Lead, Reviews (Early Literacy & Foundational Skills) - EdReports.org

The Lead, Reviews will oversee and support the review of instructional materials in early literacy and foundational skills, ensuring evidence-rich, aligned reviews that meet educator and curriculum decision-maker needs.

Purpose of Position

The role focuses on applying deep expertise in the Science of Reading, evidence-based foundational skills instruction, standards, learning progressions, and research-supported practices to review instructional materials. The Lead will balance detailed review work with broader content leadership, partnering across EdReports to strengthen review tools, inform strategic initiatives, and ensure alignment with current research and educator needs.

Key Responsibilities & Outcomes

Responsibilities:

• Lead and support reviews of early literacy and foundational skills instructional materials, ensuring alignment to relevant standards, current research, and EdReports’ high-quality, evidence-based criteria.
• Apply deep expertise in early literacy, foundational skills, the Science of Reading, learning progressions, and research-supported instructional practices to support accurate analysis of instructional materials.
• Train and support educator-reviewers, ensuring consistent calibration across teams to produce reliable, evidence-rich reviews meeting EdReports’ quality benchmarks.
• Collaborate across content teams to update and refine content-specific review tools and processes based on research, feedback, and evolving educational trends.
• Provide expert guidance and coaching to review teams, helping them navigate the review process and fostering consensus on key educational criteria.
• Exercise independent judgment on complex content and review questions, resolving issues within established review standards and elevating decisions with broader strategic implications.
• Engage with external stakeholders, including publishers, to communicate the review process.
• Serve as a thought leader in the ecosystem, explaining EdReports’ review results to educators, districts, states, and partner nonprofits.
• Serve as an early literacy subject matter expert across EdReports, partnering cross-functionally to inform organizational projects and initiatives.
• Other relevant duties as assigned to support strategic goals.

Outcomes:

• Successfully contribute to the completion of reviews in line with 2026 goals and KPIs.
• Achieve 100% alignment in calibration checks across review teams by the end of each review cycle.
• Implement three process improvements annually, reducing review cycle times while maintaining or increasing review quality.
• Ensure 100% of reviewers complete required training and demonstrate proficiency.
• Engage with the Brand Office for thought leadership initiatives, applying for and presenting at key events, and supporting partner organizations.
• Collaborate with colleagues on cross-functional strategic and operational initiatives.

Travel

National travel may occur for organizational needs and professional learning, with monitored frequency to ensure appropriateness.

Qualifications

Required:

• Passion for EdReports’ mission, core values, and commitment to Diversity, Belonging, Inclusion, and Equity.
• At least seven years of relevant professional experience in curriculum design, instruction, coaching, research, assessment, or program leadership, with deep expertise in College and Career Ready Standards, ELA instructional shifts, early literacy, and the Science of Reading.
• Understanding of the K-12 ELA education political and policy landscape.
• Ability to analyze complex instructional materials and synthesize evidence into clear, actionable recommendations.
• Demonstrated ability to independently lead complex initiatives and influence cross-functional stakeholders.
• Demonstrated skill in facilitating adult learning, coaching educators, and building alignment across diverse groups.
• Exceptional written and spoken communication skills and interpersonal skills.
• Fluency in Google Suite and MS Office suite (Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.
• Residency in and authorization to work in the United States.

Preferred:

• Additional expertise in support of Multilingual Learners or Special Populations.
• K-12 classroom and coaching experience.
• Strong communication and public speaking skills, with experience in thought leadership and external engagement.
• Systems experience with Adobe Creative Suite, Salesforce, Canvas, and online learning management platforms.
• Master’s degree.