Title: Editorial Director, Social Studies

Reports To: Senior Director, Educator Content

Status: Full Time; Exempt

Location: US Based Home Office

Start Date: Immediate 

Facing History and Ourselves is an international educational nonprofit that provides educational content, curriculum resources, and professional development to secondary school social studies, civics, humanities, and English teachers. 

Facing History’s educational content is informed by a unique pedagogical model that helps students explore questions of identity, human behavior, prejudice, and civic responsibility, and make the essential connection between history and the moral choices they confront in their own lives today. We currently apply this model to explore case studies of pivotal historical moments such as the Holocaust and the Reconstruction Era following the American Civil War, as well as rich works of literature such as Brown Girl Dreaming.

The Editorial Director, Social Studies is responsible for developing, communicating, and refining the vision and strategy for Social Studies Products and Services. The Editorial Director ensures that all educator resources are aligned to Facing History’s pedagogy and approach, grounded in the latest field research, and take into account best practices for teaching and learning. The Editorial Director will join a collaborative team whose roles include curriculum writers, editors, production coordinators, supervisors, and strategists. 
 

Roles and Responsibilities 

• Work in partnership with senior Program leadership, including the Senior Director, to develop and execute a multi-year plan for Social Studies content that supports Facing History’s mission and growth strategy.

• Coordinate with the Senior Director to bring clear messaging and consistent voice to vision and strategy documents, as well as to resources. 

• Become an expert in Facing History’s unique organizational voice, perspective, and pedagogical model and apply them to the design of curriculum resources.

• Write new Social Studies resources aligned to FH’s student learning objectives and outcomes that also align with relevant Social Studies standards when possible.

• Serve as a thought partner and editor to members of the social studies curriculum writing team. 

• Stay current on latest trends, technology, and methods of learning through research, networking, and ongoing professional learning.

• Research, synthesize, and communicate to staff current best practices in theory, historical research/scholarship, and pedagogy and coordinate with Program staff to develop internal professional learning. 

• Develop an understanding of the specific needs of regional teams (visit regions, schools, collaborate with regional writers and Program staff) and incorporate learning into curricular resources. 

• Supervise social studies curriculum writers and freelancers.

Program-wide Roles and Responsibilities

• Coordinate with Program and Online Learning to develop an arc of learning for Facing History Social Studies educators.

• Coordinate with the Product Manager and Evaluation team to develop protocols for class testing and educator feedback on new Social Studies professional learning and resources. 

• Engage with the Office of Equity and Inclusion to develop principles and an approach to creating Social Studies resources and professional learning through an equity and inclusion lens. 

Essential Skills/Qualifications:

Facing History understands that restrictive job requirements may exclude historically marginalized groups from applying to jobs for which they are qualified. We take an equitable and holistic screening approach. If you feel you have demonstrated experience and expertise relevant to perform this role, please don’t hesitate to apply!

• Experience as a successful editor, project manager, and supervisor

• Demonstrated up-to-date knowledge and expertise in best practices in the teaching, pedagogy, and assessment of social studies, and a commitment to ensuring that those practices are reflected as appropriate in Facing History content 

• A student-centered approach to content development

• Established and effective communication skills as a leader, team member, and thought partner

• A commitment to collaborative leadership 

• An ability to give and receive clear, actionable, and constructive feedback

• An awareness and sensitivity to the social and political context of the places in which we work

• Classroom teaching experience is strongly preferred

Benefits Summary: In addition to meaningful and rewarding work, Facing History provides an excellent and competitive compensation and benefits package including medical with a health reimbursement account, dental, vision, life & AD&D, long-term & short-term disability insurance, 403(B) retirement plan with a discretionary organizational contribution, generous paid time off, an employee assistance program, travel assistance plan, pre-tax commuter spending accounts, flexible spending accounts, voluntary Colonial Life group plans, robust wellness programs through Welnys TV, aHealthyMe & weekly virtual yoga and meditation, WellCents 403(B) advisement, and a friendly work environment.

Facing History values a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status and record of arrest or conviction, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We are an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

Facing History’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. At Facing History, we honor and value the uniqueness of each and every human being. Our strength as an organization that provides and distributes educational content and pedagogy to teachers across the globe is directly tied to our diversity of staff, leadership, educators, students, scholars, and volunteers. Our commitment is to treat individuals with dignity and to build and maintain a community of full participation, inclusive of the voices, needs, and contributions of all. As an organization, we are deeply aware of the legacies of injustices that persist in society and in the workplace, and we value and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in their association with excellence.