Program Designer, Curriculum

Merit America is a national nonprofit that creates pathways to family-sustaining careers for Americans stuck in low-wage work. Our fast, flexible solutions are built for working adults: we analyze job postings to identify in-demand, high-paying tech careers, then partner with industry-recognized providers to deliver part-time programs that combine online learning with coaching. Learners are connected with employers such as JPMorgan Chase and Infosys to land higher-earning jobs. Since 2018, we’ve generated a projected $1 billion in near-term wage gains for our learners.

About the role

As a Program Designer at Merit America, you will develop and enhance our learning solutions and program models, creating industry-aligned curricula and frameworks that drive learner success and scalability. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams—including Product, Coaching, Operations, and Admissions—to integrate best practices and data-driven insights into our programs. This exempt role reports to the Director, Program Experience & Innovation and requires a balance of strategic planning and hands-on execution.

Responsibilities

• Curriculum Design & Development (60%):
  • Design, curate, and customize high-quality, end-to-end learning solutions and resources for multiple tracks.
  • Partner with the coaching team to streamline the learner experience through clear objectives, instructions, and feedback mechanisms.
  • Collaborate with third-party content providers to ensure content relevance, scalability, and alignment with industry needs.
  • Regularly update and refine curriculum based on feedback, trends, and data.
  • Integrate best practices into curricula and program models to create effective and engaging learning experiences.
  • Manage subject matter experts and content development tasks as needed.
  • Apply human-centered approaches to enhance learning resources and methods.
• Program Model Development (40%):
  • Develop and implement program models that enhance the learner experience, focusing on innovative and scalable delivery methods.
  • Collaborate with Program Operations to ensure effective communication of curricular updates.
  • Develop and execute strategies for evaluating program effectiveness through data analysis.
  • Design resources and training for internal stakeholders to support effective program delivery.
  • Design experiments to optimize program delivery and engagement, aligning innovation projects with organizational goals.
  • Engage with industry partners and internal data to evolve program offerings.
  • Work with strategic partners to ensure program/curriculum designs are scalable, cost-effective, and aligned with organizational goals.

Skills and Competencies

We encourage candidates from underrepresented groups to apply even if they don’t meet 100% of the qualifications. The following skills are relevant for this role:

• Must-Haves:
  • Innovative Thinking: Propose and implement data-informed projects to address current needs.
  • Project and Data Management: Oversee projects and use data to guide decisions and improvements.
  • Problem-Solving: Apply practical, evidence-based solutions to challenges.
  • Learner-Centered Mindset: Focus on learner success with a flexible and curious approach; coaching experience is beneficial.
  • Curriculum and Program Support: Develop and curate content and assessments for effective, learner-focused experiences.
  • Stakeholder Collaboration: Work effectively with teams and stakeholders to align with organizational goals.
  • Lifelong Learning Commitment: Engage in ongoing professional development to stay current with industry practices.
  • Mission Alignment: Demonstrate commitment to supporting underrepresented adults through education.
  • Values Alignment: Uphold organizational core values in daily work.
  • Teamwork Mentality: Support team success through collaboration and responsibility.
  • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Assist in implementing DEIJ initiatives in programs and curricula.
• Nice-to-Haves:
  • Experience in qualitative and/or quantitative research.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  • Experience developing curriculum for technical careers, including software programming languages.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance (100% paid employee-only coverage).
• Flexible Spending Account and Health Savings Account.
• Dependent care Flexible Spending Account.
• Health Reimbursement Account fully funded by Merit.
• Education and personal development reimbursement.
• Catalog of courses for professional learning and development.
• Short- and long-term disability.
• Unlimited vacation (after a 90-day introductory period).
• Paid Parental Leave and Adoption benefits (after 1 year of employment).
• 11 federally recognized holidays.
• 2-week holiday office closure in December/January.
• 401(k) retirement plan with automatic Merit contribution.
• Wellness benefits and resources.
• Discount perks at work program.
• Phone/technology stipend.
• Home office setup stipend.
• Affinity groups and community-building opportunities.

Eligibility for some benefits may vary based on employment status (full-time or part-time).

Pay

$102,485 per year. Compensation is market-based and benchmarked against similarly sized nonprofits with comparable budgets and locations.

Schedule

Full-time, 4-day work week (Tuesday–Friday).

Location

Remote. Candidates must reside within the 50 U.S. states or District of Columbia and have full authorization to work in the U.S. Merit America does not offer employment visa sponsorship.