Director of Educational Innovation (Volunteer)

Director of Educational Innovation (Volunteer)

PromiseLearning | Educational Innovation, Learning Design & Future Learning

Organization: Mentor A Promise (MAP)

Division: PromiseLearning

Location: Remote with NYC-based collaboration as needed

Commitment: Approximately 5–10 hours per week

Type: Volunteer Leadership Role

Minimum Commitment: 6-month commitment required

Reports To: Senior Director of Education & Learning

About Mentor A Promise

Mentor A Promise (MAP) is a New York City–based nonprofit organization serving children and youth ages 5–18 experiencing housing instability through mentorship, literacy, social-emotional learning, educational enrichment, workforce development, creative opportunity, advocacy, housing innovation, and community-centered support.

At MAP, we believe every child deserves access to engaging, inspiring, and future-ready learning opportunities that help them discover their strengths, develop new skills, and expand their possibilities.

Innovation in education is not simply about technology.

It is about creating better ways for young people to learn, grow, and thrive.

About PromiseLearning

PromiseLearning is MAP's education, curriculum, instructional design, learning innovation, literacy, workforce readiness, and academic enrichment division.

The division develops educational experiences, learning resources, curriculum frameworks, and innovative learning opportunities that prepare students for success in school, careers, and life.

PromiseLearning is committed to creating educational experiences that are engaging, inclusive, accessible, and impactful.

Role Overview

The Director of Educational Innovation serves as the leader responsible for exploring, designing, and implementing innovative approaches to teaching, learning, youth engagement, and educational programming across Mentor A Promise.

This role helps identify emerging trends, educational technologies, instructional models, and creative learning experiences that strengthen student engagement and learning outcomes.

Working closely with PromiseRooted, PromiseConnects, PromiseStack, PromisePages, PromiseStudios, and educational leaders, the Director helps ensure that MAP remains forward-thinking, adaptive, and responsive to the evolving needs of young people.

The ideal candidate is creative, strategic, curious, and passionate about reimagining how learning can inspire and empower youth.

Key Responsibilities

Educational Innovation Strategy

• Develop and lead MAP's educational innovation strategy
• Identify emerging trends in education, learning science, and youth engagement
• Explore new models for learning, teaching, and student development
• Recommend innovative approaches that strengthen educational outcomes
• Support long-term educational growth and transformation

Learning Experience Design

• Design engaging and innovative learning experiences
• Support project-based, experiential, and student-centered learning initiatives
• Explore creative approaches to literacy, workforce readiness, and enrichment programming
• Strengthen engagement through interactive and hands-on learning opportunities
• Promote inclusive and accessible educational design

Educational Technology & Digital Learning

• Evaluate educational technology tools and platforms
• Support integration of digital learning experiences when appropriate
• Explore emerging technologies that support learning and engagement
• Collaborate with PromiseStack on educational product initiatives
• Promote responsible and effective technology use

Research & Future Learning

• Monitor trends in education, workforce development, and youth learning
• Research best practices from leading educational institutions and organizations
• Identify opportunities for innovation and continuous improvement
• Explore future-ready skills and learning competencies
• Support evidence-informed educational decision-making

Program Innovation & Development

• Partner with educational and program teams to pilot new initiatives
• Support innovation within PromiseRooted and PromiseConnects
• Develop recommendations that improve educational experiences
• Promote experimentation, creativity, and organizational learning
• Strengthen MAP's educational offerings through innovation

Cross-Divisional Collaboration

• Partner with PromiseStack on educational technology and product development
• Collaborate with PromisePages on literacy innovation and storytelling initiatives
• Support PromiseStudios on educational media and content development
• Work with PromisePrograms to strengthen youth engagement strategies
• Align innovation efforts with organizational priorities

Leadership Responsibilities

The Director provides leadership and oversight for:

Educational Innovation

Responsible for:

• Innovation strategy
• Future learning initiatives
• Educational transformation
• Learning design

Learning Experience Design

Responsible for:

• Student engagement
• Experiential learning
• Interactive learning
• Program innovation

Educational Technology

Responsible for:

• Learning technologies
• Digital learning tools
• Educational platforms
• Emerging technologies

Research & Development

Responsible for:

• Trend analysis
• Innovation research
• Pilot initiatives
• Best practices

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in education, instructional design, educational technology, curriculum development, innovation management, youth development, or related fields
• Strong understanding of learning science and educational best practices
• Experience developing innovative educational programs or initiatives
• Excellent communication and leadership abilities
• Strategic and creative problem-solving skills
• Passion for innovation, education, and youth success

Why This Role Matters

The future belongs to learners who can adapt, create, collaborate, and think critically.

Educational innovation helps young people prepare for a rapidly changing world.

The Director of Educational Innovation helps ensure that MAP continuously explores new possibilities for learning while creating experiences that are engaging, meaningful, and future-focused.

This role helps transform great ideas into opportunities that expand what is possible for the children and families we serve.

Success Measures

• Development of innovative learning initiatives
• Student engagement and participation
• Successful implementation of pilot programs
• Strength of educational innovation strategies
• Adoption of new learning approaches and tools
• Continuous improvement of educational experiences

Leadership Participation

The Director of Educational Innovation is expected to:

• Attend divisional leadership meetings
• Conduct regular check-ins with direct reports
• Participate in educational planning and strategy discussions
• Support cross-divisional collaboration and organizational priorities

Volunteer Expectations

• Approximately 5–10 hours per week
• Minimum 6-month commitment required
• Maintain timely and professional communication
• Collaborate through MAP systems and communication platforms
• Support MAP's safeguarding standards, mission, and organizational values
• Foster an inclusive, supportive, and mission-driven culture

What You'll Gain

• Leadership experience within a growing education-focused nonprofit organization
• Opportunity to shape innovative learning experiences for youth
• Collaboration with educators, technologists, designers, and nonprofit leaders
• Professional references and letters of recommendation
• Meaningful impact supporting children and families experiencing housing instability

How to Apply

Interested candidates should apply directly through Idealist and include their resume and cover letter.

Please highlight experience involving education, innovation, instructional design, educational technology, curriculum development, youth development, or related disciplines.

Help create the future of learning by designing innovative educational experiences that inspire curiosity, creativity, confidence, and opportunity for children and families through Mentor A Promise.

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with our organization. At this time, volunteer opportunities are limited to individuals based in the United States due to legal, safeguarding, data-privacy, and programmatic requirements. We appreciate your interest in our mission and your understanding of these constraints.