Assistant Director of Literacy

University of Florida; Gainesville (FL); On-site; USD 115,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Florida Lastinger Center for Learning seeks an Assistant Director of Literacy to lead literacy initiatives, supervise managers, and advance evidence-based professional learning for teachers and districts.

This time-limited role emphasizes collaboration with cross-functional teams, development of programs and endorsements, and strategic partnerships to improve kindergarten readiness and reading outcomes from PreK through 12 across Florida.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in an appropriate area and two years of appropriate experience; or a bachelor's degree in an appropriate area of specialization and four years of relevant experience.
• A valid state of Florida driver's license is required.

Responsibilities

• Lead team of managers to integrate literacy initiatives.
• Schedule and facilitate recurring meetings with teams to support ongoing projects.
• Work with the Director, Early Childhood and Literacy to create an onboarding plan to support the successful transition of new employees.
• Work with the Director, Early Childhood and Literacy and Literacy Managers to plan and implement the vision of the Literacy Team and Mission of the Center.
• Oversee the delivery of high-quality professional development, primarily through online instruction and virtual sessions, with occasional in-person facilitation as project needs require.

Skills

Organizational skills

Literacy coaching

Educational administration

Education

Master's degree in an appropriate area

Bachelor's degree in an appropriate area of specialization

Job description

Assistant Director of Literacy

Job No: 541899

Work Type: Full Time

Location: Main Campus (Gainesville, FL)

Categories: Education/Training/Instructional Design

Department: 18300000 - ED-LASTINGER CENTER

Classification Title

AST DIR, Educ/Training Prgms

Minimum Requirements

Master's degree in an appropriate area and two years of appropriate experience; or a bachelor's degree in an appropriate area of specialization and four years of relevant experience.

Job Description

The University of Florida Lastinger Center for Learning's mission is to improve the quality of teaching, learning, and childcare. We research, develop, and scale equitable educational innovations for adults and children that put all learners on trajectories for lifelong success. Specifically, the Center targets kindergarten readiness, 3rd grade reading proficiency, and algebra proficiency as critical milestones in children's educational trajectory that are predictive of success in school and life. The Center works at the nexus of research, practice, and policy to develop sustainable systems that leverage educational technologies and improve the implementation of research-based practices. Housed in one of the nation's elite public research universities, the Center operates as a dynamic, entrepreneurial workplace focused on executing UF's service mission to strengthen the human condition and improve the quality of life. The Lastinger Center is committed to attracting, hiring, and retaining a dynamic and diverse team.

Responsibilities

Supervision

• Lead team of managers to integrate literacy initiatives.
• Schedule and facilitate recurring meetings with teams to support ongoing projects.
• Work with the Director, Early Childhood and Literacy to create an onboarding plan to support the successful transition of new employees.
• Work with the Director, Early Childhood and Literacy and Literacy Managers to plan and implement the vision of the Literacy Team and Mission of the Center.

Project Management

• Work with the Organizational Excellence and Products teams to ensure research-based products are created and delivered supporting adult learning principles.
• Oversee the delivery of high-quality professional development, primarily through online instruction and virtual sessions, with occasional in-person facilitation as project needs require.
• Guide the creation of research-based content in early learning and literacy.
• Identify development opportunities and communicate them with the Director, Early Childhood and Literacy, as appropriate.
• Facilitate strategic conversations with current partners to gain intelligence and contribute to proposal development focused on a 1 to 5-year horizon.
• Support delivery of content-based professional learning experiences grounded in evidence including online instruction, coaching, literacy matrix, literacy micro-credential, science of reading and small group based on critical content with partners.
• Guide the design and ongoing maintenance of state-approved endorsement, certification, and micro-credential programs, including competency alignment, assessment design, and facilitator preparation.

Literacy Content Expertise and Team Coordination across the Lastinger Center

• Provide literacy content expertise and consultation on the design and build-out of the Center's online learning platform.
• Provide content insight and expertise on the development of other literacy products offered to school systems, school and district leaders, literacy providers, coalitions, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies.
• Serve as a content reviewer for literacy professional learning (PL) and technical assistance(TA) materials, verifying accuracy, alignment to the science of reading, and consistency with current state standards.
• Review and approve literacy content developed by team members and external content partners before it is released to districts and schools.
• Resolve content questions escalated by Literacy Team Managers.
• Serve as liaison between the Literacy Team and executive leadership.
• Attend and contribute to meetings, retreats, and focus groups, held virtually or in person as needed.
• Work in partnership with teams across the center to ensure processes and systems are established and maintained.

Project Analysis

• Work with the Director, Early Childhood and Literacy and Research and Evaluation to track progress toward quarterly Objectives and Key Results (OKRs).
• Collaborate with the Research and Evaluation Sr. Manager and Director, Early Childhood and Literacy, on gathering metrics for objectives and key results (OKRs).
• Stay abreast of changes and share information from the field to guide ongoing refinement of products and services.
• Work with Partnership Manager to share information about partner progress with the Director, Early Childhood and Literacy, to ensure success of partners.
• Take on a variety of tasks to drive and assure usage of Lastinger products, including marketing consultation.
• Schedule for meeting deliverables (dates, people, materials, other supports).
• Disseminate research findings on Literacy products.
• Assist the Director, Early Childhood and Literacy with external partnerships and fundraising.
• Assist the Director, Early Childhood and Literacy with federal grant proposals.

Other duties as assigned

Expected Salary

$115,000-$130,000

Required Qualifications

Master's degree in an appropriate area and two years of appropriate experience; or a bachelor's degree in an appropriate area of specialization and four years of relevant experience.

A valid state of Florida driver's license is required.

Preferred

• Doctoral degree in literacy/reading, special education, educational leadership, or a related field
• Strong organizational skills
• Experience in educational administration and/or working with school districts
• Expertise in literacy coaching
• Experience conducting literacy professional development
• Expertise in statewide professional learning systems
• Experience designing state-approved endorsement, certification, or micro-credential programs
• Expertise in asynchronous and synchronous online course design for adult learners
• Grounding in adult learning theory and its application to professional learning design
• Strong research and writing skills
• Expertise in literacy instruction across PreK-Grade 12
• Experience as a leader, coach, mentor or facilitator
• Experience with and belief in the value of professional collaboration
• Evidence of ability and willingness to work collaboratively and with a commitment to collegiality
• Demonstrates the following dispositions highly valued by the Lastinger Center: committed, collaborative, culturally attuned, conscious of practice, curious, change agent

Special Instructions to Applicants

This position is time limited and soft funded.

In order to be considered, you must upload your cover letter and resume.

Application must be submitted by 11:55 p.m. (ET) of the posting end date.

Health Assessment Required

No

Applications Close

04 December 2026

Our Commitment

The University of Florida is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

Hiring is contingent on eligibility to work in the U.S. The University of Florida is a public institution and is subject to all requirements under Florida Sunshine and Public Record laws. If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please call 352-392-2477 or the Florida Relay System at 800-955-8771 (TDD) or visit Accessibility at UF.