Educator Lab Lead

IMPORTANT: Interested candidates should submit a brief cover letter, resume, and video of interest. Visit Startland.org/startland-careers to complete this process. Should you have any questions or issues with submitting please email christina.hocker@startland.org.

About Startland:

Startland is Kansas City’s leading nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs, fostering innovation, and expanding economic opportunities. Through storytelling, skill-building, and social connection, we inspire, equip, and connect people with the mindsets, tools, and support they need to thrive in the opportunity economy.

Position Overview:

The Educator Lab Lead will play a critical role in managing and facilitating programming in our educator lab — an effort of Startland Studio, a division of Startland where we deliver hands-on programs that teach entrepreneurial thinking, creative problem solving, and the tools needed to take action.

This role is ideal for someone with strong facilitation skills and a passion for empowering teachers through entrepreneurial thinking and human-centered design problem-solving. The Educator Lab Lead will guide educators through their Studio experience, ensuring they stay connected, supported, and equipped to bring innovation and real-world learning into their classrooms.

Key Responsibilities:

• Program Design & Coordination: Develop and refine engaging, high-impact professional learning experiences for educators that align with Startland’s mission. Manage schedules, resources, operations, and communication for Educator Lab programs, ensuring a seamless experience for participants.
• Lab Facilitation: Lead and facilitate Educator Lab workshops, collaborative sessions, and mentoring experiences that support teachers in integrating entrepreneurial and design thinking methodologies into their practice.
• Mentor & Community Engagement: Build relationships with teachers, education leaders, entrepreneurs, and community partners to provide additional support, insights, and opportunities for Educator Lab participants.
• Program Metrics & Evaluation: Collect and analyze data on program outcomes, participant progress, and overall impact to continuously improve Educator Lab initiatives. Share insights with the team to inform future program development.
• Ecosystem Connectivity: Act as a bridge between educators and the broader Kansas City innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem, connecting them to relevant professional development opportunities, partnerships, and resources.
• Other Responsibilities: Support Startland’s broader Studio initiatives as needed, contributing to special projects, events, and program development efforts to further the organization’s impact.

Qualifications & Experience:

• 3+ years of experience in education, adult learning facilitation, professional development, or instructional coaching.
• Teaching experience or experience designing and leading professional learning experiences for educators.
• Strong communication and facilitation skills, with extensive experience working with K-12 or post-secondary educators, teams, or group learning experiences.
• Understanding of design thinking and its application in education, entrepreneurship, or innovation.
• Highly organized, with experience managing multiple program components, tracking participant progress, and ensuring program effectiveness.
• Innovative and self-driven, with the ability to take initiative, solve problems creatively, and adapt to evolving needs.
• Passion for educator empowerment, experiential, problem-based learning (real-world learning), and the integration of entrepreneurial thinking into education.
• Existing connections within Kansas City’s education and innovation ecosystem are a plus.
• Familiarity with lean startup principles, business modeling, and venture development is a plus.

Compensation & Schedule:

• Full-time (40 hours per week).
• Hybrid work environment with a mix of in-person and virtual facilitation.
• Flexible schedule, including some evening programs and events based on Youth Lab and community needs.
• Compensation based on experience.