Manager, ELA Curriculum

Title: Manager & ELA Curriculum

Department: SEO Curriculum and Instruction

Report to: Assistant Director, ELA

Compensation: $70,500-$83,000

FLSA: Exempt

Location/Hours: Hybrid – 3 days/week in office. 

All candidates must be within commutable distance of SEO’s offices at 55 Exchange Place, New York, NY 10005, upon hire.  '

ABOUT SEO

Founded in 1963 during the Civil Rights Movement, SEO closes educational and career opportunity gaps for 7,000 ambitious young people annually. SEO Scholars is a free, eight-year, academic program that transforms public high school students in New York City, San Francisco, North Carolina, and Miami into college graduates. SEO Scholars successfully educates and mentors students to and through college. 100% of Scholars are accepted into four-year colleges, 85% of Scholars graduate with a Bachelor’s degree, and and 80% are first-generation college graduates. All are welcome to apply.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Manager, ELA Curriculum is responsible for designing, developing, and refining English Language Arts (ELA) curriculum that supports high school students’ reading, writing, critical thinking, and communication skills. This role collaborates with instructors, teaching and learning managers, and cross-functional teams to ensure materials are research-based, culturally responsive, and aligned with organizational learning objectives and national standards. The ideal candidate is a skilled writer and educator who is adept at project management and thrives on creativity, collaboration, and forward-thinking design.

This role involves working 5–6 Saturdays during each of the following periods: late September to mid-December, and late January to mid-May. Additionally, there are 4–5 evening meetings per semester throughout the year

Curriculum Design & Development (70%)

• Develop and revise high-quality English Language Arts curriculum for grades 9-12, including
  lesson plans, assessments, and instructional resources.
• Ensure curriculum aligns with Common Core State Standards, state and national benchmarks,
  and organizational objectives.
• Integrate literacy strategies, writing instruction, and reading comprehension techniques that
  foster critical thinking and academic growth.
• Maintain curriculum alignment materials and oversee course development and delivery in
• Brightspace, SEO’s learning management system.
• Create multimedia content (scripts, videos, audio) to support curriculum delivery and student engagement.
• Stay current with trends and research in curriculum design and secondary/post-secondary education.
• Continuously review and revise curriculum based on student outcomes, instructor and scholar feedback, and emerging best practices.

Teaching & Instructional Community Support (15%)

• Collaborate with the Teaching & Learning team on Supporting part-time, seasonal instructor hiring during the fall, spring and summer
  semesters across all sites
• Supporting part-time, seasonal instructor hiring during the fall, spring and summer. Providing instructors with the tools to implement lessons effectively and ensure understanding of curriculum objectives.
• Providing training and guidance on new curriculum content, instructional strategies, and assessment practices.
•  Conducting instructor observations during Saturday Academy and Summer Academy, and providing actionable feedback to instructors and the Teaching & Learning team.
• Develop content overviews and resources for staff, instructors, and caregivers to support implementation.

Cross-Functional & Organizational Collaboration (15%)

• Partner with the High School Scholars Research & Evaluation team to monitor student progress and use data to inform curriculum improvements.
• Collaborate with other curriculum teams (Math and Advisory) to ensure coherence and integration across academic programs.
• Work closely with the Assistant Director, ELA to analyze assessment, survey, and evaluation data to guide revisions.
• Engage in ongoing dialogue with the SEO community, external partners, and experts to gather feedback and enhance content quality and relevance.
• Participate in collaborative meetings with internal and external stakeholders to strengthen curriculum design and delivery.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, English, or related field.
• 3+ years of academically rigorous and critically engaged curriculum development experience
  required, including developing digital materials.
• 3+ years teaching and/or admin experience in a secondary school setting preferred

Competencies and Skills

• Deep knowledge of and experience designing curriculum in alignment with the Grades 9-12
• Common Core State Standards for ELA.
• Knowledge of Learning Management Systems or Educational Management Systems preferred.
• Familiarity with a variety of edtech and collaborative tools such as Nearpod and Miro.
• Technically proficient in standard workplace applications like Zoom, Box and Google Drive.
• Proficiency in educational technology and digital curriculum delivery.
• Strong project management skills with ability to meet deadlines across multiple priorities.
• Highly adaptable, solutions-oriented, and detail-focused.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong collaboration and interpersonal skills with a commitment to team growth.
• Commitment to ongoing professional learning and growth.
• Strong work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit that translates into successful accomplishment of
• program departmental goals.
•  Highly adaptable and solutions-oriented with an ability to solve complex problems when faced
• with tight deadlines and resource limitations.

Compensation and Benefits

SEO offers a competitive compensation package and comprehensive benefits plan including low-cost health, vision, and dental options, a generous holiday schedule and PTO policies, disability coverage, fully paid time off for new parents, and employer contributions to health reimbursement and retirement accounts. We are constantly working to improve our benefits each year based on the needs of our employees. We value wellness and strive to put people first and foremost.

The compensation listed in this posting reflects what SEO believes it will pay for this position at the time of this posting. Consistent with applicable law, compensation will be determined based on the skills, qualifications, and experience of the applicant along with the requirements of the position, and SEO reserves the right to modify this pay range at any time.

EEOC Policy

At SEO we are committed to cultivating a team that embodies the backgrounds and experiences of the constituencies we serve and the communities we live in, and a workplace that reflects the impact we make in the world. Candidates from all communities – including people of color, women, members of the LGBTQIA+ Community, veterans, and people with disabilities – are strongly encouraged to apply.

Equal Employment Opportunity is not just the law, it is our commitment.

Sponsors for Educational Opportunity is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer – M/F/D/V. We will consider all qualified applicants for employment regardless of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, marital status, veteran status, pregnancy, parental status, genetic information or characteristics, or any other legally protected status.

If you need accommodation while applying for a role with SEO, due to a disability, please email SEO Talent.

THE ORGANIZATION

Established in 1963 by Michael Osheowitz, SEO (Sponsors for Educational Opportunity) is an educational non-profit founded on the belief that talent is everywhere; but opportunity is not. Our programs are designed to educate, train, mentor, and amplify the voices of our participants to give them a seat at the table – every table. We propel human potential.

SEO is an innovator in education, mentorship, and creating educational career opportunities that maximize the full potential of our participants. Each year SEO serves 7,000+ participants nationally, and the organization is widely recognized for developing best-in-class programs with exceptional results.

Not every SEO participant is on the same journey, but all are hungry for opportunity and SEO creates an ecosystem of excellence. Learn more about SEO's programs here: https://www.seo-usa.org/our-programs/.