Application Guide
How to Apply for Senior Manager of Education Design
at The News Literacy Project
🏢 About The News Literacy Project
The News Literacy Project (NLP) is a nonpartisan nonprofit founded in 2008 with a mission to ensure all students are skilled in news literacy before high school graduation. It is the nation's leading provider of news literacy education, reaching educators in all 50 states through its Checkology® e-learning platform and The Sift® newsletter. Working here means joining a mission-driven team at an inflection point, scaling rapidly to build a national movement for informed, critical thinkers.
About This Role
As Senior Manager of Education Design, you will manage and grow NLP's resource collection, serving as the go-to expert for educational design. You will create world-class learning experiences, provide influential teacher training, and help shape the global field of news, media, and information literacy. Reporting to the Senior Director of Education Design, you will have immediate impact on scaling NLP's work and ensuring students gain essential news literacy skills.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve collaborating with the education design team to develop new lesson plans for Checkology®, reviewing and updating existing resources based on educator feedback, and leading a virtual training session for teachers on news literacy. You might also analyze data on resource usage to inform future content decisions and meet with cross-functional teams to align on strategic priorities.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who The News Literacy Project Is Looking For
- 5+ years of experience in instructional design, curriculum development, or education design, preferably in K-12 or nonprofit settings.
- Deep understanding of news literacy, media literacy, or information literacy, with the ability to translate complex concepts into engaging learning experiences.
- Proven track record of managing and growing a resource collection, including digital content, lesson plans, and educator training materials.
- Strong project management skills and experience collaborating with cross-functional teams (e.g., educators, designers, technologists) to deliver high-quality resources on time.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to train and support educators effectively.
📝 Tips for Applying to The News Literacy Project
Highlight specific experience with K-12 education and news/media literacy in your resume and cover letter—NLP is looking for someone who understands the classroom context.
Showcase any work you've done with e-learning platforms or digital resource collections, especially if you've managed a library of educational content.
Demonstrate your ability to scale educational initiatives by quantifying impact (e.g., number of educators reached, resources developed, or improvements in learning outcomes).
Mention familiarity with NLP's flagship products, Checkology® and The Sift®, and explain how your skills would enhance them.
Emphasize your ability to work remotely and collaborate effectively with a distributed team, as this is a remote position.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
In your cover letter, focus on: 1) Your passion for news literacy and civic education, and why NLP's mission resonates with you. 2) Specific examples of how you've designed and scaled educational resources, ideally in K-12 or nonprofit settings. 3) Your experience managing a resource collection or digital library, including how you ensured quality and relevance. 4) Your ability to train and support educators, highlighting any successful professional development you've led.
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Explore NLP's website, especially the Checkology® platform and The Sift® newsletter, to understand their current offerings and educational approach.
- → Read NLP's recent reports, blog posts, or press releases to learn about their strategic priorities and growth plans.
- → Research the state of news literacy education in the U.S., including key challenges and opportunities, to speak knowledgeably about the field.
- → Look up the backgrounds of the Senior Director of Education Design and other team members on LinkedIn to understand their expertise and potentially tailor your questions.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Avoid generic cover letters that don't mention news literacy, NLP, or K-12 education—this role requires a specific passion for the mission.
- Don't focus solely on instructional design theory without demonstrating practical application in a nonprofit or educational setting.
- Avoid neglecting to mention remote work experience or ability to collaborate virtually, as this is a fully remote position.
📅 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:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to The News Literacy Project!