Staff Associate

About the role

The Assistant Director of the Science of Reading Center at SUNY New Paltz will provide critical leadership and operational support to advance the Center’s mission of improving literacy outcomes across New York State and nationally. Reporting to the Executive Director, this role will lead the implementation, partnerships, operations, and customer success initiatives for the Center’s programs—particularly its expanding portfolio of Science of Reading–aligned microcredentials. The position is ideal for a mission-driven professional with strong experience in education program implementation, stakeholder engagement, and operational excellence.

Responsibilities

• Program Implementation & Operations
  • Oversee day-to-day operations and delivery of microcredential programs, webinars, and professional development workshops.
  • Coordinate onboarding and implementation of new group enrollments and strategic partnerships.
  • Create and maintain internal documentation and customer-facing implementation guides (e.g., onboarding manuals, “How-To” resources).
  • Partner with SUNY departments (IT, Records, Accounting, Instructional Technology) to facilitate smooth participant experiences and resolve user issues.
  • Serve as primary liaison to Thinkific or other relevant platforms to represent SUNY New Paltz user needs and ensure technical functionality.
• Partnership Management & Customer Success
  • Serve as primary point of contact for existing contracted partnerships with schools, BOCES, and other organizations.
  • Support implementation activities in new states (e.g., Maryland) by coordinating logistics, communications, and documentation and building relationships.
  • Ensure high-quality user and partner experiences, proactively identifying and addressing issues to improve satisfaction and outcomes.
  • Track partner engagement, feedback, and impact to inform continuous improvement and annual reporting.
• Business Development & Strategic Growth
  • Identify, track, and follow up with leads for potential partnerships, including schools, districts, and state education agencies.
  • Represent the Center at conferences and professional gatherings to promote microcredentials and forge new partnerships.
  • Collaborate with SUNY New Paltz marketing and communications teams to expand visibility and drive enrollment.
  • Support development and implementation of outreach strategies aligned with the Center’s growth goals.
• Data & Reporting
  • Manage metrics to measure program success for the Center and individual clients.
  • Design and maintain dashboards and regular reports on enrollment trends, user experience, technical issues, and program success metrics.
  • Share data insights with Center leadership, SUNY administration, funders, and other stakeholders.
  • Contribute to the development of KPIs to track Center growth and program effectiveness.

Qualifications

• Minimum Requirements
  • At least 5 years of experience in program implementation, literacy instruction, or operations.
  • Demonstrated experience managing complex projects, clients, and partnerships.
  • Commitment to equity in literacy education and supporting diverse learners.
  • Familiarity with microcredentials, online learning platforms (e.g., LMSs, cloud platforms), and digital learning systems.
• Preferred Qualifications
  • Knowledge of the science of reading and evidence-based literacy instruction practices.
  • Experience supporting educators, schools, or districts in implementing new curricula, programs, or professional learning initiatives.
  • Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
  • Master’s degree in Education, Literacy, Educational Leadership, or a related field.