Director of Strategic Projects

The purpose of Zearn

Zearn is the nonprofit educational organization whose mission is to inspire all kids to love learning math. Everything we do is driven by our belief that every kid is a math kid.

Our top-rated learning platform is designed to catch kids up and move them forward in grade-level math. And it works. Large-scale efficacy research shows students who use Zearn make significant gains in math proficiency, including the students who start multiple grade levels behind.

The vital importance of learning math today is hard to understate, and yet today, it is common to think that only some are born to achieve in math. Math learning is often disparaged and feared (e.g. I'd rather go to the dentist than do algebra) or viewed as a special interest or luxury (e.g. if kids don't have a passion for math that is okay, maybe they have a passion for pottery). We don't look at learning to read the same way. Zearn exists to help create a world where all children love learning math. 

As a nonprofit, all of our work is driven by what is best for kids. At the same time, we operate as an intense and fast-moving technology company, inclusively solving hard problems that will impact current and future generations. The problems we solve require expertise in pedagogy, software development, persuasion, psychology, design, writing, video production, problem solving, and countless other disciplines. As an organization that is always stretching to get to the next level of impact, every single person owns mission critical work. If you’re ready to join our Team of problem solvers, and own work that will drive us to achieve impact at scale, we are looking for you.

Learn more about us at https://about.zearn.org/.

Zearn is seeking a high-impact strategic leader to partner with the VP of Strategy and the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) at a pivotal phase of growth, driving initiatives that will scale Zearn’s implementation and user engagement to achieve measurable impact on math achievement. As the Director of Strategic Projects, you will collaborate closely with the CEO and ELT to lead high-visibility, transformative projects, refine core operational processes, and scale key experiments that shape the future of education. This role is ideal for a candidate with a top-tier management consulting background looking to transition into a dynamic operating leadership role, where your expertise will directly influence Zearn's strategic direction and growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and lead high-priority experiments to drive deeper implementation and impact of Zearn
• Evaluate and codify existing implementation processes and deployment models (e.g., training and coaching)
• Define shortlist of high-potential experiments that could inflect implementation beyond experience to date 
• Work closely with partnerships, academic and product teams to support the delivery and intervention to partners
• Reflect and evaluate the experiments to determine continued areas of improvement
• Lead experiments that don’t naturally fit into a function until proven
• Play a leading role in Zearn’s strategic planning process, helping to set in-year goals, initiatives, and target metrics across teams
• Partner with VP of Strategy to finalize 10-year strategic vision and develop communication plan for Board, Funders, and full Zearn team
• Drive annual strategic planning process to build multi-year and annual operating plans (e.g., linking product and GTM roadmaps) 
• Translate internal operating plans to external facing multi-year business plans that will be used to pitch and engage funders
• Define and manage cross-functional initiatives that support Zearn’s long-term and in-year strategic priorities (as output from annual planning process). Example projects include:
• Leading initiative to understand and build org-wide AI capabilities 
• Partnering with third party research organizations to develop a robust fact base on how Zearn is being implemented across classrooms today 
• Leading GTM initiatives for top-priority markets  
• Drive continuous improvement of how Zearn operates as a business by identifying opportunity areas and working with relevant teams/stakeholders to address them. Example projects may include: 
• Refining company and function-specific key metrics dashboards
• Designing and rolling out refreshed executive leadership team/key initiative meeting process 
• Designing company-wide communication cascade, e.g., all-hand meetings/updates 

The Next Problems for this Role to Solve

• How can we identify and implement high-potential experiments that significantly improve implementation?
• How can we effectively communicate our strategic vision to stakeholders?
• What are the key metrics that will drive our strategic planning process?
• What communication strategies will enhance organizational alignment?

The Skills You Will Use in this Role

To achieve immediate impact in this role, The Director of Strategic Projects should possess a strong foundation in these skills, along with a genuine passion for continuous growth and development through coaching and hands-on learning.

• Data Analysis Expertise: You excel at leveraging statistical and numerical analyses to uncover insights that drive key decisions. With a strong focus on data integrity, you ensure accurate, reliable analysis that informs strategic priorities.
• Communication Mastery: You craft clear, compelling narratives that translate complex insights into actionable, data-driven stories. Whether in reports, presentations, or visuals, you communicate effectively to influence decisions and drive action.
• Strategy & Execution: You have a track record of developing and executing complex actionable plans that align with organizational goals. With a proven ability to drive high-priority projects to completion, you manage multiple initiatives simultaneously, ensuring measurable impact and organizational alignment.
• Change Management: You have experience guiding teams through transitions, helping them adapt to new challenges and drive lasting improvements. Skilled at gaining buy-in and navigating complex dynamics, you ensure successful implementation while keeping teams engaged and aligned.

Potential Markers of these Skills

• 5+ years of experience at a top-tier management consulting firm, preferably with experience in education or nonprofit contexts
• Proven track record of managing multiple complex workstreams with autonomy
• Experience leading teams and providing coaching and feedback

Location

This role is remote and can performed in any of the following states:  

CA, CT, FL, IL, LA, MA, NC, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, TN, TX, VA, WA, WI and Washington D.C.  

Compensation and Benefits

The compensation range for this role is $135,000-$185,000 per year. We offer a competitive benefits package, including comprehensive medical, dental and vision plans, short- and long-term disability, life insurance, 401K matching, parental leave, a generous Holiday policy and a flexible PTO policy. We also offer a collegial and passionate culture and the potential to positively impact the lives of millions of children.

TO APPLY: https://apply.workable.com/j/598894B0AC

Zearn is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.