Director of Market Innovation

Portage Learning Careers•Beaver Falls, PA

8d•Onsite

About The Position

Job Title: Director of Market Innovation Date: 01/08/2026 Reports to: President Department: Program and Institutional Engagement Status: Exempt - Professionals General Summary: The mission of Portage Learning is to transform lives and communities by providing learning opportunities for all who aspire to thrive. We do this not only through superior online instruction, but with a deep commitment to expanding access to education. We believe service is the thread that binds our community and our team together. To that end, we choose to … Believe the best in our employees Invest in our people Collaborate with humility, respect, and appreciation Cultivate curiosity and encourage creativity. Help us be a part of one million stories. Build what’s next. At Portage, we’ve already empowered thousands of students with high-quality, affordable online college-level courses. But that’s just the beginning. Our bold goal is to impact one million stories over the next decade, and to do that, we need to break into new markets, serve new audiences, and deliver new kinds of educational experiences. We’re looking for a mission-driven intrapreneur—a builder, not a box-checker—to lead the charge into what’s next. This isn’t just a job—it’s a runway. As Director of Market Development & Innovation, you’ll have the freedom and responsibility to research, design, pilot, and scale new market opportunities. Whether it’s expanding to adult learners, launching new courses for specific student audiences, or unlocking regional growth through new partnerships, you’ll take ideas from whiteboard to real-world impact. We have: A track record of delivering high-quality, online college-level learning Strong academic credibility and in-house instructional design A tech platform that’s ready to scale Self-funding and operational flexibility Leadership who are invested in bold, mission-aligned innovation A culture that values experimentation, agility, and impact You’ll bring: A builder’s mindset A track record of launching and scaling new products or services The ability to navigate ambiguity and lead through influence, not just authority A heart for learners and a head for market strategy This role is for someone who wants to build something that matters. If you're looking to create—not just manage —we want to hear from you.

Requirements

A collaborative operator who builds momentum across diverse teams
Strong analytical chops and comfort with ambiguity
Deep empathy for learners and passion for mission-driven impact
Experience in adult or non-traditional education markets
Familiarity with LMS platforms, course design, or learning analytics
Executes innovative strategies across multiple initiatives, pivoting quickly when needed.
Knowledge of higher ed accreditation, quality assurance, or compliance
Bachelor's Degree in Marketing, Entrepreneurship or related field required.
8+ years in business development, innovation, strategy, or product leadership required.
Demonstrated ability to launch new programs, products, or services—ideally in edtech, higher ed, or adult learning
Successful completion of a background check and current and/or ability to obtain the following clearances: Child Abuse, State Police, and FBI Fingerprinting.
Demonstrated agreement with and vision for the stated mission, vision, philosophy, values, and goals of Portage Learning.

Responsibilities

Discover & Prioritize New Markets Conduct research to identify high-potential learner segments (e.g., adult learners, corporate upskilling, international partnerships)
Evaluate market gaps that could be met with our current course portfolio—or inspire new course development
Analyze enrollment trends, workforce data, and competitor activity to guide decisions
Build business cases with clear ROI, impact potential, and strategic alignment
Pilot & Launch New Initiatives Develop and test new program models, partnerships, or distribution channels
Act as the founding GM of new initiatives—launch fast, learn fast
Lead cross-functional teams through pilot phases
Determine when and how to integrate successful pilots into our core operations or spin off as new divisions
Build Strategic Relationships Forge partnerships with colleges, employers, learning platforms, and nonprofits
Collaborate with academics, tech, marketing, and institutional engagement teams to align strategy and execution
Represent Portage externally as a thought leader and innovator
Measure, Report & Improve Set and track KPIs: learner impact, revenue, partner growth, ROI
Report on progress and learnings to executive leadership and board stakeholders
Use data to refine, pivot, and optimize initiatives