---
title: 'Head of Program Design, Innovation Team at DREAM'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/head-of-program-design-innovation-team-dream-new-york-m823b59jedrm'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-10-18'
---

# Head of Program Design, Innovation Team at DREAM

- **Company:** DREAM
- **Location:** New York, NY
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** hybrid
- **Posted:** 2026-10-02
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-10-18
- **Apply:** https://jobs.lever.co/wearedream/daba222b-d468-4768-8020-7c8b82fa292f

## Job description

Originally founded in 1991 as Harlem RBI, DREAM has grown to annually serve more than 2,500 youth across East Harlem and the South Bronx through a network of seven PreK-12, extended-day, extended-year DREAM Charter Schools and community sports-based youth development programs. Through our commitment to rigorous academics, social-emotional learning, deep family and community engagement, and health and wellness, we create lifelong learners who are equipped to fulfill their vision of success in and out of the classroom. We dream big, as well, with an aggressive five-year plan to expand to serve 3,500 students across seven schools—growing our organization’s impact and leveling the playing field for all children. To learn more, visit wearedream.org.

DREAM will develop and scale AI-enabled teaching and learning models designed to expand opportunity for students across the Bronx. Over the next three years, we will partner with 15 schools in the Bronx to help them implement an AI literacy curriculum, use AI tools to accelerate learning, and pursue new school models that prioritize real-world learning and future-ready skills. We will recruit partner schools, provide training and embedded coaching to leaders and teachers, and help educators implement and adapt these practices, curriculum, and tools in their own classrooms. Through rigorous evaluation and continuous improvement, this new initiative aims to improve academic outcomes while creating more time for collaboration, creativity, problem-solving, and other future-ready skills.

## About this Work

The Head of Program Design, Innovation Team will lead the design, development, and continuous improvement of DREAM’s disseminated innovation curriculum and related curricular products. This leader will manage the Innovation Program Design team, setting a clear vision for the use of DREAM’s innovation curriculum, and ensuring that materials are rigorous, polished, branded, and ready for implementation by external partners. The curricular products will include AI fluency, project-based and experiential learning, AI edtech design, and durable skill-building.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced curriculum leader with a strong background in teaching and school leadership, expertise in curriculum development, a record of leading complex cross-functional initiatives, excitement about the evolving field of AI in education, and the ability to translate research and data into strong learning experiences.

## Responsibilities

AI Curriculum and Team Leadership

- Manage and develop the team responsible for designing DREAM’s disseminated AI and future-ready skills curriculum;
- Provide high-level oversight and feedback on standards, branding, packaging of curricular products to the team, for turnkey-readiness to external partners;
- Write AI and future-ready skills curriculum, modeling the highest standards of execution for the team;
- Establish metrics, monitor outcomes, and use data to assess impact, drive continuous improvement, and inform strategic decision-making.
- Teach and model how to use DREAM’s AI and future-ready skills curriculum in the classroom;
- Communicate a clear vision for the use of our AI and future-ready skills curriculum;
- Stay up-to-the-minute on AI and future-ready skills in education, including peer-reviewed research, identified best practices, and relevant political influences, translating that knowledge into curriculum design and strategy.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

- Work closely with technology developers throughout the product design and development process;
- Collaborate with the Implementation Team to integrate curricular content into Convening playbooks and learning experiences for our AI partners;
- Coordinate with external academic researchers to study the effectiveness of DREAM’s AI and future-ready skills implementation and apply findings to curriculum and program improvement.

Other responsibilities related to the role as assigned.

## Qualifications

- Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in Education or a related field preferred;
- Minimum 8 years of experience in education, including experience as a teacher, required;
- Minimum 4 years of experience in people and team leadership on a Network Curriculum Team at a large Charter Management Organization or at a corporate curriculum provider, required;
- Experience producing high quality curriculum at scale, required;
- Experience in research (such as evidence-based curriculum and randomized control trials), preferred;
- Content expertise in AI literacy, project-based learning, experiential learning, the use of tech to accelerate learning, and high impact tutoring;
- Clear vision for a high standard of excellence in curriculum products, with the ability to polish and package curriculum for dissemination to partners;
- Demonstrated success managing or developing teams;
- Ability to stay up-to-date on AI as it evolves and to use data to inform decisions and improve curriculum;
- Exceptional attention to detail, superb follow-through, and the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet tight deadlines;
- Ability to navigate complexity and ambiguity;
- Strong collaborative, interpersonal, and communication skills;
- Deep commitment to DREAM’s mission, values, and graduate vision, with a strong belief in the power of families as partners and leaders.

## Benefits and Paid Time Off

We offer comprehensive benefits including:

- Flexible Medical Health Plans,  subsidizing the majority of costs for the employee, their spouse/domestic partner and children;
- The ability to select between a variety of medical plans according to what best suits the employee’s needs;
- Dental and vision plans;
- Disability benefits;
- Life insurance;
- Up to 12 weeks fully paid of Parental Leave;
- Flexible spending account options;
- Pre-tax commuter benefits (parking and transit);
- Fitness and entertainment discounts;
- A variety of support through our employee assistance program (EAP);
- A 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching up to 4% after one year of employment;
- Access to a professional development fund;
- Referral bonuses;
- All full-time Network Support employees are eligible for approximately 48 days off throughout the year including holidays, sick days, personal days and summer Fridays;
- Benefits are subject to change.

## Compensation

- DREAM offers a competitive salary commensurate with relevant experience with the potential for an annual performance-based increase. The incoming salary range for this position is $170,000 to $190,000 per year. New hires are typically brought into the organization at a salary closer to the start of the range depending on qualifications, internal equity, and the budgeted amount for the role. All staff are eligible for annual performance-based increases. Because we value staff tenure in each role, we do not currently cap salary ranges.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

At DREAM, diversity, equity, and inclusion are a matter of mission.

From our schools to our playing fields, DREAM is committed to building a team where each individual can bring their full identity and experience to work because representation matters—it enriches our team culture, enhances our ability to innovate, and strengthens our impact in and out of the classroom. DREAM engages staff that represent and appreciate the diversity of our majority Black and Hispanic student body, while working to ensure that our practices are equitable, welcoming, and productive. We are dedicated to creating a world where youth, especially youth of color, have permission to dream—along with the tools and opportunities to make their dreams reality.

Come dream with us.

DREAM Maxims

All Kids Can. This Kid Can. DREAM is Family. Fun is a Serious Value. Teamwork Makes the DREAM Work. Fail. Persist. Exceed. DREAM Big.

Applying to DREAM

We know applying for a new job can be a daunting process. In addition, studies have shown that historically underrepresented individuals often only apply to roles if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We encourage all applications! You may be just the person we need. If you have any questions about your application or interview process, do not hesitate to ask your recruiter; we are here to help!

DREAM provides reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state and local laws. If accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact your recruiter.

If you are a current DREAM employee, please click here to review our Internal Selection Process before applying.

## About DREAM

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: DREAM is a nonprofit organization that provides comprehensive education and youth development programs through a network of free charter schools and community-based programming in East Harlem and the Bronx.
- **Entity Type**: Private (nonprofit)
- **Headquarters**: New York, New York, United States
- **Founded**: 1991
- **Founders**: Founded by a group of volunteers (originally as Harlem RBI); current leadership includes co-CEOs Richard Berlin and Eve Colavito.

## Core Business
- **Primary Industry**: Education (K-12 charter schools, afterschool and summer programming, postsecondary support)
- **Target Customers**: Students and families in underserved communities (predominantly East Harlem and the Bronx); B2C (direct to students/families)
- **Mission Statement**: “DREAM ensures that all young people recognize their potential and realize their dreams.” ([wearedream.org](https://wearedream.org/our-mission-maxims/))

## Products & Services
- **DREAM Charter Schools**: Tuition-free, extended-day, extended-year public charter schools serving Pre-K through 12th grade across three campuses. The model includes small group instruction, two teachers per classroom, rigorous academics, social-emotional learning, and AP classes for all.
- **Afterschool & Summer Learning**: Approximately 600 annual hours of afterschool programming and 300 hours of summer programming, covering arts, athletics, STEM, and technology.
- **Postsecondary & Career Pathways (Legends)**: Up to six years of formal college and career support for alumni, including college access counseling, scholarships, career exploration, and work experiences.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation / Market Cap**: Not applicable (nonprofit). Annual operating budget of ~$66M (2024), projected to grow to $100M by 2028 ([DREAM Strategic Plan](https://wearedream.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2024-2028-Strategic-Plan-FOR-USE.pdf)).
- **Key Metric**: Annual revenue of $35.9M (estimated, per LinkedIn/Growjo data) ([linkedin.com](https://linkedin.com/company/wearedream)).
- **Notable Investors / Partners**: Not publicly disclosed; the strategic plan highlights partnerships with community-based organizations to provide social services and expanded electives.
- **Growth Signals**:
  - Headcount of 311 employees (+21.7% YoY); 9,915 LinkedIn followers (+21.7% yearly) ([linkedin.com](https://linkedin.com/company/wearedream)).
  - 2,800 students served across three sites in East Harlem and the Bronx.
  - 100% high school graduation and college acceptance rates among seniors.
  - Plans to grow to 7 schools across 3 permanent campuses by 2028.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Holistic Whole-Child Model**: Combines rigorous academics, social-emotional learning, physical/mental health, and deep family engagement, all under one roof with extended hours.
- **Long-Term Commitment**: Supports students from Pre‑K through age 24, including postsecondary counseling and career pathways – rare among charter networks.
- **Inclusive Excellence**: Nearly one‑third of students have special needs; 9 in 10 live below the poverty line; the model is designed to close opportunity gaps while maintaining high achievement.
- **Community Roots**: Originated as a grassroots baseball program (Harlem RBI) in 1991, giving it deep trust and embeddedness in East Harlem and the Bronx.

## Strategic Focus
The 2024‑2028 strategic plan, *Bending the Arc*, lays out three pillars:
1. **Grow Our Impact** – Accelerate student learning (especially STEM and special education), evolve high school programming, expand electives/extracurriculars, and build career-connected learning.
2. **Invest in People** – Attract and retain diverse talent, strengthen leadership pipelines (aim for 20% of roles filled by alumni), and deepen family partnerships.
3. **Build for Future Dreams** – Strengthen financial sustainability (80% of revenue from public funding), improve systems and business efficiency, and ensure equitable resource allocation.

## Why Work Here
- **Mission-Driven Culture**: Employees work directly to level the playing field for underserved youth; the organization is committed to equity and representation (“each individual can bring their full identity and experience to work”).
- **Growth and Stability**: Headcount has grown 21% in the last year; the organization plans to add 150+ full-time roles over the next five years, with a stated goal of filling a majority of leadership positions through internal promotions.
- **On-Site, Community-Focused Roles**: Positions are based at school campuses in the Bronx and East Harlem (on‑site, not remote). Typical roles include teachers, deans, operations coordinators, and family services staff.
- **Employee Sentiment**: Glassdoor‑style rating of 3.3/5.0 (166 reviews) on LinkedIn. Culture scores highest (3.7), while work‑life balance (2.8) and compensation (3.5) are lower – typical for mission‑driven education nonprofits.
- **Perks & Benefits**: Not detailed publicly, but the strategic plan emphasizes “a compelling employee experience” and an 80% staff retention target.

## Sources
1. [DREAM – Mission & Maxims](https://wearedream.org/our-mission-maxims/)
2. [DREAM – Our Leadership](https://wearedream.org/our-leadership/)
3. [DREAM 2024‑2028 Strategic Plan](https://wearedream.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2024-2028-Strategic-Plan-FOR-USE.pdf)
4. [DREAM LinkedIn Company Profile](https://linkedin.com/company/wearedream)
5. [DREAM Career Page (Lever)](https://jobs.lever.co/wearedream/)

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