Manager, State Lists and Adoptions

Description

Summary/Objective

Leads the successful execution of Reading Horizons' state instructional materials reviews by building scalable systems,

coordinating cross-functional efforts, and ensuring high-quality submissions that expand access to impactful literacy

solutions for educators and students.

Essential Functions

State Review Execution

• Lead the planning, coordination, and execution of state instructional materials submissions from preparation

through final review.

• Develop project plans, coordinate cross-functional contributors, manage timelines, and ensure high-quality

evidence packages are submitted accurately, completely, and on time.

• Partner with the VP of Strategy and Insights to execute state priorities and adoption strategies.

Content and Standards Expertise

• Develop expertise in state literacy instructional materials requirements, evaluation rubrics, and academic

standards.

• Partner with Learning Design, Curriculum and Assessment, Technology, and Research to strengthen

alignments, identify content gaps, and support the development of compelling evidence and appeal

responses.

Review and Appeals Management

• Coordinate organizational responses throughout the review process, including clarification requests, appeals,

Show Cause responses, cure periods, and agency communications.

• Maintain review documentation and ensure timely, consistent communication throughout each review cycle.

Review Intelligence and Continuous Improvement

• Analyze reviewer feedback, scoring trends, agency communications, and submission outcomes to identify

patterns and opportunities for improvement.

• Prepare reports and recommendations that inform future submissions, support cross-functional

improvements, and contribute to organizational learning.

Knowledge Management and Operational Excellence

• Develop and maintain scalable systems that strengthen Reading Horizons' long-term success in state

instructional materials reviews.

• Maintain submission templates, standards crosswalks, evidence libraries, agency contacts, and playbooks that

improve efficiency, preserve institutional knowledge, and increase organizational readiness across adoption

cycles.

What Success Looks Like

In your first 12 months, you will:

• Successfully lead state instructional materials submissions from planning through final determination,

ensuring high-quality, on-time submissions and effective management throughout the review process.

• Build repeatable systems, tools, and documentation that improve efficiency, strengthen institutional

knowledge, and increase organizational readiness for future state opportunities.

• Develop trusted partnerships with internal stakeholders and state agencies that enable effective collaboration

and successful submissions.

• Produce actionable analyses of reviewer feedback, scoring trends, and submission outcomes that drive

continuous improvement across products, processes, and future state reviews.

• Strengthen Reading Horizons' long-term state adoption capability by establishing scalable practices that

improve the organization's ability to compete in future reviews.

• Contribute to expanding educator access to high-quality literacy solutions by enabling successful participation

in state instructional materials reviews.

Requirements

Competencies

All team players at Reading Horizons are expected to demonstrate the following:

• Honor Commitments

• Speak Directly

• Think Team First

• Assume Positive Intent

• Live with Integrity 

Role-specific competencies:

• Be Process-Driven — Create, document, implement, and share systems and scalable processes that support

consistent, high-quality performance. Strong processes are the foundation of organizational effectiveness.

• Look Ahead and Anticipate — Seek to solve problems before they happen by anticipating future issues,

planning for contingencies, and addressing them in advance. Preventing issues is always better than fixing

them.

• Get Clear on Expectations — Create clarity and avoid misunderstandings by discussing expectations upfront.

Set expectations for others and ask when you’re unclear on what they expect of you. End all relevant meetings

with clarity about action items, responsibilities, and due dates.

Required Education and Experience

• Experience with K–12 instructional materials, curriculum evaluation, educational publishing, educational

technology, or state instructional materials review processes.

• Proven ability to manage complex, cross-functional projects and consistently meet critical deadlines.

• Strong analytical, organizational, and written communication skills.

• Demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships and effectively influence cross-functional teams.

• Working knowledge of structured literacy, the Science of Reading, and evidence-based literacy instruction.

• Bachelor's degree in Education, Business, Project Management, Public Policy, or a related field.

Preferred Education and Experience

• Familiarity with Reading Horizons' products, instructional approach, and curriculum portfolio.

• Experience leading or supporting state instructional materials review or adoption processes.

• Experience developing scalable processes, templates, documentation, or knowledge management systems.

Travel Required

Occasional travel may be required for state agency meetings or review-related activities.