Executive Director, AP Instructional Design

College Board•New York, NY

21h•Remote

About The Position

The College Board’s Advanced Placement and Instruction division is seeking an Executive Director, AP Instructional Design to lead the curricular research and instructional design phases for a portfolio of projects. This role involves working closely with cross-functional teams, managing the project lifecycle from inception to the delivery of precise project requirements, product roadmaps, and launch plans. The Executive Director will lead curricular research, prototyping, and content development for new AP courses, ensuring relevance, engagement, and alignment with college credit standards. This position requires assembling and managing flexible teams throughout project phases, fostering seamless transitions and collaboration across departments. The leadership in this role will drive the innovation and quality of instructional content, significantly impacting the educational experience of millions of students globally. The Executive Director will develop and lead approaches such as guiding the work of curriculum analysts, instructional designers, and subject matter experts; collaborating with cross-functional teams including Learning Engineering, Access, and Strategy departments; driving innovation in instructional content by exploring new pedagogical approaches and integrating technology; overseeing the successful delivery for the instructional design team; and ensuring quality and alignment with standards required for college credit and student success. The ideal candidate is a visionary leader with a deep passion for instructional design and curriculum development, who thrives on complexity and strategic thinking, and can manage and execute large-scale projects. They should possess a broad experience across various disciplines, the ability to synthesize input from diverse stakeholders, and make nuanced decisions balancing pedagogical ideals with practical implementation. This role requires challenging the status quo, exploring new content areas and innovative instructional approaches, excelling in team management, fostering collaboration, and leading staff toward shared goals with clear expectations. The candidate must be detail-oriented, capable of managing multiple priorities, committed to continuous improvement, and skilled in building strong relationships across departments. They should thrive in a fast-paced environment and be driven by a desire to make a meaningful impact on students’ educational experiences.

Requirements

10+ years of experience in academic strategy, instructional design or curriculum development, with at least 5 years in a leadership role managing cross-functional teams.
A strong strategic mindset, able to connect the dots between different areas of work and lead the development of new instructional models that push the boundaries of traditional practice.
Exceptional project management skills, with a track record of delivering complex projects on time and within scope, while maintaining high standards of quality and innovation.
A deep understanding of instructional design principles across multiple disciplines, with the ability to apply this knowledge to create relevant, engaging content that meets college-level expectations.
Critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, enabling you to navigate challenges and propose solutions that balance competing priorities.
Outstanding communication skills, capable of conveying complex ideas to a range of audiences, from senior leadership to project teams and external stakeholders.
A passion for innovation, always seeking out new opportunities to enhance the educational experience for students and teachers alike.
Experience working in and managing staff in a matrixed team environment, comfortable with guiding and assembling flexible teams to meet project needs.
An eye for detail and quality, ensuring that all instructional materials meet the required standards for college credit, advanced placement, and student success.
A passion for expanding educational and career opportunities and mission-driven work.
Curiosity and enthusiasm for emerging technologies, with a willingness to experiment with and adopt new AI-driven solutions and comfort with learning and applying new digital tools independently and proactively.
Clear and concise communication skills, written and verbal.
A learner's mindset and a commitment to growth: welcoming diverse perspectives, giving and receiving timely, respectful feedback, and continuously improving through iterative learning and user input.
A drive for impact and excellence: solving complex problems, making data-informed decisions, prioritizing what matters most, and continuously improving through learning, user input, and external benchmarking.
A collaborative and empathetic approach: working across differences, fostering trust, and contributing to a culture of shared success.
Authorization to work in the United States.

Nice To Haves

Ability to travel (15-20%)

Responsibilities

Lead the instructional design process by guiding the work of curriculum analysts, instructional designers, and subject matter experts to develop and refine instructional content and resources across various AP courses.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams including Learning Engineering, Access, and Strategy departments, ensuring the successful integration and execution of instructional design projects.
Drive innovation in instructional content by exploring new pedagogical approaches, integrating technology, and ensuring that AP courses remain relevant and engaging to a diverse student population.
Oversee successful delivery for the instructional design team, ensuring that timelines, resources, and deliverables are met efficiently and effectively.
Ensure quality and alignment by reviewing and refining instructional content to meet the standards required for college credit and student success.
Guide the work of curriculum analysts in evaluating higher education content scope and standards, secondary education state standards, and other considerations essential to defining options for AP course curricula and assessments.
Develop a summary of the leading options for new content, delineating which objectives each option best serves.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure the analysis informs the design and development phases effectively.
Lead the development of prototypes for various components of new AP courses or resources, such as project-based tasks, instructional approaches, or teacher training materials.
Oversee testing and feedback collection to refine prototypes, in partnership with the Learning Engineering department.
Develop a set of high-level specifications or requirements for new content and facilitate approval from relevant departments to move forward with development.
Guide the Project Management Office through the collaboration process across all AP departments to develop a high-level project plan for new content development and launch.
Establish and manage project governance to ensure visibility, collaboration, and readiness across all teams involved in the project.
Manage and deploy resources, including staff allocations, appropriately for evolving project demands through the research and design phases.
Review new content to confirm fulfillment of content requirements and alignment with curricular standards.
Partner with the Curriculum and Assessment department to approve any refinements or changes needed during development or piloting processes.
Manage a high-performing team of curricular analysts, instructional designers, and subject matter experts, providing guidance, support, and performance feedback.
Represent the AP Program in presentations to stakeholders, including educators, administrators, and policymakers, particularly at conferences and events focused on curriculum and instruction.
Partner with other AP departments to observe classrooms and gather insights from field implementations.