Application Guide

How to Apply for Director of Digital Publishing

at Fishtank Learning

🏢 About Fishtank Learning

Fishtank Learning is a mission-driven organization dedicated to providing high-quality, free instructional materials to educators. Unlike many edtech companies, Fishtank focuses on deep curriculum development rather than just content aggregation, offering a unique opportunity to shape how students learn across the country.

About This Role

As Director of Digital Publishing, you will own the end-to-end delivery of curriculum to digital platforms, ensuring teachers and students have seamless access to materials. This role is impactful because you'll lead cross-functional projects that directly influence the quality and accessibility of educational content for thousands of classrooms.

💡 A Day in the Life

Your day might start with a stand-up with the Digital Content team to review publishing priorities and blockers. You'll then meet with engineering to align on a new CMS feature, followed by deep work on optimizing a workflow for an upcoming curriculum release. Afternoons often involve coaching a team member on project planning and reviewing QA reports for published content.

🚀 Application Tools

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Fishtank Learning Is Looking For

  • A seasoned project manager with 8+ years in K-12 education or edtech, who has led complex, multi-stakeholder projects from planning to delivery.
  • A people leader with at least 3 years managing teams focused on execution, able to coach and develop staff while maintaining high standards.
  • Someone with deep familiarity with CMS tools and digital publishing workflows, particularly for curriculum or instructional materials.
  • A systems thinker who identifies inefficiencies and implements process improvements to scale publishing operations.

📝 Tips for Applying to Fishtank Learning

1

Highlight specific examples of leading cross-functional projects with multiple dependencies, such as launching a new curriculum module across platforms.

2

Quantify your impact in previous roles—e.g., 'Reduced publishing cycle time by 20% through workflow optimization.'

3

Demonstrate your familiarity with Fishtank's curriculum by referencing specific subjects or grade levels in your cover letter.

4

Showcase your experience with CMS tools (e.g., WordPress, Drupal) and digital publishing workflows—mention tools you've used.

5

Tailor your resume to emphasize K-12 digital content and edtech experience; avoid generic project management roles outside education.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your passion for K-12 education and ensuring equitable access to high-quality instructional materials.', 'Concrete examples of leading complex publishing projects and improving workflows.', "Your experience managing and developing teams, focusing on how you've supported growth and accountability.", 'Your technical familiarity with digital publishing tools and platforms relevant to curriculum delivery.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Explore Fishtank's free curriculum on their website to understand the depth and structure of their materials.
  • → Read their blog or news section to learn about recent curriculum releases and platform updates.
  • → Check their LinkedIn for employee insights or posts about team culture and publishing projects.
  • → Review their about page to understand their mission and how they measure impact.
Visit Fishtank Learning's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe a time you managed a project with conflicting stakeholder priorities. How did you ensure delivery?
2 How would you approach improving the current publishing workflow at Fishtank? What metrics would you track?
3 Tell us about a team member you developed who struggled initially. What specific coaching did you provide?
4 What experience do you have with CMS platforms? How have you used them to scale content delivery?
5 How do you stay updated on K-12 curriculum trends and digital publishing innovations?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic cover letter that doesn't reference Fishtank's specific curriculum or mission.
  • Overemphasizing technical skills without connecting them to K-12 education or content delivery.
  • Failing to provide concrete examples of team management and project leadership—vague claims hurt your application.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Fishtank Learning!

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