Innovation Manager

JOB IDENTIFICATION:

Job Title: Innovation Manager 

Department: Innovation Department 

Supervisor Title: Curriculum Director 

POSITION PURPOSE AND SUMMARY:

The Innovation Manager is responsible for overseeing and driving the development and successful implementation of The Hidden Genius Project’s educational curriculum and pedagogical vision. This role ensures that curricular frameworks, teaching materials, and instructional strategies are effectively executed, aligning with the organization’s mission to empower Black male youth.

The Innovation Manager will lead the innovation of the existing curriculum and the creation of new educational content that reflects the evolving tech landscape while remaining culturally responsive and student-centered. This role also provides critical support and coaching to Innovation and Youth Educators, equipping them with the necessary skills to deliver transformative learning experiences.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Essential Functions:

Curriculum Development & Innovation

• Lead the refinement and expansion of The Hidden Genius Project’s curriculum to align with emerging industry trends, best practices, and student needs.

• Ensure all curriculum materials and instructional strategies are culturally responsive, engaging, and empower Black male youth.

• Collaborate with national and regional teams to standardize and enhance curricular implementation across all sites.

• Continuously evaluate and iterate on curriculum effectiveness based on student outcomes and educator feedback.

Educator Development & Support

• Coach and support Innovation and Youth Educators to strengthen their instructional practice and classroom impact.

• Develop and implement professional development initiatives, training sessions, and ongoing learning opportunities for educators.

• Ensure all educators are equipped with the skills and resources needed to foster student success in technology creation, entrepreneurship, and leadership.

Cross-Team Collaboration & Strategy

• Partner with the Pedagogy Director, Curriculum Director, and other key stakeholders to align instructional strategies with organizational goals.

• Support the integration of technology and innovative teaching practices to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes.

• Maintain a pulse on the evolving tech and education landscapes to inform strategic curricular decisions.

Non-Essential Functions:

• Support additional organizational initiatives, community engagement efforts, and national programming as needed.

• Contribute to ongoing curriculum development and refinement.

• Assist with event planning, logistics, and facilitation.

General All-Staff Responsibilities: 

• Engage and mentor youth participants and colleagues through hands-on learning experiences.

• Foster a safe, inclusive, and engaging learning environment for all program participants.

• Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to optimize program delivery.

• Participate in professional development and continuous learning opportunities.

• Support a broad range of operational tasks outside of the standard job scope to ensure youth success, including logistical support, crisis response, and creative problem-solving.

• Other responsibilities as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Required:

• A minimum of 3 years of experience in curriculum or pedagogy development or educational leadership, preferably in technology or related sectors.

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience in Education, Instructional Design, Youth Development, or a related field. 

• Demonstrated experience in managing teams.

Desired:

• Master’s degree in Education, Curriculum Development, or a related field. Or equivalent work experience.

• Teaching Credential or Master’s Degree in Education, Curriculum Development, or a similar field

• Certifications or Specialized Training (preferred) – Additional certifications in culturally responsive teaching, teaching Computer Science and/or programming languages, instructional coaching, or youth development

• 5–7 Years of Relevant Technical Experience – Experience in teaching, instructional coaching, or curriculum development, with a focus on implementing and evaluating culturally responsive pedagogy and educational strategies for youth of color.

• 3 Years in a Leadership or Supervisory Role – Demonstrated experience managing and supporting a team, ideally in roles that involve overseeing professional development, coaching, or training programs.

ROLE OVERVIEW:

Role Location: (Site-Eastern Region)

Status: Exempt

Schedule: 40 hours per week, starting April 2025, including evenings and weekends as needed.

Manages: Employees, Interns, and volunteers (including attraction and coordination tasks) 

Years of experience: 3 years required and 5 years preferred 

Benefit Eligibility: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401k (up to 4% match), annual professional development 

Working relationships:  At each location, site team members work closely with their immediate team, supervisor, and key leadership to support daily operations and program success. They also connect with colleagues in similar roles across different locations to share best practices and strengthen our collective impact. Central team members provide organization-wide support, collaborating across departments and locations to ensure seamless operations and strategic growth. Together, every team member plays a vital role in advancing our mission.

Our organization operates within a dynamic structure that supports both site-based and central team roles. Site-based team members play a key role in our 15-month youth program, with an immersive summer schedule (Monday-Friday, between 7 AM - 6 PM for seven weeks) and a structured fall schedule that includes full-time hours, one evening per week, and one Saturday per month. Meanwhile, central team members maintain a Monday-Friday schedule (typically between 7 AM - 6 PM), supporting organizational needs through strategic initiatives, cross-functional collaboration, and efforts beyond core job duties. Regardless of role, every team member contributes to our shared mission and the success of our Geniuses.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The Hidden Genius Project operates in a dynamic and flexible work setting to best support our mission and the needs of our youth. We are flexible but require an onsite commitment for the first year of employment. 

Site-Based Roles: Staff in these roles work from programming locations within local communities. These locations have traditionally included school sites, faith-based institutions, and other commercial or community spaces designated for youth development programs. Site-based roles require adaptability to varying facilities and settings, ensuring a safe and engaging environment for program delivery. Site-based roles have the flexibility to work remotely as approved by supervisors and within our workplace policy and program needs. 

Central Team: Primarily based between our headquarters in Oakland and our Los Angeles site in CA, both feature a modern office setting. While many responsibilities are managed from a central location, team members have the flexibility to work remotely as needed and within our workplace policy. Remote work arrangements require supervisor approval, proactive communication, self-discipline, and the ability to collaborate effectively across time zones and locations. 

General Work Conditions:

• Requires occasional travel for site visits, events, and meetings.

• Collaboration with staff, partners, and youth may extend beyond traditional work hours to meet programmatic and organizational demands.

• Flexibility is key in this role, as responsibilities may shift based on programmatic needs and youth engagement.

BENEFITS OF THE ROLE:

• Dynamic, collaborative, and purpose-driven work environment.

• Meaningful opportunity to impact the lives of Black male youth and other youth of color.

• Entrepreneurial organization with opportunities for innovation and leadership.

• Direct connection to industry professionals and networking opportunities.

• Competitive compensation and benefits package.

• Opportunity to contribute to the growth of a national nonprofit.

COMPENSATION:

Salary and benefits will be competitive and commensurate with experience.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Employees may occasionally climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

• Frequent standing, walking, and sitting are required.

• Regularly grasp objects, talk, and/or hear.

• Occasionally lift up to 50 pounds; regularly lift up to 10 pounds.

• Vision abilities required for maintaining safety in programming spaces.

• Ability to travel and supervise youth transportation as needed.

• National (and possibly international) travel is required.

• Non-traditional work demands: The nonprofit sector and our commitment to youth development require flexibility beyond a standard work structure, often necessitating engagement in unexpected situations and responsibilities.