About inquirED

inquirED was founded by teachers to bring rigorous and joyful learning to every student. We’re a fast-growing start-up, serving more educators and students every day. Inkwell, our integrated ELA and social studies curriculum, brings two core subjects studies together into one coherent instructional experience that builds knowledge and literacy skills, saves time and resources, and supports meaningful learning for both students and teachers. Inquiry Journeys, our elementary social studies curriculum, is used in schools and districts across the country to help students develop deep social studies knowledge and the inquiry skills essential for a thriving democracy. Join our team of designers, advocates, guides, thought leaders, and makers to help us make an even greater impact. Together, we can shape the future of education.

About the role

Description

The Role

We are seeking a senior strategic leader who is an expert in ELA state adoptions and deeply understands what products must demonstrate to win—across standards, rubrics, research, and political context.

This role owns our 50-state ELA adoption strategy and serves as the internal authority on adoption readiness. You will translate state requirements into clear guidance for Product, Academic, Sales, and Marketing—ensuring we pursue the right opportunities, with the right positioning, at the right time.

This is not a project management role. It is a strategy, influence, and decision-making role with real authority.

Key Responsibilities

1. State Adoption Strategy (Primary)

• Own and maintain a 50-state ELA adoption roadmap, including:
• • Adoption cycles, timelines, rubrics, and decision-makers
  • Political, standards, technology, and policy dynamics that impact outcomes
  • Prioritization of high-impact adoption states and non-adoption states, including rationale, product costs and impact, and potential ROI
• Translate state standards and adoption criteria into:
• • Go-to-market guidance for Sales and Marketing
  • Clear product expectations for Product and Academic teams
• Advise leadership on go / no-go decisions based on strategic fit and product readiness

This role goes beyond tracking calendars—it shapes where and how we compete.

2. RFP & Proposal Ownership

• Serve as the ELA content and compliance owner for all major state and district RFPs
• Partner with Sales to:
• • Decide which RFPs to pursue
  • Define win themes and competitive differentiation
• Coordinate with RFP and Standards Associate to build and maintain repeatable systems, including:
• • RFP response libraries
  • Evidence maps (standards alignment, research base, DEI, MTSS, accessibility, etc.)

Quarterback large submissions even when not writing every response directly

3. External Relationships & Influence

• Build and maintain relationships with:
• • State Departments of Education
  • Adoption review committee members
  • Regional service centers
  • Influential literacy organizations and advisors
• Represent inquirED in:
• • Vendor briefings
  • Adoption showcases
  • State hearings and public review processes

This is quiet influence, not lobbying—but it materially affects outcomes.

4. Product & Internal Readiness

• Partner closely with Product and Academic teams to ensure:
• • Adoption-ready submissions
  • Clear, defensible alignment documentation
  • Known gaps are identified before reviews begin
• Act as the internal voice of the states by advising leadership on:
• • Where the product is strong
  • Where adoption risk exists
  • When not to pursue an adoption due to misalignment

5. Cross-Functional Leadership

• Act as the single source of truth for ELA state adoption strategy
• Align Sales, Product, Academic, and Marketing around a shared state strategy
• Train Sales on adoption-specific messaging and positioning

Requirements

Deep experience with ELA state adoptions (publisher, edtech, or state-facing role)

Proven expertise in:

• ELA standards and alignment
• Adoption rubrics and review processes
• Research-based instructional criteria (e.g., Science of Reading)
• Strong cross-functional leadership skills
• Ability to influence without authority and operate at executive level
• Comfort navigating long sales cycles and political complexity

Why Work For Us

• Health & 401K: Employee-covered health care and retirement match
• Flexible PTO & Company Closures: Flexible PTO and 12+ observed days off.
• Chances to Connected: Biannual company retreats and optional local meetups 
• Remote Opportunities:  Most positions are remote, supporting work-from-home flexibility  
• Perks and Stipend: Technology package provided, plus a home office stipend
• Learning and Development: Educational and development opportunities, monthly Brunch and Learns, and more!

The base compensation range for this role is $136,950–195,050. Total compensation for this role also includes a full benefits package. This compensation range and title may be adjusted based on actual experience.
Must be U.S. based.