Director, Professional Learning

Role Overview

This is a senior leadership opportunity for someone who can shape the long-term direction, operating model, and organizational structure of the Professional Learning Services team. The role carries full ownership of the Professional Learning P&L and is expected to contribute directly to customer retention and revenue growth. You will guide a team of Professional Learning Managers, scale content and delivery models to serve all customers, and help raise the benchmark for quality in professional learning.

Team Leadership and Organizational Growth

You will be responsible for expanding and developing the Professional Learning team with an emphasis on preparing future leaders, designing the right team structure, and aligning the function to broader growth and go-to-market priorities. The role also includes defining and managing performance metrics for the team, content impact, and customer results, with regular updates to senior leadership. In addition, you will lead change efforts that improve scalability, efficiency, and customer value across the function.

Content Strategy and Quality

The position requires ownership of the strategic direction for all Professional Learning content, informed by research-backed educational practices and adult learning principles. A major part of the role is ensuring that offerings generate measurable ROI for customers, improve teacher engagement, and increase product adoption. You will also work closely with Product and Marketing to keep the professional learning strategy aligned with product changes, customer expectations, and market positioning.

Customer Journey and Revenue Impact

You will build a multi-year approach to content delivery that embeds Professional Learning into the broader customer lifecycle, including scaled success programs and long-term retention efforts. Partnering with Customer Success and Sales, you will position Professional Learning as a lever for renewals and expansion by linking learning outcomes to business results. The role also involves assessing how resources affect educators, administrators, and students, then adapting content based on those findings.

Vendor, Budget, and Commercial Ownership

You will manage all vendor relationships for Professional Learning, including contracts and budget planning. The expectation is to keep spending aligned with quarterly targets while maximizing return on investment.

Qualifications and Expectations

Applicants should bring more than 10 years of progressive experience in professional learning or educational services leadership, including at least 5 years in a strategic leadership role managing a function or P&L at the Director level or above. The role calls for a strong track record of building and leading high-performing manager-level teams, with experience in coaching, talent growth, organizational design, and balancing strategic planning with hands-on execution. Candidates must be willing and able to travel up to 30% throughout the year.

Deep expertise is expected in adult learning theory, literacy instruction, and the K-12 market. The ideal candidate will also have experience using tools such as Salesforce and LMS platforms to improve efficiency and support P&L decision-making. Strong executive communication is essential, including the ability to present, negotiate, and align multi-year strategy, budget forecasts, and performance data with VP-level leaders and outside stakeholders.

Other Requirements

All employment offers are conditional upon successful completion of a background check before joining.

About the Company

Newsela is an education technology company focused on improving classroom learning for every student. Its AI-powered products are designed to increase student engagement, support teachers, and improve learning outcomes. The platform combines content, assessment, and analytics to help K–12 educators monitor progress, understand results, and deliver more effective instruction.

Benefits and Perks

The company offers comprehensive medical coverage with employer contributions toward premiums and HSA accounts, plus additional wellness support such as gym reimbursement, pet insurance, free access to Calm, Rocket Lawyer, and other resources for mind and body wellbeing. The role is fully remote and includes a monthly technology stipend to support home-office needs. Family benefits include parental leave, fertility support, adoption support, and more. Financial wellness is supported through a 401(k) plan with employer match. Time off includes flexible PTO, paid sick time, company holidays, and winter break from December 24 through January 1. Employees also receive an annual learning and development allowance for external training, classes, workshops, conferences, and educational materials. The work is described as having a direct positive impact on students and teachers.

Compensation

The base salary range for this position is $115,000 to $132,000 USD. Final compensation will depend on the candidate’s skills, qualifications, and experience. Total compensation also includes incentive stock options and benefits.