Job DescriptionAbout the RoleThe Center for STEM Professional Learning at Scale is a research-informed innovation hub within BU Wheelock. The Center advances convergence education by connecting science learning to real-world questions, engaging educators as co-designers of innovation, and helping young people build the agency to shape their communities and futures.
The Center operates three interconnected platforms: NGSS Phenomena, a national innovation and discovery space with more than 5.3 million views across 100+ countries; NGSX, the Center's flagship professional learning system, which has reached more than 17,000 educators across 29 states through a network of 400+ trained facilitators; and Project Resilience, which connects this work to durable outcomes for learners and communities. Together, these platforms create a continuous cycle of discovery, capacity-building, and impact, moving ideas from research into practice and from practice back into the field.
The Director of Programs directs program development, coordination, and implementation across the Center's initiatives, while supporting partnership and proposal development in collaboration with the Center Director. This position will organize program activities, engage the facilitator network, coordinate partner-facing work, assist with proposal development, and develop tools and processes that strengthen the Center's operations and external projects.
Position Logistics This is a full-time, 40 hours per week position with access to the University's comprehensive benefits plan. This position is expected to be remote, though occasional travel may be required for partner meetings, facilitator network activities, conferences, and other Center-related needs.
This is a one-year, term-limited position with the possibility of extension based on performance, ongoing institutional need, and available funding.
Essential FunctionsThis job description and the essential functions listed below are intended to provide a general overview of the role, and are not a comprehensive list of day-to-day tasks.
Partnership Support (40%)
- In collaboration with the Center Director, manage partnership development activities, including preparing materials, coordinating meetings, documenting follow-up, and maintaining the partnership pipeline.
- Assist the Center Director with cultivation and coordination of institutional, nonprofit, industry, funder, school/district, and research partnerships that support Center initiatives.
- Prepare partner-facing materials, including presentations, scopes of work, concept notes, briefing documents, summaries, and implementation plans.
- Oversee contracted-service, sponsored-project, grant-funded, and philanthropic opportunity development by coordinating timelines, drafting materials, gathering inputs, and working with appropriate BU offices.
Facilitator Network Coordination (25%)
- Implement strategies to activate and engage the Center's 400+ member NGSX facilitator network as a professional learning community.
- Coordinate facilitator network activities, including communications, meeting logistics, participation tracking, scheduling, materials, and follow-up.
- Oversee facilitator-led initiatives by coordinating timelines, deliverables, materials, communications, and documentation.
- Maintain quality standards, procedures, templates, and support tools for facilitator-delivered programming.
- Gather facilitator feedback and track engagement, retention, geographic reach, programming activity, and participation data.
Program Implementation and Resource Development (35%)
- Coordinate planning and implementation of Center initiatives across NGSS Phenomena, NGSX, Project Resilience, and related professional learning or AI-enabled teaching tool projects.
- Translate Center priorities into project plans, timelines, deliverables, workflows, and implementation supports in collaboration with the Center Director.
- Help develop professional learning pathways, educator-facing resources, partner-facing materials, and implementation tools based on research findings and field implementation learning.
- Coordinate across Center staff, BU Wheelock colleagues, affiliated faculty, facilitators, consultants, and external partners to support timely completion of project activities.
- Track project progress, gather feedback, maintain documentation, identify implementation needs or risks, and prepare updates for the Center Director.
Required SkillsMinimum Qualifications:- Bachelor's degree in education, a science discipline, or a related field.
- Three to five years of relevant experience in program coordination, project management, education programs, professional learning, nonprofit administration, higher education, or a related setting.
Preferred Qualifications:- Master's degree in education or a related field.
- Experience in K-12 education, STEM education, teacher professional learning, curriculum implementation, or education-focused nonprofit work.
- Experience supporting grant, sponsored-project, or proposal development processes.
- Experience coordinating external partnerships, school or district relationships, facilitator networks, communities of practice, or professional learning programs.
- Experience working in a university, research center, grant-funded program, or externally funded project environment.
Compensation: The salary range for this position is $85,000 to $90,000 annually. This range is based on factors such as experience, qualifications, and the overall scope of the role. Please note that the final salary offered may vary depending on these factors.
Confidential Data: All information (written, verbal, electronic, etc.) that an employee encounters while working at Boston University is considered confidential. Employees must adhere to University and departmental policies, guidelines and procedures; and all applicable laws and regulations at all times.
