Associate Director, Product, Strategic Initiatives

A pioneer in K–12 education since 2000, Amplify is leading the way in next-generation curriculum and assessment. Our core and supplemental programs in ELA, math, and science engage all students in rigorous learning and inspire them to think deeply, creatively, and for themselves. Our formative assessment products help teachers identify the targeted instruction students need to build a strong foundation in early reading and math. All of our programs provide educators with powerful tools that help them understand and respond to the needs of every student. Today, Amplify serves more than 10 million students in all 50 states. For more information, visit amplify.com.

Job Description: 

The Associate Director, Product in the rotational Strategic Initiatives Program will work in a centralized capacity reporting to the VP, Product, Development & Portfolio Strategy, and flexibly support key initiatives across the Literacy, Science, Math, Platform or Launch departments. These initiatives may include spearheading critical product development initiatives, developing in-depth market analyses, and most critically, working on a rotational basis to provide coverage for key product leaders during periods of absence (family leave, etc). The centralized vantage point of this role will build a deep understanding of business dynamics and development workflows across diverse product lines within the Product Org, strong integration with cross-functional leaders across the organization, and a commitment to consistency and best practices in line with Amplify’s portfolio strategy and increased scale. Essentially, candidates in this program will hone and develop a range of skills, build deep institutional knowledge, and identify areas of interest for future product placement.

The Associate Director is also responsible for supporting the Product, Development & Portfolio Strategy team in defining and executing on Amplify’s product development roadmap and strategy, leading change management with cross-functional teams, driving towards informed, consistent RAPID decision-making across product lines, and establishing strong communication, context and visibility across the org, as capacity permits. 

The ideal candidate is organized, curious about all aspects of product development across a range of subject areas, energetic, resourceful, and hyper-detailed. They have strong critical thinking and analytical skills, a deep understanding of product management and strategy best practices, and are able to roll up their sleeves to get things done with a bias to action. They excel in communication and interpersonal skills, and are able to work effectively with cross-functional partners and stakeholders to drive key initiatives forward. The ideal candidate has a background in K-12 education products and a deep understanding of the core curriculum market.

Essential Responsibilities:

Lead strategic initiatives in product on a rotational basis

• Work flexibly on a rotational basis with the Literacy, Math, Science, Platform or Launch departments to provide coverage for key product leads or drive unplanned initiatives forward when external market forces inevitably shift.

• Spearhead critical commercial development or adoption activities for the Product Org aligned to major areas of investment mapped out in the enterprise-wide product roadmap; provide strategic support on individual initiatives to product teams during critical product development decision making.

• Build a 40,000 ft view of the business by navigating the details of development workflows and downstream launch activities for individual products or suites while on rotation, and ensure that all activities are calibrated towards a broader goal of running a sustainable, scalable business (e.g., partner with other teams such as Platform to support with tactics or quarterly planning).

• Develop a deep understanding of individual products across the organization through the cross-team lens of this program and identify gaps/areas of enhancement that require solutioning. 

Drive cross-product alignment, workflows, and decisions as capacity permits

• Support the Product, Development & Portfolio Strategy team in developing stronger operational and communication architectures. Work to establish consistency in development and best practices across the various teams powering the Product Org, such as rolling out a new retirement architecture with key defined milestones on an annual basis.

• Develop a strong sphere of influence and drive towards cross-product consistency to ensure that the experience and interactions of partner teams feels cohesive across different product teams.

• Build data-driven recommendations that inform key decisions and tradeoffs induced by market shifts, competitive analysis, etc to drive decision-making forward.

• Maintain a clear picture of external forces impacting the product portfolio, in part through a close collaboration with corporate strategy and in part through staying on top of trends from internal and external research. 

Minimum Qualifications:

• BA/BS or equivalent experience

• 5+ years of experience in K-12 educational product development

• Experience designing and developing print and digital products for education

• Proven research and analysis skills

• Strong organizational skills and great attention to detail

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

• Strong analytical and creative problem-solving skills

• Strong teamwork and interpersonal skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree

• Background in education or related field

• Background in technology, design, and user experience

• Classroom teaching experience at the elementary, middle, or high school level

What we offer:
Salary is only one component of the Amplify Total Rewards package, which includes a 401(k) plan, competitive health insurance and mental health options, basic life insurance, paid time off, parental leave, and access to best-in-class development programs. The gross annualized salary range for this role is $130,000 - $140,000. This role is eligible to receive an annual discretionary bonus that rewards individual and company performance.

We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. To that end, we seek to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool. 

Amplify is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We take affirmative action to ensure equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. 

This position may be funded, in whole or in part, through American Recovery & Reinvestment Act funds.

Amplify Education, Inc. is an E-Verify participant.

If selected, a background check will be required. As required by state and local laws and district policies, you may also be required to provide additional documentation, such as proof of vaccination or submit to enhanced background screening, including fingerprints.