Global Director, Early Mathematics

• locations
• Global Office Asia - Main - New Delhi

• time type
• Full time

• posted on
• Posted Today

• job requisition id
• R-03203

World Change Starts with Educated Children® 

World Change Starts with Educated Children®

IMPORTANT: All applicants must be legally eligible to work in the country where the position is located. Room to Read is not able to provide sponsorship.

This role is open to candidates throughout Africa and Asia, with a preference for those based in our office locations.

Position Overview 

Room to Read is expanding its early learning portfolio to include mathematics alongside literacy. Building on our research-based global literacy modules, the Director, Early Mathematics will lead the development of complementary global mathematics modules to guide curriculum design, instructional materials, and teacher professional development across diverse country contexts.

Reporting to the Vice President, Literacy, this role provides strategic and technical leadership for Room to Read’s global early mathematics portfolio. The Director will oversee module development, support country implementation, contribute to funding strategy, and represent Room to Read externally in advancing high-quality early mathematics instruction within government systems.

This is a fixed-term position ending on December 31st, 2026, with the possibility of extension dependent upon funding.

Responsibilities

Strategy & Technical Leadership 

• Set the strategic vision and technical direction for Room to Read’s early mathematics portfolio in alignment with the broader early literacy strategy.

• Lead development of global mathematics modules, including curriculum guidance, student materials, teacher guides, and aligned professional development resources.

• Ensure coherence and alignment between early literacy and early mathematics approaches.

• Translate global research and best practices into scalable, contextually adaptable program models.

Program Design & Implementation Support 

• Provide technical oversight and hands-on guidance to country teams implementing early mathematics programming.

• Review program implementation and recommend adjustments to improve quality and impact.

• Partner with the Global Research, Monitoring & Evaluation team to design and refine systems to assess mathematics teaching and learning outcomes.

• Advise on the development of low-cost mathematics manipulatives and mathematics-themed children’s books.

Business Development & Partnerships 

• Lead technical design of mathematics-focused funding proposals and custom projects.

• Support donor engagement by contributing technical content and participating in external meetings as needed.

• Represent Room to Read with ministries of education, multilateral organizations, NGOs, universities, and sector partners.

• Identify and cultivate opportunities for collaboration to scale and sustain mathematics programming within government systems.

Management & Operations 

• Recruit, manage, and develop program staff and technical consultants as needed.

• Contribute to annual planning, budgeting, and quarterly reporting processes in collaboration with the VP of Literacy and Operations team.

• Support Marketing & Communications and Development teams in developing program messaging and materials.

Qualifications 

Technical Leadership & Expertise 

• Minimum 10 years of professional experience in education, with significant focus on early mathematics.

• Demonstrated experience designing mathematics curricula, instructional materials (e.g., student books, teacher guides), and aligned professional development resources.

• At least 3 years of direct experience teaching mathematics to children.

• Advanced degree in mathematics education or closely related field (or equivalent combination of advanced degree and relevant experience).

• Strong understanding of early mathematics instruction in low-resource and government partnership contexts.

Implementation & Systems Strengthening 

• Experience supporting implementation of education programs across multiple country contexts, including providing technical guidance to field teams.

• Experience collaborating with research, monitoring, and evaluation teams to design assessment tools and measure learning outcomes.

• Proven ability to translate research into scalable, practical program models.

Management & Organizational Leadership 

• Experience recruiting, managing, and developing staff and/or technical consultants.

• Experience contributing to planning, budgeting, reporting, and performance tracking processes.

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and operate effectively in a global, matrixed organization.

Partnerships & External Engagement 

• Proven experience engaging with ministries of education, multilateral organizations, NGOs, universities, or similar stakeholders.

• Experience contributing technical input to funding proposals and donor-facing materials.

• Established networks within the early mathematics or foundational learning sector.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English.

Other 

• Ability and willingness to travel internationally (up to 10%).

Compensation and Benefits

Room to Read offers a competitive salary with excellent benefits. Benefits vary based on the local requirements and best practices in the country where the position is based, but all employees are provided with comprehensive medical coverage, retirement savings contributions and/or pension plan matches, and paid time off. The non-monetary compensation includes a unique opportunity to be part of an innovative, meaningful, and growing organization that is changing the world through the lifelong gift of education.

Child Protection Principles

• Room to Read is committed to the education and welfare of children and protecting them from abuse and exploitation

• Room to Read has zero tolerance for child abuse and exploitation.

• All children have the right to be free from abuse and exploitation, including neglect, maltreatment, and physical, mental or sexual violence, injury or abuse.

• All children should be treated with respect and dignity.

• The well-being of the child is Room to Read’s first priority when dealing with all identified or suspected cases of child abuse.

• Room to Read shall integrate child protection into all its organizational strategies, structures and work practices.

Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) Principles

• Room to Read Representatives must create and maintain an environment that prevents sexual exploitation and sexual abuse.

• Room to Read has zero tolerance for adult sexual exploitation and abuse.

• Sexual exploitation and abuse are serious violations of fundamental human rights and will not be accepted or tolerated.

• All adults should be treated with respect and dignity.

• Room to Read implements a survivor-centered approach, putting the survivor’s rights and dignity at the forefront.

• Survivors referred to available professional assistance (e.g. mental health counselling), upon consent.

Room to Read is an equal opportunity employer committed to identifying and developing the skills and leadership of people from diverse backgrounds.

Read is a child-safe organization; all personnel must adhere to Room to Read’s Child Protection Policy, Child Protection Code of Conduct and Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) Policy.

About Room to Read:   

Founded in 2000 on the belief that World Change Starts with Educated Children®, Room to Read envisions a world free from illiteracy and gender inequality, where all children have room to read, learn and grow – creating lasting change. Through our Literacy Portfolio, we train and coach teachers of the early grades in literacy instruction; create and publish quality books and curricular materials in local languages; and establish children’s libraries filled with diverse children’s books that can be enjoyed at school and home. Our Gender Equality Portfolio supports adolescents, particularly girls, in developing life skills that promote gender equality, helping them to pursue lifelong learning and make informed decisions.

We support young people of all genders to overcome gender biases and build the knowledge and skills to create a gender-equal world. Room to Read collaborates with local communities, partner organizations, publishers, and governments to test and implement innovative models that can be integrated into the education system to deliver positive outcomes for children at scale. To date, Room to Read has benefited more than 50 million children in 28 countries.

Learn more at www.roomtoread.org.