Director of Education, StageWise Parenting

Cradle Society•Evanston, IL

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director of Education, StageWise Parenting (SWP), reports to the President & CEO and provides strategic and operational leadership for The Cradle’s online education platform. The role supports The Cradle’s transformation into a more inclusive human services organization serving families inside and outside the context of adoption. The Director is responsible for expanding the reach, relevance, and impact of online education, positioning SWP as a trusted and accessible resource for parents, families, professionals, and organizations serving children and families, with particular attention to parents-to-be and newer parents from under-resourced communities. The Director leads the development and implementation of an online education strategy, manages the StageWise Parenting Team of two staff, oversees educational products and curriculum, builds partnerships, and collaborates across The Cradle. The role also oversees annual planning and budgeting, evaluation and metrics, digital learning platforms, and the development of financially sustainable and accessible offerings. The Director represents The Cradle and SWP externally and works with Marketing, Community Engagement, Development, and organizational leadership to integrate online education with broader services and initiatives.

Requirements

At least 7 years of progressive experience in education, program development, curriculum development, business development, or a related field.
Experience with online learning platforms, digital education, or educational technology.
Experience managing teams and collaborating across an organization, including leadership experience in a nonprofit or mission-driven organization.
Demonstrated success developing and implementing strategy for an education- or training-oriented program or organization.
Experience translating expertise into compelling educational programming, products, or services.
Ability to understand audiences and markets and use insights to inform program strategy and development.
Experience overseeing curriculum or educational content development.
Demonstrated success building and maintaining strategic partnerships and external relationships.
Entrepreneurial orientation and ability to identify opportunities, test ideas, learn from results, and adapt.
Strong understanding of program development, implementation, evaluation, and continuous quality improvement.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Ability to think strategically while managing the details needed to advance complex projects.
Record of collaboration and belief that collaboration deepens impact.
Commitment to The Cradle’s vision, mission, values, and strategic direction.
Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion within The Cradle and in external relationships.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
Proficiency in CRM platforms.
Ability to meet DCFS requirements, including background check, fingerprinting, and medical exam.
Valid driver’s license, insured personal vehicle for multiple-site travel, and clean driving record.
Ability to meet the position’s physical requirements, with reasonable accommodation where needed.

Nice To Haves

Hands-on instructional design experience and experience with content development tools.
Experience developing or growing an educational program, service, or brand in a new market.
Video production and editing experience.
Experience with HubSpot.
Experience in parenting education, child welfare, adoption, early childhood, family services, or a related field.
Experience developing curriculum for an audience similar to SWP’s core audience.

Responsibilities

Lead and implement a comprehensive online education strategy aligned with The Cradle’s mission and strategic direction.
Manage the day-to-day operations of the StageWise Parenting Team, consisting of two staff members.
Position SWP as a trusted source of education for parents, professionals, and organizations serving children and families.
Expand SWP’s reach beyond its historical adoption audience while drawing on The Cradle’s expertise in adoption, child development, and child and family well-being.
Identify audience needs, market opportunities, audience segments, and unmet needs that can inform new offerings, partnerships, and delivery models.
Develop and maintain an annual plan with goals, priorities, success measures, and resource recommendations.
Evaluate existing educational offerings and recommend opportunities to expand, modify, discontinue, or develop them.
Develop pricing, packaging, and other approaches that support accessibility, participation, and financial sustainability.
Establish and monitor metrics for educational reach, participation, engagement, satisfaction, and impact.
Build and manage an annual departmental budget.
Oversee the learning management system vendor relationship and ensure digital platforms support education goals.
Oversee the development, maintenance, and continuous improvement of courses, webinars, and resources.
Set curriculum development priorities based on audience needs, organizational expertise, market opportunities, and strategic priorities.
Ensure educational content is current, evidence-informed, accessible, culturally responsive, practical, and aligned with The Cradle’s mission and values.
Establish processes to review curriculum quality, relevance, effectiveness, and participant experience.
Translate The Cradle’s clinical, educational, and child and family expertise into courses, resources, thought leadership, and scalable educational products.
Monitor developments in parenting education, child welfare, adoption, early childhood, family services, and related fields for opportunities for partnerships, growth, and new content.
Identify, cultivate, and maintain partnerships with community-based organizations, healthcare providers, social service organizations, educational and professional organizations, and government agencies.
Represent The Cradle and SWP in external meetings, conferences, professional networks, and other forums.
Collaborate with Marketing and Community Engagement colleagues to position, promote, and communicate educational offerings to priority audiences.
Work with Development colleagues to identify and pursue philanthropic support for online education initiatives.
Provide leadership, supervision, coaching, and professional development for the StageWise Parenting Team.
Foster a collaborative, creative, accountable, and learning-oriented team culture.
Collaborate with the CEO, Leadership Team, and other departments to integrate SWP with The Cradle’s broader services, communications, fundraising, and community engagement efforts.
Travel between sites as required and drive as an essential function of the position.