Academic Designer

Overview

Make an Impact!

At McGraw Hill we create best-in-class, next-generation learning platforms that are used by millions of students and educators worldwide from kindergarten through graduate school. Our goal is to accelerate student success through intuitive and effective learning tools and content that maximize a teacher's time and a student's learning experience. We do all of this in a supportive, collaborative environment where you can grow your career in a way that fits into your life.

This Academic Designer will create high-quality content grounded in teaching approaches that highlight students  strengths, provide multiple entry points into learning, and cultivate classrooms where every learner feels connected and supported. The Academic Designer will be responsible for both curriculum development and the creation of professional learning resources. They will craft lesson materials that are rigorous, engaging, and tied to real-world contexts students can relate to, while also designing tools that help educators bring the curriculum to life in their classrooms with clarity and confidence.

This is a remote position open to applicants authorized to work for any employer within the United States. This is a Project Status Worker (PSW) role with an end date of 12/31/2026.

• Design and develop curriculum and instructional materials - including learning objectives, scope and sequence, lessons, videos, and teacher resources - that align with academic goals and curriculum standards (e.g., CCSS and state standards) and connect meaningfully to students  real-world experiences.
• Plan, write, and produce print, digital, and blended learning content that is rigorous, accurate, accessible, and engaging, ensuring materials are appropriate for grade level, reading level, and subject matter and reflect current literacy research and best practices.
• Collaborate with educators, subject-matter experts, vendors, and cross-functional teams (including Academic Design,
  Digital
  , and Editorial) to ensure instructional quality, alignment with project goals, and consistency across platforms and deliverables.
• Create professional learning resources and educator supports that equip teachers to implement curriculum and instructional strategies effectively, building their clarity, confidence, and capacity to engage every learner.
• Adapt and differentiate materials to address diverse learning strengths, needs, and preferences, with particular attention to middle and high school Reading/Language Arts and English Language Development pedagogy
  , ensuring equitable access for all students.
• Develop prototypes, exemplars, guidelines, and project documentation to support consistent, high-quality content creation, and contribute to the continuous improvement of instructional design processes and workflows.
• Review, refine, and test materials to meet rigorous standards for content accuracy, accessibility, and usability across multiple contexts and platforms; provide constructive feedback to colleagues and partners to strengthen outcomes and collaboration.
• Identify and solve project-related challenges by proactively managing risks, suggesting workflow improvements, and staying current with educational research, curriculum trends, and instructional technology to inform innovative literacy and learning design.

• Bachelor's degree in education, literacy, linguistics, curriculum and instruction, or related field (advanced degree preferred).
• 3+ years of experience in curriculum design, instructional design, educational publishing, or literacy content development—ideally focused on grades 6-12.
• Background in teaching or educator support, with proven ability to design instruction that draws on students  strengths, real-world connections, and multiple learning pathways.
• Deep understanding of effective teaching practices, literacy pedagogy, and strategies that promote student engagement, achievement, and reading comprehension development.
• Familiarity with curriculum standards and content frameworks (e.g., CCSS, B.E.S.T., TEKS) and the ability to align materials accordingly.
• Experience developing digital and blended curriculum resources and adapting materials across grade levels, subjects, and diverse learner needs.
• Skilled collaborator who works effectively with educators, SMEs, vendors, and cross-functional teams; experienced in facilitating professional learning sessions and workshops.
• Strong writing, editing, organization, and project management skills—able to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and ensure high standards of quality and accuracy.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat, Smartsheet, and familiar with instructional design tools, CMS platforms, and digital authoring tools (e.g., K4/InCopy); understanding of accessibility standards and digital learning best practices.

At McGraw-Hill, we leverage cutting-edge technology to create innovative learning…