Director of Learning Innovation
Creative Learning Systems, United States

The Director of Learning Innovation - Research and Development (Ramp;D) is a pivotal role that leads our product development initiatives and establishes thought leadership within and beyond CLS. This role is characterized by a comprehensive set of responsibilities, encompassing the journey from initial research and scoping to the building of visionary prototypes. The Director of Ramp;D is tasked with crafting and refining design requirements and collaborating closely with Product amp; Academics leadership to ensure new product developments are pedagogically sound, have product market fit, and are ready for final production.

Requirements

Duties And Responsibilities

• Innovative Product Development:

• Lead Ramp;D from the ground up, including research, concept development, prototyping, and finalizing design requirements for instructional and product development handoff.
• Develop testable product prototypes, iterating based on cross-functional team collaborations and educational research findings.

• Thought Leadership and Research:

• Serve as an internal and public-facing thought leader, articulating innovative concepts and Ramp;D outcomes in various forums to position CLS as a market leader.
• Conduct in-depth research to inform product development, staying abreast of the latest trends in STEM and PBL education.

• Collaboration Across Teams:

• Collaborate with the Director of Instruction to align Ramp;D initiatives with pedagogical goals and curriculum requirements.
• Work with the Director of Product to ensure that product prototypes meet market needs and integrate seamlessly with the product suite.
• Partner with the Manager of Learning Solutions to incorporate digital instructional assets into the Ramp;D process, ensuring a consistent and cohesive learning experience across platforms.

• Strategic Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement:

• Build strategic relationships with educational stakeholders, industry experts, and research institutions to inform Ramp;D projects.
• Align Ramp;D initiatives with the strategic objectives of the educational ecosystem, enhancing the relevance and impact of CLS learning experiences.

• Leadership in Innovation and Strategic Planning:

• Independently manage strategic Ramp;D projects, ensuring they align with and advance the organization's strategic goals.

• Set and pursue strategic goals that reinforce our leadership position in STEM and PBL education.

• This job description may not be inclusive of all assigned duties, responsibilities, or aspects of the job described, and may be amended at anytime at the sole discretion of Creative Learning Systems.

Education and Experience Needed

• PhD in Education, STEM fields, Educational Technology, or a related discipline.
• A minimum of 10 years of experience in educational Ramp;D, focusing on STEM and PBL.
• Comprehensive knowledge of current educational trends, emerging technologies, and pedagogical strategies.
• Demonstrated excellence in leadership, analytical, strategic, and communication skills.

Leadership Competencies

• Strategic: Always thinking several steps ahead; stays aware of threats and opportunities in the industry and wider markets; will choose long term solutions over short term wins.
• Field Expert: Knowledgeable in their career field and motivated to self-study for the sake of leading and directing the team.
• Candid communicator: Does not shy away from productive conflict to give team members the information they need to grow and thrive.
• Bias toward action and results: Avoids analysis paralysis, unafraid to make mistakes in an effort toward progress and innovation.
• Continuous improvement mindset: Is in constant effort to find efficiencies and improvements in processes, products, and team dynamics.

Benefits

• Strong connection to the purpose of your work, knowing you’re helping teachers and students grow
• Working with delightful people at a flourishing company
• Full benefits package, including paid parental leave
• Company pays 3% of salary into 401k (regardless of employee contribution amount)
• Competitive salary (range for position: $95,000 - $115,000 annually + bonus)

Job Rewards and Benefits