Careers

Why Work at Room to Read?

At Room to Read, we believe World Change Starts with Educated Children.® Our team is composed of highly talented and compassionate individuals from some of the most notable nonprofits, universities and corporations worldwide. Using our combined expertise, we are creating a world free from illiteracy and gender inequality through education, and our core values are at the heart of everything we do.

Here you'll find a supportive and inclusive environment where your ideas are valued, your passion for education is nurtured and you can participate fully in our culture of continuous improvement. We invite you to become a part of our dynamic and global organization and work alongside passionate and smart business-minded professionals united around our mission.

See Current Opportunities

Compensation & Benefits

We are committed to building and sustaining an engaged workforce through competitive compensation packages and generous 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, which we strongly encourage employees to use.

Flexible Work Environment

We recognize the importance of work-life balance, and whenever possible, provide flexible schedules that take employees’ needs into account.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging

At Room to Read, the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion are hallmarks of the fair and just world we are building through our work, and we live these values internally and externally every day. To that end, we thrive as an organization because of our diverse country-based leadership and globally distributed team and are committed to building cultural competence and accountability across our operations. We foster a diverse, equitable and inclusive organizational culture that is relevant to the cultures in which we operate.

Professional Development

Since our founding, ongoing learning, specifically professional development, has been a part of our values. Room to Learn is our approach to professional development that is based on content and methods that combine industry best practices with approaches that have proven to be effective at Room to Read. This way of thinking empowers each of us to view our work and development through a learning lens. More specifically, we encourage all of our employees to set annual professional development goals and create an annual learning plan that combines on the job learning with coaching and formal learning in a unique combination to reach their individual goals and career aspirations. We also offer leadership development, supervisor training, and Room to Learn sessions that highlight programmatic learnings.

Getting Started

The application & hiring process

Our recruiting process is thoughtful, efficient and allows our hiring managers and candidates to get to know each other. Once you are selected for an interview, your first conversation is with a recruiter who will be your main point of contact throughout the process.

The interview process varies a bit depending on the role, but typically includes an interview with the hiring manager and one to two panel interviews with other team members and/or senior leadership. You may also be asked to complete a brief assignment or deliver a presentation.

Your recruiter will follow up after each interview.

FAQs

CURRENT OPPORTUNITIES

A Message from the Chief People and Technology Officer

Thank you for considering a career with Room to Read. I was first attracted to Room to Read because of the mission to create a world free from illiteracy and gender inequality. What I have found here is the joy in working with a group of extraordinary people towards this bold goal.

In my work, I aim to shape an inclusive and supportive organizational culture where everyone feels valued and respected, and where we each thrive. Our team members are our greatest asset, and I am personally committed to creating an environment that supports both personal and professional growth and empowers individuals from everywhere in the world to contribute their best.

I hope you will join us in creating a better, more equal world.

Cynthia Orme
Chief People and Technology Officer

Cynthia Orme

Our Core Values

Blackboard graphic with text. "C.A.R.E.S: Collaboration, Action, Respect, Education, Scale"

Hear from Our Staff

Get Creative

Having grown up in rural Africa, I have experienced first-hand the challenges children face to access quality education. I am motivated that I am part of a driving force that is tackling obstacles to literacy and gender equality globally.

Esther Muthoga
Program Manager, Program Operations, Africa

Get Creative

It's hard not to resonate with a mission centered in every child's inherent right to learn with dignity and care. What really stands out to me is Room to Read's focus on access and elevation - access to critical learning resources and elevation of individuals and stories historically underrepresented.

Nicole Harrison
Grants Management Associate, US

Get Creative

The dual focus on literacy and gender equality inspires me because it addresses two of the most important issues in global education.

Sushmita Sharma
IT Associate, India

See Current Opportunities

Room to Read Locations

We have over 1,400 employees in locations around the world.

World map with highlighted countries where Room to Read offices are located

FAQs

What is your hiring philosophy?

We prioritize hiring locally whenever possible, and we are dedicated to seeking out talent within all of our labor markets. Room to Read is proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to identifying and developing the skills and leadership of people from diverse backgrounds.

How long does your recruiting process take?

There are many different factors that impact the length of the recruiting process. We aim to fill open positions as quickly as possible, but finding the best fit for our teams and mission is our top priority. There are times when unexpected delays do arise, and we appreciate your patience. You are always welcome to contact your recruiter directly for an update on the timeline.

Will I be informed if I'm not moving forward?

Due to high application volume, we regret that we are not able to send personalized responses to each applicant. If you do advance to the phone screen or interview stage, we will let you know the outcome of the conversation.

What do you look for in candidates?

It really depends on the position, but in general, we look for a mix of technical skills, soft skills and most importantly a passion for our mission. To be successful at Room to Read, you will:

Have passion for our mission and a strong desire to impact a dynamic nonprofit organization
Be a proactive and innovative thinker who achieves results and creates positive change
Have a very high level of personal and professional integrity and trustworthiness
Embrace diversity and a commitment to collaboration
Thrive in a fast-paced and fun environment

Can I apply to multiple open positions?

You are welcome to apply for as many positions as you would like, and we will review your application for each position individually. If your qualifications match our job description for a particular position, we will reach out to schedule a phone interview.