Education

Curriculum Developer Job Description Template (Free, 2026)

Copy-ready curriculum developer job description covering standards alignment, backward design, scope and sequence planning, and assessment development. Customize for your subject area and organization in minutes.

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Job Title: Curriculum Developer – [Subject Area, e.g., K-12 Mathematics / ELA / Science / Corporate Training] Department: Curriculum & Instruction / Learning Design / Content Development Location: [City, State] / Remote / Hybrid Reports To: Curriculum Director / Director of Learning / VP Content Employment Type: Full-Time / Contract About [Company/Organization Name] [Organization Name] is a [school district / ed-tech company / educational publisher / nonprofit / corporate L&D team] developing [K-12 / higher education / professional training] curriculum for [X] students/learners across [X] states/regions. Our curriculum development team is committed to rigorous, evidence-based, standards-aligned content that supports all learners. We use [backward design / Understanding by Design / UDL / specify] as our primary design framework. About the Role We are seeking an experienced, detail-oriented Curriculum Developer to design, write, and refine high-quality educational content in [subject area]. You will develop comprehensive curriculum materials including lesson plans, unit plans, scope and sequence documents, assessments, and teacher guides aligned to [CCSS / NGSS / state standards / corporate competency framework]. This role requires exceptional writing skills, deep subject matter knowledge, and a strong commitment to equity, accessibility, and evidence-based instructional practice. Key Responsibilities • Design and develop standards-aligned curriculum materials including lesson plans, unit plans, scope and sequence frameworks, and pacing guides for [grade levels/audience] • Write clear, engaging, and accurate instructional content including student materials, teacher guides, assessments, and supplementary resources • Apply backward design principles (Understanding by Design), Bloom's Taxonomy, and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) to ensure all learners can access and achieve learning objectives • Align all curriculum materials to [CCSS / NGSS / state standards / competency framework]; document alignment in standards mapping documents • Develop formative and summative assessments including constructed response, selected response, performance tasks, and rubrics with clear, valid, and reliable designs • Collaborate with subject matter experts, teachers, editors, and instructional designers through content review, pilot feedback, and revision cycles • Research and incorporate current best practices, educational research, and culturally responsive pedagogical approaches into curriculum design • Manage multiple curriculum projects simultaneously, tracking milestones, deliverables, and review cycles against project timelines • Incorporate pilot teacher feedback and student performance data to iteratively improve curriculum effectiveness • Maintain content style guides, terminology standards, and quality benchmarks across curriculum materials Required Qualifications • Bachelor's degree in Education, [Subject Area], Curriculum & Instruction, or a related field (Master's preferred) • 3+ years of experience developing curriculum materials for [K-12 / higher ed / corporate] learning contexts • Deep knowledge of [subject area] content and current pedagogical approaches • Proficiency with [CCSS / NGSS / state standards / specify] and experience writing standards alignment documentation • Exceptional writing, editing, and content organization skills • Experience with project management in a content development environment Nice to Have • Master's degree or Ed.D. in Curriculum & Instruction, Educational Research, or related field • Teaching experience at the [grade level] level in [subject area] • Familiarity with content management systems or authoring tools (Google Docs, InDesign, Curriculum Associates, Kiddom) • Experience with Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and differentiated instruction frameworks What We Offer • Salary: $55,000 – $90,000/year based on experience (2026 benchmark) • Health, dental, and vision insurance • 401(k) or pension with employer contribution • Remote or hybrid work flexibility • Professional development and conference attendance support • Opportunity to create curriculum used by thousands of learners • Collaborative, mission-driven team committed to educational equity Salary Range: $55,000 – $90,000/year (US, 2026 benchmark) [Organization Name] is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to educational equity and welcome candidates from diverse backgrounds.

How to customize this curriculum developer job description

1. Define subject area and grade band precisely

A K-5 mathematics curriculum developer and a high school ELA curriculum developer require fundamentally different content knowledge and standards expertise. Being specific about the subject area, grade level band, and standards framework (CCSS, NGSS, state standards, corporate competencies) helps experienced curriculum developers quickly assess their fit and prevents mismatched applications from candidates with adjacent but insufficient content backgrounds.

2. Specify deliverable types and scope

Lesson plans, full course curricula, teacher guides, assessments, student workbooks, and digital interactives each require different skills and production processes. Describe the primary deliverables expected, the content management system or authoring tools used, and whether the curriculum is print, digital, or blended. Candidates with experience producing the specific deliverable types you need will be more productive immediately and require less onboarding.

3. Require writing or curriculum samples with the application

Writing quality is the single most important differentiator for curriculum developer candidates. Requesting a lesson plan, unit overview, or assessment item sample with the application dramatically reduces first-round interview volume and allows you to assess instructional rigor, standards alignment quality, and writing clarity before scheduling any calls. Candidates who cannot share samples due to IP restrictions can be asked to complete a short writing task during the hiring process.

4. Highlight the learning impact and reach of your curriculum

Curriculum developers are motivated by mission and impact. Stating how many students or learners your curriculum reaches, whether it has demonstrated measurable learning outcomes, and whether curriculum developers receive authorship recognition for their work are powerful motivators. Ed-tech companies and publishers that share usage data and impact metrics with their curriculum teams attract mission-driven developers who want to know their work matters at scale.

Curriculum developer salary range in 2026 (US)

Base salary benchmarks for curriculum developers. Ed-tech companies and large corporate L&D organizations typically pay 15–20% above K-12 district and nonprofit rates for equivalent experience.

LevelExperienceBase Salary RangeTypical Requirements
Junior Developer0–2 years$50,000 – $62,000BS Education or subject area, teaching experience helpful
Curriculum Developer3–6 years$62,000 – $78,000Standards alignment, backward design, assessment writing
Senior Developer7+ years$78,000 – $90,000Full program design, team mentorship, research expertise
Curriculum Director10+ years$90,000 – $125,000+Program strategy, team leadership, cross-functional ownership

Frequently asked questions

What should a curriculum developer job description include? +

A curriculum developer JD should include the educational context, subject area and grade level band, standards framework, deliverable types, design methodology, collaboration model, and authoring tools. Writing quality, research skills, and content accuracy standards should be addressed. Requiring a writing or curriculum sample with the application pre-screens for quality effectively and reduces screening time significantly.

What is the average curriculum developer salary in 2026? +

Curriculum developer salaries in the US in 2026 range from $50,000 for entry-level developers to $90,000+ for senior developers at ed-tech companies or large corporate L&D organizations. Entry-level developers earn $50,000–$62,000. Mid-level developers earn $62,000–$78,000. Senior developers earn $78,000–$90,000+. Ed-tech companies and corporate L&D typically pay 15–20% above K-12 district and nonprofit rates.

How do I write a curriculum developer JD that attracts top candidates? +

Top curriculum developers want to work on meaningful, high-quality content with clear standards alignment and evidence-based design. Describe the scope and impact of your curriculum. Highlight creative latitude, the collaboration model, remote work options, and whether curriculum developers receive authorship recognition. Mention any awards, evidence of student learning impact, or scale of use. Requesting curriculum samples in the application attracts serious, experienced candidates and pre-screens for writing quality.

Can I use this template in my ATS? +

Yes. Paste this template into Treegarden or your existing ATS, customize the subject area and standards requirements, and publish to education and ed-tech job boards, LinkedIn, and Indeed. Treegarden supports writing sample submission prompts and subject-area screening questions. Plans start at $299/month for unlimited users.

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