Instructional Strategy & Design Specialist – Remote K‑12 Curriculum Innovation Leader for Discovery Education Experience

Why Join Discovery Education?

At Discovery Education, we are on a bold mission: empowering the next generation of learners through immersive, technology‑driven experiences that connect classrooms to the real world. With a global footprint that reaches more than 4.5 million educators and 45 million students across 140 countries, we are reshaping how teachers teach and how students learn. Our award‑winning platform, the Discovery Education Experience, is a living ecosystem of digital content, interactive tools, and data‑informed insights that spark curiosity, deepen understanding, and drive measurable achievement.

Our success is built on the passion, expertise, and collaborative spirit of our people. As a remote‑first organization, we provide a state‑of‑the‑art virtual workspace that balances flexibility with high‑impact teamwork. Whether you are a seasoned instructional designer, a curriculum strategist, or a project‑management virtuoso, you will find purpose, growth, and recognition at Discovery Education.

Position Overview

We are seeking a Remote Instructional Strategy & Design Specialist who will serve as the intellectual catalyst behind the multi‑faceted instructional value of the Discovery Education Experience. In this role, you will own end‑to‑end initiatives that blend curriculum expertise, instructional design best practices, and rigorous project management to deliver high‑quality resources for educators and students in grades 6‑8. You will partner closely with product managers, marketing strategists, sales leaders, and senior executives to ensure that every learning asset is aligned with standards, data‑driven insights, and the evolving needs of our global community.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Project Leadership

• Lead complex, cross‑functional projects from conception through launch, ensuring on‑time delivery, budget adherence, and alignment with strategic goals.
• Develop and refine flexible instructional models that can be adapted across multiple grade bands, subject areas, and cultural contexts.
• Curate and synthesize data from usage analytics, market research, and direct customer feedback to inform product roadmaps and content priorities.
• Facilitate agile sprint planning, risk assessments, and milestone reviews with internal stakeholders.

Curriculum Design & Development

• Design, prototype, and iterate lesson plans, activities, and multimedia assets within the Discovery Education (DE) Studio platform.
• Conduct rigorous analyses of national and state standards, curriculum frameworks, and emerging pedagogical trends to ensure alignment and relevance.
• Manage the full lifecycle of design files, including version control, metadata tagging, and quality‑assurance testing.
• Host collaborative review sessions with subject‑matter experts, teachers, and designers to gather feedback and drive continuous improvement.

Cross‑Functional Collaboration & Influence

• Serve as the primary liaison between the instructional design team and product marketing, sales, research & analytics, and user experience groups.
• Present instructional strategies and project updates to senior leadership, executive sponsors, and key customers, translating technical insights into actionable business outcomes.
• Respond to emerging trends in K‑12 education, providing thought‑leadership on best practices, equity‑focused design, and technology integration.
• Negotiate stakeholder priorities, reconcile divergent viewpoints, and champion data‑informed decision‑making across the organization.

Thought Leadership & Continuous Improvement

• Identify, articulate, and prototype innovative instructional opportunities that leverage emerging ed‑tech tools (e.g., AI‑enhanced assessments, immersive AR/VR experiences).
• Develop and disseminate best‑practice guides, templates, and playbooks that empower educators to maximize the Discovery Education Experience.
• Lead professional‑development workshops and webinars for internal teams and external educators, fostering a culture of lifelong learning.

Essential Qualifications

• Minimum three (3) years of experience in K‑12 education, including roles such as classroom teaching, curriculum development, instructional design, or educational consulting.
• Demonstrated expertise in designing curriculum that aligns with Common Core, NGSS, or other state standards for middle‑school grades (6‑8).
• Proven track record of managing complex, multi‑stakeholder projects with measurable outcomes.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling narratives for diverse audiences.
• Strong interpersonal skills, capable of building trust and influencing senior leaders, partners, and educators.
• Legal right to work in the United States and ability to travel 5‑10% of the time for conferences, team‑building events, and stakeholder meetings.

Preferred Experience & Credentials

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Instructional Design, Educational Technology, or a related field (Master’s degree highly advantageous).
• Professional certification in Instructional Design (e.g., ATD, CIW) or Project Management (e.g., PMP, Agile Scrum Master).
• Hands‑on experience with authoring tools such as DE Studio, Articulate Storyline, Adobe Captivate, or similar platforms.
• Familiarity with learning analytics dashboards and the ability to translate data insights into instructional enhancements.
• Experience working in a remote or distributed team environment, demonstrating self‑discipline, proactive communication, and virtual collaboration proficiency.

Core Competencies for Success

• Project Management Excellence: Ability to juggle multiple timelines, resources, and deliverables while maintaining high quality and stakeholder satisfaction.
• Curriculum Design Mastery: Deep understanding of pedagogical frameworks, standards alignment, and differentiated instruction.
• Creative Problem Solving: Innovative mindset that leverages data, research, and emerging tech to address instructional challenges.
• Strategic Communication: Storytelling ability that makes complex concepts accessible and compelling to educators, executives, and partners.
• Collaboration & Influence: Skilled at building consensus, navigating political dynamics, and driving cross‑functional initiatives forward.

Career Growth & Learning Opportunities

Discovery Education is committed to investing in your professional journey. As an Instructional Strategy & Design Specialist, you will have access to:

• Mentorship Programs: Pairing with senior instructional leaders to accelerate skill development and career advancement.
• Continuing Education & Tuition Reimbursement: Support for graduate courses, industry certifications, and conferences.
• Cross‑Functional Rotations: Opportunities to work temporarily with product management, data analytics, or sales teams to broaden your expertise.
• Leadership Pathways: Clear promotion tracks toward Senior Specialist, Instructional Design Manager, or Director of Curriculum Strategy.
• Innovation Labs: Participation in pilot projects exploring AI, VR, and adaptive learning technologies.

Work Environment & Culture

Our remote‑first culture blends autonomy with community:

• Flexible Work Hours: Choose the schedule that best supports your personal productivity and life balance.
• Inclusive Collaboration: Regular virtual “coffee chats,” team‑building retreats, and digital white‑board sessions keep us connected.
• Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: We celebrate the rich tapestry of perspectives that reflect the students and educators we serve worldwide.
• Well‑Being Benefits: Comprehensive health coverage, mental‑health resources, and generous paid time off—including 12 weeks of parental leave, 7 recognized holidays, and a winter break.
• Recognition & Rewards: Performance bonuses, employee‑spotlight programs, and a culture of celebrating wins, big and small.

Compensation, Perks & Benefits

We offer a competitive salary package aligned with the market for senior instructional design professionals, complemented by a robust benefits suite:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance with generous employer contributions.
• Retirement savings plan with company match.
• Life and disability insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for confidential counseling and support.
• Wellness stipend for home‑office ergonomics, fitness, or mindfulness apps.
• Company‑wide stock‑options or equity participation (where applicable).
• Annual learning allowance for courses, certifications, or conferences.
• Paid volunteer days to give back to your community.

How to Apply

If you are ready to shape the future of K‑12 learning, inspire educators worldwide, and grow your career in a purpose‑driven organization, we want to hear from you. Click the Apply Now button below to submit your resume, cover letter, and a portfolio of instructional design work (if available).

Apply To This Job

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

Discovery Education proudly embraces diversity and is an equal‑opportunity employer. We are dedicated to building a workforce that reflects the vibrant, multicultural communities we serve. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability, or any other protected characteristic.

We Encourage You to Apply!

Even if you don’t meet every single requirement, we value enthusiasm, curiosity, and a growth mindset. If you believe you can contribute to our mission, please apply – we’re excited to explore the possibilities together.