Educator Learning & Development Director

Full Job Description

The Department of Education and Early Learning’s (DEEL) mission is to transform the lives of Seattle’s children, youth, and families through strategic investments in education.

We believe equitable opportunities and access to high-quality education services and support from kindergarten through postsecondary should be the reality for all.

Our staff is committed to eliminating opportunity gaps, advancing academic achievement, and ensuring students graduate prepared for a college and career path of their choice.

To support this mission, we are looking for an Educator Learning & Development (ELD) Director who will be responsible for translating Mayoral directives and citywide education priorities into strategic, evidence-based, and equitable programs that strengthen the City’s provider and educator ecosystem.

This is a newly-created position and will operate with a broad corporate orientation.

You will have long-term, strategic influence on how the City invests in and evaluates the success of its education providers across the Early Learning, K-12, and Postsecondary continuum.

Additionally, you will oversee a division of 27 employees, providing direct supervision to 4.

In this role, you will shape and drive high-impact strategies in instructional practice, curriculum development, systemic equity, and adult learning, ensuring alignment with the City’s broader educational goals and strong academic outcomes for all youth.

You will lead the design, coordination, and continuous improvement of a coherent, research-informed professional learning system that strengthens adult learning internally and across external partners.

You will ensure professional development is aligned, high-quality, and directly connected to improved outcomes for children, youth, and families.

Requirements

Your top 3 priorities in this role will be:

• Building a coherent educator and provider professional development (PD) system: Reducing fragmentation by establishing shared principles, frameworks, and practices that guides external adult learning efforts in service to our department mission, vision, and goals
• Improving quality and impact of professional development: Ensuring professional learning translates into stronger instructional practices, leadership development, and higher-quality learning environments to improve children and student outcomes
• Strengthen internal and external capacity: Equip staff and partners with the skills, tools, and supports needed to drive continuous quality improvement across programs

Your key duties and responsibilities will include:

• Setting strategic vision and operational leadership for the newly formed Educator Learning & Development (ELD) Division.
• Aligning and integrating fragmented provider professional learning efforts to ensure alignment across Ready to Start, Learn, and Launch programs, creating a seamless learning continuum from early learning through postsecondary.
• Developing and implementing Professional Learning Frameworks.
• Designing, refining, and monitoring curriculum standards and pedagogical frameworks (e.g., SPP Standards, 5Essentials Framework, Youth Program Quality Assurance) across the education continuum to ensure coherence and research alignment across programs.
• Leading educator and provider professional development (PD).
• Planning, delivering, and overseeing training and professional development and coaching models, including intervention-based PD, cross-partner learning, and cohort-based educator initiatives (e.g., Academy for Rising Educators, Seattle Preschool Program Scholars).
• Strengthening organizational and instructional capacity.
• Supporting programs in building internal organizational capacity by improving leadership practices, instructional quality, and youth learning environments.
• Monitoring the quality and effectiveness of PD efforts, ensuring investments are allocated to high-quality and enriching programs
• Assessing and improving the effectiveness of internal and external professional learning initiatives, including managing and monitoring PD and capacity-building contracts.

Qualifications

You will be most successful if you have demonstrated experience leading or supporting educator learning, professional development, or capacity building initiatives.

A commitment to listening, creating space for diverse perspectives, equity, access, and inclusive learning environments for educators and learners must be at the center of your professional practice.

The ability to communicate at all levels thoughtfully and effectively will also contribute to your success.

Specifically, you'll be prepared to take on this role if you have a combination of the following:

Experience in:

• Managing educational professional development for educators
• Providing strategic leadership, including guiding teams, managing projects, or coordinating cross-functional or cross-partner efforts
• Using data, feedback, or evidence to inform decision-making and improve learning outcomes
• Leading a large team or division
• Continuous quality improvement
• Managing large training events

The ability to:

• Design, implement, and evaluate learning programs that support adult learners and instructional improvement
• Collaborate with diverse stakeholders, including educators, leaders, partners, and community members
• Hold the team accountable for their work and meeting goals
• Represent the City as an educator professional development expert in the community, including child care, preschool, K-12, and Seattle college partners
• Synthesize complex and detailed information for the executive team

Knowledge and skills in:

• Effective instructional practices, adult learning principles, and continuous improvement in educational or learning-focused settings
• Communication, facilitation, and organizational skills, with the ability to translate vision into actionable plans
• Navigating difficult conversations with team members, union representatives, and other parties
• Project management

Additional Information

This position reports to the Deputy Director and is classified as an Executive 1. It is exempt from FLSA (not eligible for overtime), as well as exempt from the Civil Service system.

The full pay range for this position is $56.60 - $93.41 per hour. The salary range for this individual position has been identified as $91.00 - $92.84 hourly.

The first round of interviews for this position are tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, March 24 and Wednesday, March 25, 2026. Second round interviews are tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, April 1, 2026.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.

Please contact Lindsey King at Lindsey.King@seattle.gov to request accommodation.

This position offers the flexibility of a hybrid work schedule. Employees will be expected to be in-office three times a week.

Evenings or occasional weekends may be expected to meet the needs of the role and department. Individual schedules will be based on agreement between the employee and their supervisor.

Applicants must successfully pass a background check, which will be conducted in accordance with Seattle’s Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17.

Applicants will have the opportunity to explain or correct background information and provide verifiable information of good conduct and rehabilitation.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents.

More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans.

Why work at the City?

At the City of Seattle, public service is more than a job; it’s a chance to shape the future and make a meaningful difference in the lives of everyone who works, lives, or plays in our city.

With 12,000 employees across 40+ departments and 1,100 job titles, we are united by a common purpose: to create a Seattle that is vibrant and welcoming for all.

Whatever your role, you’ll help power a forward-looking city that leads by example — inclusive, innovative, equitable, and community-focused – while joining a diverse team committed to solving challenges and making a lasting impact together.

Join us in building a Seattle where everyone thrives!

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Please submit your application at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/seattle/no later than 4:00pm Pacific Time on Tuesday, March 10, 2026. To be considered for this position, in addition to completing your application fully, please:

We encourage you to review the City of Seattle’s Application and Interviewing Tips Guide, which may be used as a resource as you prepare to apply and interview for positions with the City of Seattle.

This position is open to all applicants that demonstrate alignment with the skills and experience described above. The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences.

Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, medical condition, or pregnancy.

The City of Seattle encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences.

If you have questions, please contact Lindsey King at Lindsey.King@seattle.gov.