School Leadership and Innovation Partner

Opportunity: School Leadership and Innovation Partner, NYC (Full-Time)
Join Us in Rethinking What Education Can Be
At Big Picture Learning, we believe young people thrive when they are known, trusted, and empowered to design lives of their own choosing. For nearly three decades, we’ve worked alongside schools and systems to make that belief a reality through student-centered, real-world learning.We are practitioners. We are story-doers. We work with urgency and heart. And we are looking for a School Leadership & Innovation Partner who wants their work to matter.

About the Role
The School Leadership & Innovation Partner plays a key role in advancing BPL’s mission by supporting BPL’s efforts to influence student-driven career exploration at scale across NYC. School Partners support leaders and educators in providing student-driven learning opportunities, refining practice and driving school improvement, while modeling continuous improvement, relationship- and trust-building, collaboration, and creative solution-making. This NYC-based School Partner will join a community of
dynamic educators and advocates for youth voice and opportunity, as well as a broader team of coaches supporting schools across the country.. This position is ideal for someone who thrives in a collaborative, entrepreneurial environment and is energized by building systems, relationships, and solutions that help leaders, educators and youth flourish.

At BPL, roles are not silos — they are contributions to a shared vision. You will work alongside passionate colleagues across the country who believe deeply in reimagining education and the power of young people.

Role Overview
● Location: Hybrid, New York City based
● Reports To: Director, New York State
● Employment Type: Full-Time
● Travel: The majority of the BPL organization is fully remote, but our NYC-based team follows a hybrid schedule which includes working from home, coaching schools in person and virtually (schedule varies), and attending other in-person events (as necessary).

What You’ll Do
Primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
● Provide school and leadership coaching and professional development to teachers and principals, primarily in schools across NYC in support of BPL's key design elements, and in particular its student-centered approach to real-world learning.
● Support BPL’s partnership in NYCPS’ career-connected learning initiatives FutureReady NYC and the Career Readiness and Modern Youth Apprenticeship program (CRMYA), including:
● Providing coaching, technical support and on-site support to school teams to meet Key Implementation Measures (KIMs) around FutureReady pillars of career-connected instruction, work-based learning, personalized advising, early college credentials, and financial literacy
● Collaborate with coaches from other organizations through regular coach huddles and city-wide Community of Practice events
● Maintain records detailing coaching support, schools’ KIM progress, and notable achievements and challenges.
● Engage regularly in detailed planning, data review and analysis, and reporting via meetings, written reports, and digital tools
● Plan and facilitate activities to support the cultivation and maintenance of a community of practitioners implementing real-world learning programming, including trainings and convenings for school leaders and others
● Develop and support networking efforts to fulfill BPL’s mission, vision and priorities
● Participate in organization-wide trainings, meetings, and events, including monthly staff meetings and annual BPL Conferences
● Collaborate proactively and productively with BPL NY team, other School Partners, and other staff or team, as needed
● Collaborate with colleagues to address organizational changes needed to support successful implementation of new initiatives, including structures, processes, and systems
● Willingness to travel across NYC on a weekly basis for coaching visits to schools across the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Manhattan, as well as bi-weekly in-person meetings with BPL team and broader FutureReady partners.
● Willingness to travel across the country 2-3 times per year for BPL conferences and other coaching/professional learning engagements
● Support efforts to advance principles of JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion) and
antiracism at micro (self), meso (organization), and macro (systems-level/external) level
● Other responsibilities may be assigned based on organizational need and individual skills and interests

Qualifications & Experience
● BA, ideally with an MEd, MBA, MPA, or related advanced degree. However, as research demonstrates that education requirements can be a deterrent for qualified candidates to apply and can perpetuate gender and racial disparities, we encourage all candidates with the professional experiences and leadership qualities outlined in this position specification to apply.
● 5+ years’ experience in educational leadership and/or facilitating professional
development/coaching.
● Experience working in/with NYC Public Schools, and navigating NYC academic policy, strongly preferred.
● Highly organized and detail-oriented project manager
● Experience/familiarity with BPL’s approach to student-centered real-world learning
● Documented track record of success working with schools/teams serving:
○ Students growing up in poverty
○ Students of color
○ Students with Learning Disabilities
○ Immigrant Youth & English Language Learners
○ Learners dealing with trauma
● Steadfast belief that students should be at the center of their own learning and that education (in particular public education) is due for a reorientation that allows students to be confident in the pursuit of their own passions and interests
● Provide school and leadership coaching and professional development to teachers and principals, primarily in schools across NYC in support of BPL's key design elements, and in particular its student-centered approach to real-world learning.
● Support BPL’s partnership in NYCPS’ career-connected learning initiatives FutureReady NYC and the Career Readiness and Modern Youth Apprenticeship program (CRMYA), including:
○ Providing coaching, technical support and on-site support to school teams to meet Key Implementation Measures (KIMs) around FutureReady pillars of career-connected
instruction, work-based learning, personalized advising, early college credentials, and
financial literacy
○ Collaborate with coaches from other organizations through regular coach huddles and city-wide Community of Practice events
○ Maintain records detailing coaching support, schools’ KIM progress, and notable
achievements and challenges.
● Engage regularly in detailed planning, data review and analysis, and reporting via meetings, written reports, and digital tools
● Plan and facilitate activities to support the cultivation and maintenance of a community of practitioners implementing real-world learning programming, including trainings and convenings for school leaders and others.
● Strong internal accountability (especially important due to the remote nature of BPL’s work and our virtual teams), comfort juggling multiple projects and prioritizing tasks, and the ability to work remotely in distributed teams across multiple time zones
● Ability to exhibit entrepreneurial behaviors, take ownership, and see tasks and ideas through from conception to implementation
● Demonstrates strong attention to detail and organizational systems, including the ability to manage complex, multi-stakeholder calendars and schedules across teams and school sites, while maintaining clear documentation and tracking progress over time.
● Skilled in reviewing, analyzing, and synthesizing data into well-organized, actionable insights that support planning, decision-making, and continuous improvement.
● Excellent interpersonal communication skills (speaking, writing, listening) in person and virtually
● Commitment to continuous improvement, a relentless approach to growth and learning, and an openness to constructive critical feedback
● Collegial and empathetic approach to working with others, while bringing a creative, flexible and thoughtful approach to your work
● Ability to use - or quickly learn - multiple tech platforms (i.e., Google Suite, Salesforce, Asana)

Mission & Mindset
Big Picture Learning team members are united by a deep belief that students belong at the center of their own learning and that education must evolve to empower young people to pursue lives of passion, purpose, and possibility. A commitment to advancing this work with urgency and care is essential.
As a fully virtual organization operating across time zones, we value colleagues who are self-directed, internally accountable, and comfortable navigating complexity. Those who thrive at BPL move work forward in the face of uncertainty, take thoughtful risks, and carry ideas from conception through implementation.
Culture matters here. We prioritize connection and mutual support, ensuring every staff member feels valued and equipped to grow — anchored by strong supervision, collaborative peers, and clear agreements about how we work together. The work is demanding and mission-driven, and we approach it with creativity, empathy, and joy.

Compensation
The starting annual salary range for this position is:
$86,997 - $94,674 (this includes a 15% NYC geo-differential).
Big Picture Learning is committed to fair and transparent compensation practices. Salary offers are determined based on relevant experience, skill transferability, and assessed readiness for the role. This structured approach allows us to account for the unique strengths and backgrounds each candidate brings while maintaining consistency across the organization.
To promote equity and reduce bias in compensation decisions, offers are determined using this criteria-based framework and are not subject to negotiation. We are committed to placing candidates as accurately as possible at the time of hire.
To ensure equitable and accurate placement, all new hires participate in a six-month salary review. This review considers initial contributions, growth, and development in the role, and may result in an adjustment to better align compensation with demonstrated performance and responsibilities.
Our approach is designed to provide clarity, fairness, and opportunities for growth over time.

Benefits & Investment in People
At BPL, we believe our staff should feel supported, valued, and able to thrive — personally and professionally. Our benefits reflect that commitment.

Health & Financial Security
● Fully paid medical, vision, and dental coverage
● Fully paid life insurance, short-term disability, and long-term disability coverage
● Pension plan with a 5% employer contribution, 100% vested after six months
Time to Rest & Recharge
● 8 weeks of paid parental leave and 4 weeks of paid medical leave (after 12 months)
● 13 paid holidays, + 2 religious floater holidays
● Organization-wide holiday break (Christmas Eve through New Year’s Day)
● 11 personal/sick days, plus a paid birthday
● 18 days of paid vacation, accrued at 1.5 days per month beginning the first full month
● 3 annual “Chill & Recharge Days” dedicated to supporting work-life balance and intentional
focus on health and wellness
Tools & Remote Work Support
● Company-issued laptop
● Home office equipment (printer/scanner/copier and supplies)
● Cell phone coverage (company plan or up to $400 toward a new device)
● Coverage of TSA Pre-Check, CLEAR, or Global Entry enrollment fees
● Reimbursement for approved organizational travel

How to Apply
We welcome thoughtful applications from candidates excited about advancing Big Picture Learning’smission.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with a final deadline of May 12th, 2026.
Desired Start Date: July 1st, 2026
To apply, please click below and submit the following materials:
● A thoughtful, tailored cover letter (no more than 2 pages)
● Resume or CV
● Contact information for at least two professional references

Click Here To Apply
Eligibility Requirement: U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Residency
Please note that this position requires the candidate to be a U.S. Citizen or a permanent resident with pre-approved work authorization. Due to the nature of this role and to comply with federal regulations and/or contractual obligations, only citizens and residents are eligible for employment. Proof of U.S. citizenship/residency will be required as a condition of employment.
Big Picture Learning is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination against and harassment of any employee or any applicant for employment because of race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, veteran status (special disabled veterans, disabled veterans and Vietnam-era veterans), or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal or state law. We are committed to providing an inclusive and
welcoming environment for all members of our staff, clients, volunteers, subcontractors, vendors, and clients; and all qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.