ETCH Jobs of the Week 6/2/24
Job hunting is getting…
ETCH Jobs of the Week (JOTW) is a collaboration between ETCH, your home for EdTech news and information; and my recruiting practice, Tenzing, which helps orgs positively impacting education efficiently attract, source, vet and hire mission-aligned talent.
Before reading on and risking your opinion being influenced, please answer this poll:
I’ve been asking myself this question recently after a dozen informal conversations with job seekers. The feedback I’m increasingly hearing includes:
Employers ghosting more and more candidates
Longer Interview processes - taking up to 10 interviews to land a role!
Employers posting “ghost jobs” that they have no intention of filling
This recent anecdotal feedback aligns well with what Time reported almost a year ago - You’re Not Imagining It - Job Hunting is Getting Worse, and was more recently reinforced by CNBC.
For Employers, this shows that HRTech is primarily being deployed to optimize job distribution, application collection, and screening in/out at the expense of candidate experience. While the concept of candidate experience has been more widely discussed since the aughts, I don’t see much evidence that employers look at it as an essential ingredient in the hiring process worth spending additional resources on.
The funny thing is that fixing candidate experience isn’t all that difficult. Here are some low-hanging fruit action steps for employers (that don’t even involve AI!):
Follow up with job seekers! When searching for a job, the one thing that’s worse than getting dismissed is getting ghosted - not knowing where one stands in the process. Create an SOP that ensures candidates hear back within an acceptable timeline (e.g. 48 hrs, 72 hrs, 5 business days) and fully leverage the email templates and bulk action features in your ATS.
Cut back on unnecessary interviews: There is a point of diminishing returns when it comes to candidate assessment and interviewing, and employers are increasingly crossing it to their own detriment. A good interview process is predictive, valid, and efficient. One structured interview with two trained interviewers is sufficient most of the time. There can also be a place for a second interview with some additional trained interviewers who are focusing on different competencies. But rarely does a third round of interviews add material predictability to the process, and it likely increases the chances of candidate drop off. Additionally, consider the cost of the additional hours that interviewers are investing in the process.
Manage expectations: Share what to expect in terms of the interview process and timeline with candidates ahead of time. When sharing those expectations, it is always wise to underpromise and overdeliver.
For job seekers, I’m advising that you adopt the mentality of a salesperson - be professionally persistent, establish an appropriate follow-up cadence until you get an answer (yes or no), and remember that every “no” gets you one step closer to your next “yes.”
P.S. Don’t forget that relationships > resumes as reflected in this WSJ article: Landing a Job Is All About Who You Know (Again)
Now, let’s get to the Jobs of the Week:
Head of Product - DataLab | DataCamp
Location: Remote
Education Focus: K-12
Mission: DataCamp teaches companies and individuals the skills to work with data and AI in the real world. Their mission is to democratize data and AI skills for everyone.
Job Summary: The Head of Product at DataLab will lead the development and enhancement of a cutting-edge AI-driven data analysis platform, focusing on understanding customer needs, refining user experiences, and collaborating closely with engineering and design teams to implement new features. This role is responsible for the overall customer experience, aiming to achieve customer satisfaction, product-market fit, and top-line growth. Reporting directly to the Chief Product Officer of DataCamp, the Head of Product will also define and track key metrics to evaluate product success. Ideal candidates should have over 8 years of product management experience, preferably in the SaaS industry, with a strong background in B2B web products, though B2C experience is also beneficial. A deep understanding of the data and analytics space and a proven ability to drive product-led growth are essential, along with exceptional analytical skills and a data-driven approach to decision-making.
Compensation: DataCamp offers competitive salaries, stock options, generous healthcare benefits, flexible working hours, paid parental leave, international company retreats, office equipment and professional development budget
Director, Evaluation | Equal Measure
Location: Remote (Travel Required)
Education Focus: Postsecondary & Workforce Education
Mission: Equal Measure (EM) envisions a society where race does not dictate life outcomes. They are committed to fortifying their partners’ work to build equitable communities and dismantle the systems that perpetuate racism. Through knowledge building about the root causes of racial inequities they strive to become the megaphone for shifting narratives around structural racism, creating safe spaces for meaningful dialogue across sectors.
Job Summary: Directors hold a pivotal role in managing multiple project portfolios, spearheading innovative business models, and maintaining Equal Measure’s health and vitality. This position requires directing racially equitable and culturally responsive evaluation or consultancy practices within project work and collaborating with senior leadership to achieve strategic organizational goals. Directors report to Senior Directors and are expected to manage internal change, supervise projects and staff, and facilitate inter-team collaboration. Key responsibilities include overseeing client communications and negotiations, guiding project teams from strategic objectives to tactical execution, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality products. Additionally, Directors contribute to business development, engage in thought leadership activities, and uphold organizational responsibilities that support business functions. The ideal candidate will have a Master's degree with over 10 years of research/evaluation experience, significant leadership and supervisory experience, expertise in mixed-methods evaluation, and preferably a background in consulting and government contracts. Familiarity with culturally responsive practices and sectors like education reform, community development, or health services is highly valued.
Compensation: The salary range for this role is $115,000-$135,000. EM also offers medical, dental, and prescription drug coverage, fully paid life insurance, short- and long-term disability, 403b retirement plan, and financial counseling
Senior Manager, Professional Learning Services | Learning A-Z
Location: Remote
Education Focus: PreK-6
Mission: Learning A-Z is a leading education technology company, and a division of Cambium Learning Group. They believe that when teachers are given the right resources to inform and deliver effective differentiated instruction, every student benefits.
Job Summary: The Senior Manager of Professional Learning Services is responsible for leading a team that develops and operationalizes professional learning for K-12 educators using the company's products and services. This role includes overseeing the creation of both live and on-demand learning opportunities designed to enhance educators' abilities to support student learning outcomes, thus driving renewal revenue. The Senior Manager will work closely with various internal teams to ensure high-quality learning experiences, analyze data to improve service offerings, and maintain up-to-date knowledge on educational trends and company products. The ideal candidate will have 5-8 years of experience in professional learning service design, significant experience as a K-5 educator or in a similar role, and a Master's Degree in a relevant field. This position requires a strategic vision, leadership skills, and the ability to manage multiple projects and cross-functional partnerships in a fast-paced environment.
Compensation: Cambium offers benefits including medical, dental and vision coverage, mental health coverage, wellness education, parental leave, maternity programs, adoption assistance and caregiver relief, PTO, medical leave support, 401(k), tuition reimbursement, HSA, FSA, life, disability, supplemental insurance plans, annual incentive plans for bonuses and more
Implementation Manager | RedShelf
Location: Chicago, IL
Education Focus: Digital Course Materials
Mission: RedShelf is an award-winning EdTech company focused on helping publishers, schools, and businesses transition effortlessly to more affordable and efficient digital textbooks and learning content.
Job Summary: As an Implementation Manager, you will be instrumental in accelerating the company's growth by optimizing the integration process of new and existing campus systems. The role involves analyzing and improving current onboarding procedures, identifying efficiency bottlenecks, and implementing solutions that expedite the delivery of RedShelf's products to clients. Collaborating closely with customers, the product team, and customer success teams, you will tailor onboarding strategies to meet campus-specific needs, ensure successful integration, and support long-term success. You’ll also develop project plans, manage resources, and maintain documentation to streamline future integrations. This position requires 5 years of experience in implementing cloud-based software, strong communication skills, familiarity with project management tools like JIRA, and the ability to occasionally travel for work. A background in EdTech and knowledge of APIs, sFTP, and webhooks will be a big plus
Compensation: RedShelf offers benefits including semi-annual incentive pay programs, medical (two plans including an HSA with RedShelf contribution), dental, and vision insurance, life, AD&D, disability, and accident insurance, FSA - including health, dependent care, and commuter/parking, paid parental leave, PTO, 401(k), and more
Affiliate Partnership Manager | Edmentum
Location: Remote (Travel Required)
Education Focus: K-12
Mission: Edmentum aims to provide K-12 digital curriculum, assessments, and services to schools in all 50 states and over 100 countries. The goal is to ensure educators succeed and thereby support students to thrive.
Job Summary: The Affiliate Partnership Manager is responsible for driving revenue growth through the development and execution of sales strategies in collaboration with the sales and Instructional Services teams. This role involves supporting new and existing partners in developing virtual private school programs, directly selling products and services to consumers, and managing the full sales process from prospecting to deal closure. The manager will identify new business opportunities, maintain client relationships, achieve revenue targets, and ensure alignment with business objectives across functional teams. Key responsibilities include sales process implementation, maintaining product knowledge, managing instructional compliance, documenting and reporting sales activities, and fostering relationships with internal and external stakeholders. The role requires four years of relevant experience, strong business acumen, excellent communication skills, and a deep understanding of education industry regulations and compliance standards.
Compensation: Edmentum offers a competitive compensation package and best in class Total Rewards offerings including contributions so you and your family are covered, PTO, annual paid seasonal shutdowns, paid volunteer hours, 401(k) with company match, and a commitment to development and career advancement
Subscription Renewal Specialist | Cengage Group
Location: Remote
Education Focus: Education Content and Technology
Mission: Cengage Group is a global edtech company that enables student choice. No matter how, where, when or why someone wants to learn, their portfolio of education businesses supports all students, from middle school through graduate school and skills education, with quality content and technology. Through trust, transparency and accountability, they are on a mission to reinvent education.
Job Summary: The Subscription Renewal Specialist is responsible for fostering lasting relationships with existing customers to ensure the successful renewal of subscriptions. Key responsibilities include maintaining regular contact with customers through phone calls, managing renewal statuses during budget reviews, identifying accounts at risk of non-renewal, and collaborating with sales consultants to promote additional products. The role requires at least one year of inside sales experience, with a preference for candidates who have three or more years of sales experience, particularly in the education sector. Proficiency in Salesforce.com and a proven track record of meeting or exceeding sales goals are also highly preferred. This position requires a bachelor's degree or equivalent experience, exceptional relationship-building skills, and the ability to manage time and adapt to changing priorities effectively.
Compensation: This is a full time position paying $17-$27 hourly, in addition Sales roles often incorporate a significant incentive compensation program beyond this base pay range. Cengage Group also offers extensive benefits including medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k), PTO, wellness programs, insurance for life, AD&D, disability and legal expenses, tuition assistance, career development resources, as well as a company wide dedication to work life balance
Lead Full Stack Software Engineer - Timely App
Location: remote
Education focus: School software infrastructure
Mission: Today, hundreds of billions of dollars in teacher and staff salaries are tied up in middle and high school schedules that are built in painstaking fashion on white boards and Google docs. Not surprisingly, schedules are rife with inefficiency and inequity, while constraining schools’ ability to innovate and deliver better, more engaging student experiences. We created a solution to address the needs of school-based employees who toil away building schedules and central office employees who need visibility into them. We believe scheduling shouldn’t be a process you suffer through, but one that seamlessly enables your academic, budget and staffing priorities. Not only does Timely save time and headache, it unlocks resources so leaders can build the school that aligns with their vision. Timely is your home for secondary scheduling featuring AI optimization and support from a team of former educators who know and have lived scheduling. After completing a successful pilot during the 2022-23 school year, we are now scaling our impact across the country, currently serving district and charter schools across 9 states and the District of Columbia.
Job Summary: As a Full-Stack Developer at Timely, you will play a crucial role in the next phase of our web app's development, focusing on improving usability, reliability, and scalability to meet the growing demand for our solution. You will report to the CTO and collaborate with the Head of Product to lead the app team as it develops new features and enhances existing code across Timely's React front-end and Python API. With very positive momentum, early product-market fit, and 7x revenue growth in Timely’s second year, we are looking for a hands-on engineering lead who can anchor the next phase of growth in the app team and the product this team owns. Own the architecture, delivery, maintainability and reliability of the Timely App for our customers and internal team.
Compensation: Competitive pay commensurate with experience level
Hiring or looking for a role in EdTech? Check out the ETCH Jobs Community!
Need more hire power? Tenzing will do all the legwork (e.g., sourcing, vetting, and managing the hiring process) for half the cost of traditional headhunters.