WHAT WORKS IN EDUCATION The George Lucas Educational Foundation

Director of Product Development and Technology

The George Lucas Educational Foundation is in the midst of an exciting period of growth and opportunity and we are looking for a highly motivated individual with strong product management skills and digital savvy to lead efforts to define and develop new products and new functionality to help shape the future and impact of the Foundation’s Internet-based platforms. S/he is also responsible for managing a small team and vendors to ensure scalable technology solutions, technical infrastructure, and server maintenance.

The position requires a mastery of product and project management, technical aptitude to oversee engineering resources and a great instinct for developing compelling, content-focused products optimized for the social ecosystem. Candidate must be flexible, enthusiastic, self-motivated and possess a proven ability to work independently, as well as within a team.

This position, based in northern San Rafael, CA, will report to the Editorial Director, and work closely with all areas of the Foundation.

Responsibilities:

Lead product development of website, social media, and mobile properties

  • In collaboration with team members, define and develop new products.
  • Develop necessary requirements for initiatives.
  • Perform impact analysis of site/application changes across various components, holding an end-to-end view of the system/operational workflow.
  • Manage in-house and outside vendor development and ensure that work stays in scope and is managed with current best practices and project management methodologies.
  • Meet or exceed product goals and project deadlines, manage approval process, deliver quality products and services in a timely manner.
  • Drive day-to-day prioritization of work operations, projects and scope, troubleshoot reported issues and create new processes to improve/maintain quality control.
  • Responsible for reporting to executive team on infrastructure, application and overall system status.
  • Collaborate with others, share information, work toward a common goal.

Lead technical direction and development of website properties

  • Evaluate and manage web application hosting providers to ensure scalability and 99.9% up-time
  • Manage staff software engineer and contract developers to ensure their work is done on time and within budget/scope.
  • Establish and enforce website development processes and methodologies.
  • Select, deploy, and monitor performance profiling tools and procedures.
  • Ensure technical problems are resolved in a timely and cost-effective manner.
  • Other duties, as needed.

Experience, Skills, and Education:

  • 5-8 years experience of product/project/production management experience, with solid track record of developing and launching web-based properties. Social media and mobile experience a plus
  • Strong technical skills and fluency; Drupal experience a strong plus
  • Experience developing requirements and articulating ideas through wireframes and sketches
  • Excellent “soft skills”: understanding goals and vision, communicating with non-technical staff, ability to provide consultative solutions
  • Cooperative, composed and cool under pressure to deliver against deadlines
  • Strong analytical, problem solving, communication and project management skills. Strong multi-tasking and prioritization capabilities
  • Possesses strong operational, leadership and relationship building skills; able to balance and address conflicting needs and timelines of multiple stakeholders
  • Comfort working independently in fast-paced, rapidly changing, entrepreneurial non-profit environment
  • Excellent written/verbal communication and decision-making skills; track record in building consensus around a product vision
  • A passion for, or knowledge of, improving K-12 education
  • Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience preferred

Contact:

Send an email to hr@edutopia.org and include "Director of Product Development and Technology" in the subject line.

Principals only please. Recruiters and agencies, please do not contact GLEF.

About Edutopia and The George Lucas Educational Foundation:

Edutopia is produced by The George Lucas Educational Foundation, an operating foundation dedicated to improving the K-12 learning process by documenting, disseminating, and advocating for innovative, replicable strategies that prepare students to thrive in their future education, careers, and adult lives. As one of the world's leading sources for change-makers in education, The George Lucas Educational Foundation spreads the word about ideal, interactive learning environments and enables others to adapt these successes locally. Edutopia.org contains a deep archive of continually updated best practices, from classroom tips to recommendations for district-wide change.

The George Lucas Educational Foundation is an equal opportunity employer.