organizational and communication skills, with the ability to develop clear, audience-specific communications for diverse stakeholders.
- Strong problem-solving ability and initiative in identifying challenges and implementing effective solutions.
- Ability to build and maintain collaborative partnerships across teams, including Academic Services Teams, HQ Teams, Regional Teams, to lead cross-functional initiatives and ensure strategic alignment.
- Collaborative and respectful interpersonal skills to foster strong relationships, engage in constructive dialogue, and promote continuous improvement
Required Education and Experience:
- Educator Certification; Bachelor’s Degree
- Minimum of 5–7 years of experience in curriculum design, instructional leadership, or academic program management
- 3 years manager experience (cross-team initiative design and management may substitute for manager experience)
- Proven track record of leading curriculum implementation that drives student achievement and grade-level proficiency
- Demonstrated expertise in data analysis and using insights to inform curriculum decisions and instructional strategy
- Strong understanding of Texas state academic standards, accountability systems (e.g., STAAR, TELPAS), and assessment frameworks
- Experience designing and facilitating professional development for instructional leaders
- Ability to lead cross-functional initiatives across Academic Services and HQ teams to ensure strategic alignment and impact
Preferred Education and Experience:
- Master’s degree or advanced degree
- Experience managing direct reports, including hiring, talent development, and performance management
- Strong Knowledge of MTSS Tier 1 instruction and the Science of Learning
- Experience managing budgets, including both discretionary and restricted funding sources
- Experience completing curriculum reviews or audits to inform program improvement
- Experience leading cross-functional initiatives to influence academic results at scale
- Experience collaborating with regional and senior instructional leaders to inform policy, practice, and strategic planning
- Strong problem-solving skills and ability to navigate complex organizational structures
- Demonstrated success in building high-trust collaborative partnerships across departments and teams
Physical Requirements:
- Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk
- Ability to lift up to 20 pounds at times
What We Offer:
Compensation & Benefits:
Salaries for people entering this role typically fall between $108,100 and $128,600, commensurate with relevant experience and qualifications and in alignment with internal equity.This role is also eligible for performance pay based on organizational performance and goal attainment.
Additionally, we offer medical, dental, and vision plans, disability, life insurance, parenting benefits, flexible spending account options, generous vacation time, referral bonuses, professional development, and a 403(b) plan. You can find more information about our benefits at https://ideapublicschools.org/careers/benefits/.
* IDEA may offer a relocation stipend to defray the cost of moving for this role, if applicable.
Application process:
Submit your application online through Jobvite. Please note that applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until the position is filled. Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible.
Learn more about IDEA
At IDEA the Staff Experience Team uses our Core Values to promote human connection and a culture of integrity, respect, and belonging for all Team and Family members. Learn more about our Commitment to Core Values here: https://ideapublicschools.org/our-story/#core-values