Director, Field Testing (Teaching Lab Studio)

Type of Vacancy: Salaried, full-time

Start date: August 2024

Location: Remote

Report to: Managing Director, Innovation

Supervises: Depending on the project, this role may manage people and resources.

Compensation: The full salary range for this position is $106,000 - $160,335 annually. There are two types of experience being considered for this role: Experience that is directly relevant to the role and Total Working Experience, in all fields. This includes: internships and consulting work. In collaboration with the hiring manager, the People and Culture team calculates experience based on the candidate’s most current resume. When calculating the offer, consideration is given to candidates that possess additional qualifications (i.e., desired qualifications). Teaching Lab will generally cap salaries for new employees at 105% of the midpoint to allow for continued growth in the role over time.

Teaching Lab is an equal-opportunity employer committed to reflecting the diversity of the students we serve. We pursue equity as both a means and an end and enthusiastically welcome candidates of all backgrounds to apply for this role.

Who We Are

Teaching Lab is a nonprofit organization with a mission to fundamentally shift the paradigm of teacher professional learning to achieve educational equity. We envision a world where teachers and students thrive together in communities that enable life-long learning and meaningful lives. In partnership with teachers, we transform professional learning from the ground up to dramatically improve student outcomes. We also work with school, district, and state leaders to create the instructional systems necessary to support these changes. To learn more about Teaching Lab, explore our website at www.teachinglab.org .

Summary Of Position

The Director of Field Testing is responsible for establishing and executing our user-centered design strategy at Teaching Lab Studio. This individual will lead a team to deliver our user-centered design processes across Teaching Lab’s portfolio of tools and future research initiatives. Additionally, this role will interface with external partners (e.g., School Districts, Non-Profits, Research Centers, etc.) to deliver professional learning. The Director of Field Testing will leverage the internal networks of program teams, coaches, facilitators, and educators to ensure that our GenAI efforts are informed and accelerated by our relationships with educators.

Teaching Lab Studio is the AI research and product development department at Teaching Lab. At Teaching Lab Studio, our goal is to transform classroom instruction using cutting-edge technology. Our core activities include conducting R&D using Generative AI across a portfolio of tools and offering professional learning opportunities to educators across the country.

Duties And Responsibilities

• Primary responsibilities for the Director, Field Testing (Teaching Lab Studio) include:
• Oversee continuous improvement of Teaching Lab Studio’s research agenda and User-Centered Design (UCD) strategy
• Lead the formulation and implementation of Teaching Lab Studio’s research strategy to engage in user-centered design in all projects at Teaching Lab Studio including Teaching Lab AI, Podsie, and Writing Pathway.
• Champion and socialize UCD with all internal stakeholders, embedding a culture of user-centered design in the day-to-day work of the Studio (e.g., promoting user sessions where needed, always asking how what we’re doing is informed by teacher practice/feedback, etc.)
• Facilitate systems and structures
• Oversee the continuous development and management of our educator networks, including but not limited to:
• Teacher Advisory Board: Leverage usage of TAB as needed for user-centered research.
• Educator Partner Network (EPN): Leverage our network of 250+ educators for Studio activity when appropriate.
• Program Coaches and Facilitators: Collaborate with Teaching Lab Program team including Teaching Lab coaches to build capacity and gain insights.
• Streamline systems and structures for tapping into aforementioned educator networks: Build scalable processes for all members of the Studio to autonomously tap into educator networks when needed
• Collaborate closely with Program Team (Directors and Managers) and Operations Team to facilitate strong collaborations. Develop strong relationships with internal Teaching Lab team and ideate on new, impactful ways to bridge the gap between Teaching Lab’s core work and innovations coming out of Teaching Lab Studio
• Develop and Execute an Impact Measurement Agenda
• Research Strategy
• Develop frameworks that articulate how impact is measured and how product team should approach impact evaluation of their innovations
• Design the strategy for monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of Teaching Lab Studio’s portfolio of technology tools
• Serve as point-of-contact for multi-year evaluations and research projects that strengthen the Studio’s impact and fundraising efforts
• Project Management
• Project manage strategic research initiatives and learning sprints with external stakeholders
• Generate thought leadership and mentorship to help internal team internalize best practices on research and how to embed hypothesis-driven discipline into product development
• User-testing
• Tactically support day-to-day project execution of our product teams with special attention to R&D specific tasks and user testing. Professional development and learningRemain current on industry trends, research, and best practices in Generative AI and Education.Research and subscribe to relevant databases or services with evidence-based content on facilitation improvement. Represent Teaching Lab at conferences, workshops, and onsite meetings, engaging with educators, policymakers, and other stakeholders to promote our mission and service.
• Professional development and learning
• Remain current on industry trends, research, and best practices in Generative AI and Education.
• Research and subscribe to relevant databases or services with evidence-based content on facilitation improvement.
• Support the Teaching Lab CEO, Executive Team, and Teaching Lab Studio at conferences, workshops, and onsite meetings, engaging with educators, policymakers, and other stakeholders to promote our mission and service.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Chief Executive Officer, Managing Director, Teaching Lab Studio, and/or Executive Team.
  
  

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES AND KEY SUCCESS INDICATORS (KSI)

• The Director, Teaching Lab Studio is accountable for achieving goals set in collaboration with their manager, aligned with annual goals, and especially, Key Success Indicators (KSI). Below are examples of measured outcomes for Key Success Indicators (KSI). Additional information will be shared with candidates during the recruitment and selection process.
• Improve the Quality (Effectiveness, Usability) of tools and professional learning: Tools developed show evidence of impact and usage; professional learning such as training and coaching are consistently excellent.
• Increase Scale and Quality of Tools: Teaching Lab Studio tools responds to local needs, builds on assets, and supports educators to embrace an evidence-based and high-impact approach.
• Embed User-Centered Design into the DNA of Studio activity and, more broadly, Teaching Lab: Develop and refine internal operational structures and systems to enable all team members and contractors to incorporate UCD into their own workflows and build into the day-to-day operations of the organization.
• As applicable, within the role, model the radical commitments for our values.
  
  

Essential Qualifications

• Master’s degree in education or a related field
• Five to seven or more years successful experience developing or directing research projects related to education product development
• Three or more years of experience managing a team
• Experience using, implementing, and managing knowledge and research management platforms
• Experience linking development activities and to a research agenda
• Experience in user-centered design, including user-research, design thinking, customer discovery etc.
• Experience in project management and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring timely program milestones and objectives delivery
• Knowledge of evidence-based instructional design for virtual and in-person learning and adult learning practices
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Independent problem-solving and critical thinking
• Passionate for innovation while rooted in classroom realities and practice
• Exceptional leadership and project management capabilities
• Proficiency in Generative AI, skilled prompt engineering preferred
• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders
• A commitment to racial equity, inclusivity, and continuous personal and professional growth
  
  

Desired Qualifications

• Former educator or experience in K-12 public education
• Experience developing and providing professional learning, coaching support, and services in and for consultative organizations
  
  

Working Conditions And Requirements

• Ability to work a flexible schedule to support operational needs.
• Ability to perform the essential project, duties and responsibilities with or without accommodation.
• All team members are expected to support program/project needs which could mean that you play multiple roles at Teaching Lab (i.e., project lead, support, subject matter expert, etc.).
• Travel could be required for the role. Travel is determined based on business needs and can vary depending on partnership/contract requirements.
  
  

REVIEW DATE

• This position was made active on June 27, 2024 and will remain open until filled. All applications received between June 27, 2024 and July 10, 2024 will be reviewed by the hiring team. Any applications received after July 10, 2024 will be reviewed as needed.
  
  

TEACHING LAB’S VALUES AND COMPETENCIES

• Teaching Lab seeks to fundamentally shift the paradigm of teacher professional learning by reaching more educators every year with the highest impact programming.
  
  

Teaching Lab’s Ultimate Goals Are

• Educators learn more than they would without us
• Students learn more than they would without us, in a way that cannot be predicted by race, gender, or family income
• Educators we serve say they love our approach, and they want to keep doing it to advance educational equity
  
  

All employees are expected to embrace Teaching Lab Values, which are necessary to develop Teaching Lab Competencies, which help us to achieve our Ultimate Goals.

• Collaboration & Responsive Service
• Resilient Solution-Finding
• Research & Learning With Humility
• Accountable Excellence
• Equity & Justice
  
  

$106,000 - $160,335 a year

The full salary range for this position is $106,000 - $160,335 annually. There are two types of experience being considered for this role: Experience that is directly relevant to the role and Total Working Experience, in all fields. This includes: internships and consulting work. In collaboration with the hiring manager, the People and Culture team calculates experience based on the candidate’s most current resume. When calculating the offer, consideration is given to candidates that possess additional qualifications (i.e., desired qualifications). Teaching Lab will generally cap salaries for new employees at 105% of the midpoint to allow for continued growth in the role over time.

Application Terms & Conditions

I understand that any falsification or omission of information from this Employment Application can disqualify me from employment (includes rescinding an offer of employment or if hired, employment termination).

I understand that this Employment Application is not an offer of employment. If employed, employment is at will, and either party can terminate the employment relationship at any time.

I understand that if I am offered a conditional offer of employment, it would be contingent upon successful pre-work checks, which include references and verifications/checks for a social security number, education, employment, criminal records search (national and county), global watch list, and sex offender status. Depending on a specific partnership/contract requirement, the criminal background check process could include fingerprinting. At Teaching Lab’s discretion and with an individual’s signed consent, other checks could be completed based on the nature of the position. Moreover, I understand that Teaching Lab participates in a background monitoring service that provides updates for criminal records and sex offender status.

I understand that if I am offered and accept an offer of employment, I will be required to complete an Employment Eligibility Verification Form (I-9), and provide supporting documents within three days of my hire date. Non-compliance will result in termination of employment. Teaching Lab participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. If E-Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, Teaching Lab is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the issue before any action is taken against you, including terminating your employment. Teaching Lab can only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9. EVerify and Right to Work posters.

I understand that if I am offered and accept an offer of employment, if I have a need for an accommodation related to a disabling (medical) condition that the request must be communicated to People & Culture for review and approval. All requests will be considered as part of the Americans with Disabilities Interactive Process.

I understand that if I am offered and accept an offer of employment, Teaching Lab has an expectation to be the primary employer for all employees. Specifically, having another full-time employer in addition to full-time employment at Teaching Lab is not permitted, and no other employment or outside contracting relationship of any kind is permitted unless otherwise disclosed on the Outside Work Disclosure form and approved by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Employees who are found in violation of this expectation will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including separation from employment.

I understand that if I am offered and accept an offer of employment, I must undergo a 90 day introductory period. During this time, appropriateness for the role and performance are evaluated. At the end of the 90 day introductory period, Teaching Lab and/or the employee can end the employment relationship at will.

Teaching Lab has a payroll direct deposit program. I understand that if I am employed, I am not required to enroll in Teaching Lab’s payroll direct deposit program, and I would be paid via a paper check.

I understand that if I am employed, all work materials/resources that are provided by Teaching Lab are considered property of Teaching Lab, and are solely for the use of work for Teaching Lab.

I understand that if I am employed, I will be required to sign acknowledgment of receipt and abide by all policies and procedures, requirements, and expectations as outlined in the Employee Handbook.

In relation to the position that I am applying for, I voluntarily give Teaching Lab consent to make a thorough investigation of my background, and release from liability all parties in connection with the supply and use of such information.

The submission of my application serves as acknowledgment and agreement to the above terms and conditions.