Job Details

Executive Director, Academic Design Science

Build the Future
At McGraw Hill, we are dedicated to delivering digital learning experiences that transform education for learners and educators. Our focus is on creating seamless, impactful products that benefit users while supporting growth and collaboration across teams. We foster a culture that values innovation, teamwork, and a blend of career growth and personal well‑being.

How can you make an impact?

McGraw Hill, the leading provider of digital and print educational solutions, is seeking an Executive Director, Academic Design within our K‑12 division to create market‑leading science instructional materials that teachers embrace and students enjoy. This role reports directly to the Chief Academic Officer and manages a team of academic designers to produce efficient, effective materials that optimize student learning. You will collaborate across product management, marketing, design, user experience, and technology to deliver engaging teaching and learning experiences in print and digital formats.

• Apply expertise in science, pedagogy, content standards, and instructional design to build products that meet customer needs and provide competitive differentiation.
• Collaborate with other departments to research, design, and develop product concepts, synthesizing multiple inputs into cohesive, cost‑effective, accessible solutions.
• Develop deep cross‑functional partnerships to set portfolio strategy, priorities, and resourcing.
• Prioritize work, manage resources across staff and vendors, and set clear performance goals to deliver high‑quality work in a fast‑paced, fluid environment.
• Participate in industry events, customer research, advisory boards, and educational product reviews, staying up‑to‑date on pedagogical, curricular, and technological advances.
• Develop metrics on quality, efficiency, and impact to drive continuous improvement across the school business.

The Executive Director is part of the Science Product Development leadership team and is accountable for delivering programs on time and on budget. The role demands excellent problem‑solving, collaboration, facilitation, and communication skills.

This position can be remote within the continental United States but may also be based in a McGraw Hill office.

What you bring to the position:

• Content and Pedagogical Expertise: Develop a vision for science product design, including instructional models and resource use, translating customer knowledge into strategy.
• Communication: Thought leader internally and externally, representing McGraw Hill to industry groups, maintaining strong networks, and inspiring others through clear written and oral communication.
• Leadership and Organization: Envision strategic capabilities, architect organizational design, build trust, foster innovation, and drive team development.
• Business and Financial Acumen: Build compelling business cases, gain efficiency with industry best practices, and manage resources and budgeting strategically.

We are looking for someone with:

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree (Master's or Doctorate) preferred.
• 12+ years of K‑12 science educational product development experience.
• 6+ years of increasing managerial experience.
• Experience managing large teams, vendors, contractors, and third‑party relationships.
• Proven ability to build and lead strong teams, inspire, influence, and negotiate at all levels.
• Experience with core instructional adoption process (preferred).
• Experience working in agile environments (preferred).

How we work

• Big We: Respect and care for teammates, working as one team.
• Listening to Learn: Collaborate for success, building trust.
• Ask Learning Questions: Value differences as growth opportunities.
• An Idea Meritocracy: Inclusive environment for open, constructive dialogue.
• Creative, Innovative, & Emergent Thinking: Tackle challenges, decide to benefit the business, and innovate.

Why work for us?

At McGraw Hill, the work you do matters. We collectively design content that builds the future of education. Join us to experience fulfillment and growth.

The pay range for this position is $108,175–$160,000 annually, though base pay may vary by knowledge, skill, experience, and location.