About Keys to Literacy (KTL)
KTL is a rapidly expanding professional learning company located in Rowley, MA, started in 2007. We provide professional development (PD) to educators related to teaching reading and writing across all grades. We work with hundreds of school districts, state departments of education, higher ed institutions, and other education organizations across the country. Our PD programs and courses are developed and published in-house, including online courses, books, and materials used in live trainings. Our program titles can be viewed at the services page at our website. We pride ourselves on being a great place to work and we work hard to create a company that is characterized by collaboration, communication, respect, integrity, and high standards.
Our Mission Statement: We believe the ability to read and write is the foundation for all learning and essential for a fulfilling and impactful life. We also believe effective, culturally responsive literacy instruction is a critical equity issue. Our mission is to provide high-quality, engaging, and sustainable professional development that is aligned to research-based literacy instruction. The goal is to help educators teach literacy skills in a way that increases literacy achievement for all students.
About the Product Department
This department is responsible for the development, maintenance, and management of KTL PD learning products across their life cycles. This includes online courses, books, and materials used in virtual-live or onsite training delivered by KTL’s national trainers/consultants (PowerPoint presentations, handouts, etc.). The department is responsible for adherence to style-guides and quality for slides and training materials, and making sure materials meet A.D.A. (Americans with Disability Act) accessibility standards. Department staff work collaboratively with other KTL departments to provide access to training materials and assist in modifying them for bespoke PD projects. The Product Department staff currently consists of 2 senior product managers, 2 administrative assistants; it is anticipated that additional staff will be added within the year. The department is currently managed by the KTL founder and CEO, who will transfer this responsibility to the person hired for this VP position.
About the Position
KTL is seeking a full-time, salaried professional to oversee KTL’s Product Department. This position will work closely with and report to the KTL founder and CEO (Joan Sedita), and work closely with its COO and Vice Presidents to take over day-to-day responsibilities of managing the Product Department.
In addition to responsibilities directly related to the Product Department, the person in this position will join the KTL senior management team to collaborate on company projects and initiatives that affect multiple departments.
Location
This role can be based out of KTL’s Rowley, MA office, or remotely from a home office for candidates outside of the North Shore, MA area. Most of the interaction with KTL staff will happen remotely using Zoom.
Essential Responsibilities
- Supervise and mentor the product department staff
- Oversee the planning and management/execution of:
- Updates to existing PD products and development of new PD products (including related online courses, books, and training materials such as presentation slides, handouts, pacing guides, etc.)
- Modification of existing PD products (online courses, training materials) for bespoke customer contracts
- Coordinate with the Head of PD Program Development to ensure that content is updated, current, and supportive of engaging and informative training.
- As company contracts and priorities shift, oversee the ongoing list of department tasks and projects, including prioritization of tasks for the department, and prioritization of department staff assignments.
- Be willing and able to work alongside the department staff to work on creating/modifying training slides, handouts, and online courses.
- In coordination with the Head of Content Development, make sure the materials produced by the department (and those in other departments who may develop PD materials) are of the highest quality and adhere to ADA standards.
- Refine, develop and oversee change-management processes for company-wide access and adoption of updated/modified products, in a collaborative manner that includes input from Product Department staff and stakeholders in other KTL departments.
- In particular, develop and manage the plans for a shift of KTL’s online courses to a new LMS hosting platform, anticipated to take place in the fall of 2024.
- Collaborate regularly with senior management staff outside the Department (CEO, COO, VP & Director of Professional Development, VP & Director Account Management). This includes providing input and guidance related to the role of product in PD project proposals and contracts with schools and districts.
- Gather, vet, and share key research and resources from the literacy field that have an impact on the content of KTL products.
Skills and Qualifications
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Experience producing and managing PD-related products. Strong process orientation and demonstrated ability to manage a Product Department and work collaboratively with its stakeholders
- Strong background knowledge and experience related to online course development, including effective design of content and issues related to LMS hosting platforms as well as ADA compliance.
- Experience with the Microsoft and Google suite of products, as well as software for developing online courses (e.g., Articulate 360 or similar).
- Experience managing professionals and administrative staff
- Strong background knowledge and experience (using Microsoft PowerPoint and Google Slides) to produce quality presentation slides
- Experience and strong background knowledge related to evidence/research-based literacy instruction and the field of literacy strongly preferred
- Knowledge of effective adult learning theory and practices
- Experience with processes related to the production of books, including working with editors and book designers (this qualification is preferred, but not required)
- Experience communicating with school or district administrators and other education-related leaders
- A passion for the mission of KTL, and alignment with our values and commitment to helping educators improve student literacy achievement
- Very strong executive function, communication, and interpersonal skills
- Able and willing to do some travel.