Instructional Designer Lead (Volunteer – MAP Education Programs)

Instructional Designer Lead (Volunteer – MAP Education Programs)

Organization: Mentor A Promise (MAP)

Division: Education & Learning Design

Location: Remote and/or New York City

Type: Volunteer (Unpaid)

About Mentor A Promise

Mentor A Promise (MAP) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting children and youth ages 5–18 experiencing housing instability in New York City. Through MAP Roots (in-person programming), MAP Connect (online programming), literacy development, academic enrichment, social-emotional learning, creative expression, and community-centered mentorship, MAP creates safe, consistent, and empowering spaces where young people can thrive.

MAP’s Education & Learning Design Division ensures that all instructional materials, curricula, enrichment activities, and learning experiences across MAP programs are high-quality, culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and accessible for diverse learners.

About the Role

We are seeking an Instructional Designer Lead to guide curriculum design, instructional strategy, and learning experience development for MAP’s education programs. This role oversees curriculum creation for MAP Roots, MAP Connect, literacy programming, enrichment workshops, and cross-divisional learning initiatives.

The Instructional Designer Lead will manage a small team of instructional designers, collaborate with program directors, and ensure all learning materials reflect MAP’s mission and the needs of youth living in shelters and temporary housing.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead instructional design and curriculum development across MAP Roots, MAP Connect, and enrichment programs.
• Create curriculum maps, lesson plans, learning frameworks, and developmentally appropriate instructional guides.
• Supervise a team of instructional designers, reviewing deliverables and ensuring consistency and quality.
• Ensure all curricula are trauma-informed, culturally responsive, disability-inclusive, and aligned with MAP’s youth-centered values.
• Collaborate with Program Directors, literacy specialists, enrichment instructors, and mentors to develop targeted learning goals.
• Support the creation of literacy, SEL, academic, and creativity-based lesson materials.
• Review and refine curriculum materials based on feedback from staff, youth, and partners.
• Develop professional development materials for MAP instructors, volunteers, and mentors.
• Ensure alignment between curriculum, program outcomes, and evaluation tools.
• Check and respond to emails daily, with responses within 48 hours.
• Take responsibility for performance improvement by incorporating data, student feedback, and leadership input.

Qualifications

• Strong background in instructional design, curriculum development, learning sciences, or K–12 education.
• Experience designing curricula for diverse learning environments (afterschool, enrichment, community-based, or school settings).
• Deep understanding of inclusive learning design, trauma-informed practices, and culturally responsive education.
• Experience leading teams, managing projects, or supervising designers/educators.
• Excellent writing, communication, and organization skills.
• Comfort working in a fast-paced, mission-driven, youth-centered environment.

Bonus Skills (not required)

• Experience with NYC DOE standards or community-based education.
• Familiarity with literacy development, SEL, and enrichment content areas.
• Experience designing curriculum for multilingual learners or students with disabilities.
• Bilingual or multilingual abilities (especially Spanish or Haitian Creole).

Commitment

• Volunteer role requiring 5–10 hours per week.
• Minimum 6-month commitment preferred.
• Remote with optional in-person collaboration in New York City.

What You’ll Gain

• Leadership experience overseeing curriculum design for a community-based youth program.
• Opportunities to shape educational materials that support youth experiencing homelessness.
• Collaboration with educators, mentors, literacy teams, and MAP program leadership.
• A portfolio of instructional design work that demonstrates impact and equity-driven practice.
• Professional development, mentorship, and leadership opportunities.
• Letters of recommendation and professional references.

Application Process

Please send your resume, LinkedIn profile, and a brief statement of interest to hr@mentorapromise.org with the subject line: Instructional Designer Lead – MAP Education Programs.

You may also apply directly here:

https://forms.gle/ptgy2zBZXJB1q7GV8

Design with purpose — help build inclusive, engaging learning experiences that uplift youth and strengthen MAP’s educational impact across New York City.