Lead Curriculum Developer - STEM

Organization Summary

PBLWorks, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area (San Rafael, CA), is the industry leader in providing professional development and support services related to Project Based Learning (PBL). PBLWorks creates, collects, and shares high-quality PBL tools and resources with K-12 teachers and leaders across the country. At PBLWorks, we believe that all students — no matter where they live or what their background — to have access to quality PBL instruction to deepen their learning and achieve success in college, career, and life.

PBLWorks is poised for its next phase of growth, innovation, and impact. Our Strategic Plan 2024–2028 expands our focus from professional learning to support teachers in designing PBL units to the development of new products and redesigned services that enable all teachers to implement PBL by creating curriculum units that teachers can adapt and the creation of a digital platform that teachers can access from anywhere at any time. By combining TEACH, our award-winning digital curriculum, with high-quality professional services, we advance our mission to build the capacity of teachers and school systems to deliver high-quality Project Based Learning.

Position Summary

To continue creating and maintaining high-quality STEM curriculum materials and performance assessments, PBLWorks is hiring a Lead Curriculum Developer. Focused on secondary science and math materials, this role will design student- and teacher-facing resources, including unit outlines, assessments, lessons, handouts, slides, videos, and other digital assets, while maintaining consistency across all subject areas and grade bands.

In addition to leading the development of curriculum units (3–4 weeks of instruction across diverse topics), this role collaborates with colleagues to create or improve templates, guidance, and curriculum-embedded professional learning resources that strengthen teacher practice and student outcomes. The Lead Curriculum Developer also mentors and supports other curriculum developers and writers, providing training, coaching, and feedback aligned with PBLWorks’ Gold Standard frameworks and rubrics. The STEM Lead Curriculum Developer also advises on K-5 STEM development.

The Lead Developer will also serve as a point person for special projects and partnerships, as needed. In addition, this role will serve on the digital curriculum team’s leadership group.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Curriculum Development and Writing

1. Manage the writing and revision of multiple units simultaneously on ambitious timelines.
2. Create, revise, and maintain formative and summative student- and teacher-facing materials to ensure alignment, equity, and quality. This includes performance assessments, rubrics, and teacher guidance tools.
3. Conduct research to acquire assets for use in PBL curriculum unit materials.
4. Creatively and proficiently use AI tools to generate and refine STEM PBL unit concepts, outlines, and resources.
5. Connect with experts to advise and/or perform work for the organization.
6. Recruit, manage, and support contract writers and external experts as needed.
7. Provide synchronous coaching and timely written feedback to contract writers and staff curriculum developers.

Developer Support & Mentorship

1. Mentor and coach contract writers and staff curriculum developers with a collaborative, values-driven approach.
2. Develop and maintain documentation, templates, and style guidelines for curriculum development.
3. Ensure consistency across units and developers by using common frameworks and tools.
4. Design and deliver training to strengthen the quality and alignment of STEM curriculum units with Gold Standard PBL.
5. Provide support for writers in accessing texts, images, videos, and other assets to use in the project units.

Team Management and Development

1. Lead, mentor, and develop high-performance team members to meet the organization's goals by implementing clear performance management, coaching, and professional growth systems.
2. Motivate and lead with high care and expectations, creating a culture of accountability, collaboration, and shared problem-solving. When necessary, partner with Human Resources on talent development, succession planning, and employee relations with a high degree of expertise, tact, and sensitivity.
3. Guide and mentor team members, providing the necessary support, resources, and opportunities for professional growth. Promote a culture of continuous learning and improvement, ensuring the team can adapt to evolving strategic priorities.
4. Build and strengthen direct reports' professional, leadership, and managerial capacities and ensure they have access to training and professional growth opportunities.

Cross-functional collaboration

1. Lead special projects, including those with external partners, in STEM-specific needs or interests
2. Collaborate with the Educator Support Specialist, Digital Professional Learning Designer, and other curriculum developers to imagine and develop unit-specific and common professional learning resources (e.g., coaching videos, tutorials, pro-tips, classroom videos).
3. Support the piloting, testing, and refinement of curriculum resources
4. Ensure digital professional learning resources are accessible, engaging, and supportive of teachers at varying PBL experience levels
5. Collaborate with the Digital Professional Learning Manager to develop guidance for unit-specific and common curriculum-embedded professional learning resources, such as coaching videos, self-paced courses, pro-tips, and classroom videos.
6. Create and manage project plans for all assigned projects, meeting all stated deadlines and milestones. Coordinate work among team members and adjust tasks to align with organizational priorities.
7. Communicate clearly and effectively with team members and contractors about progress, deadlines, challenges, and solutions. At times, work with external partners and/or manage consultants/ contractors on specific projects.
8. Respond constructively to suggestions, feedback, and editing of your writing and curriculum development, and in turn, provide kind, specific, and helpful feedback to others on the team, including contract writers.
9. Assist with implementing curriculum pilots in partner school districts.
10. Assist in collecting and reviewing data from pilots to inform the development and revision of curriculum materials.
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Contribution to PBLWorks’ Mission, Vision, and Racial Equity Imperative

1. Work with other PBLWorks team members to further our mission, vision, core values, racial equity imperative, and strategic plan.
2. As a collaborative team player, support PBLWorks colleagues, and contribute to the full breadth of the organization’s work and culture.
3. Engage in ongoing individual and collective learning about how to advance racial equity through Project Based Learning for all students, especially Black and Brown students

Other duties as assigned.

Requirements, Skills, and Abilities

This role must believe in PBLWorks’ core values, be driven by our mission and vision, and share our commitment to advancing racial equity.

Specific requirements include:

1. Deep knowledge of:
2. Project Based Learning, preferably gained through first-hand experience as a STEM, Math, or Science PBL teacher, coach, or leader.
3. College and career-readiness literacy and STEM standards
4. Culturally relevant & responsive teaching practices and designing for equity
5. Common curricula used across the country.
6. Three or more years of experience developing STEM curriculum in a publishing setting as a developer, writer, and/or editor of materials across the K-12 grade bands, for use by a broad audience (beyond one’s own classroom or school).
7. Two or more years of experience designing performance and portfolio-based assessments, including tasks and rubrics aligned to Learning Goals, to develop STEM PBL units, and developing guidance for teachers implementing assessments.
8. Familiarity and experience developing and/or using AI tools to support the development of curriculum and related digital assets.
9. Prior experience as a STEM, Science, or Math classroom teacher required.
10. An advanced degree in curriculum development, curriculum, or learning technologies is preferred.
11. Familiarity with College Board Pre-AP and AP Science and/or Math courses preferred.
12. Experience with Career and Technical Education and Work-Based Learning preferred.
13. Ability to work effectively in virtual environments with staff and consultants.
14. Competent with Word, Excel, Google Apps, Asana, AI, and willing to learn additional technology tools adopted by the organization.

Additional requirements are:

1. Results-proven track record of exceeding goals and a bottom-line orientation; evidence of the ability to consistently make good decisions through analysis, wisdom, experience, and judgment; high level of business acumen; problem-solving, project management, and creative resourcefulness.
2. Impeccable integrity, clear communicator in writing and verbally.
3. Flexible and able to multitask; can work within an ambiguous, fast-moving environment while driving toward clarity and solutions; demonstrated resourcefulness in setting priorities and guiding investment in people and systems.
4. Action-oriented: enjoys working hard and looking for challenges; proactive; not afraid to take risks.

The successful candidate will possess these skills and abilities:

1. Ability to thrive in a collaborative, mission-driven, and diverse environment.
2. Strong analytical skills and sound business judgment.
3. Excellent listening skills and the ability to surface underlying needs and constraints.
4. Outstanding verbal and written communication skills.
5. Exceptional organizational skills, with a strong emphasis on accuracy, accountability, and follow-through.
6. Excellent time management and prioritization skills in a fast-moving, ambiguous environment.
7. Data-driven problem-solving abilities and comfort using insights to guide strategy.
8. A proactive, self-directed approach with strong ownership and initiative.
9. Curiosity, coachability, and openness to feedback and continuous improvement.
10. Resilience and persistence, with the ability to manage rejection and sustain momentum.

The successful candidate will reflect these attributes:

1. Deeply mission-aligned, with a genuine commitment to improving teaching and learning through Project Based Learning.
2. Guided by integrity, transparency, and clear communication.
3. Passionate about advancing equity in education and serving diverse school communities.
4. Able to build trust quickly and maintain credibility with all employees.
5. A collaborative team player who contributes positively within a collegial, high-expectations environment.
6. Equity-minded, with respect for and responsiveness to the needs of diverse educators and students.

Reporting Relationships

1. The Lead Curriculum Developer works closely with colleagues across the organization and reports directly to the Managing Director of Digital Curriculum.
2. This role oversees a team of 1 to 4 direct reports.

Location

1. This position is remote and may be based anywhere within the U.S. Occasional travel may be required for team meetings and events (~3-5 times per year).

Compensation & Benefits

1. This full-time, exempt role offers full health benefits (including medical, dental, and vision), a 403b, and life and disability insurance. PBLWorks offers competitive pay (commensurate with experience) and a generous benefits package.
2. The pay range for this position is $118,000 - $121,000

Additional Requirements

PBLWorks participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. We will only use E-Verify once a newly hired employee has accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9.

As a company, we celebrate and embrace diversity. We actively seek a diverse pool of candidates in every hiring process. Buck Institute for Education is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, veteran status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, or disability (in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act).

How to apply

Please submit a resume and cover letter outlining your unique qualifications for the role.

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