About the role
Outsmart is a mission-driven, early-stage startup reimagining higher education for the age of AI by creating an entirely new collegiate experience that expands access and opportunity. Backed by $38M from top venture firms including Khosla Ventures, Forerunner, DST Global Partners, and Lightspeed, the company is led by former Duolingo executives and a founding team that also includes Emmy Award winners. With a strong culture centered around high-impact, detail-oriented team members, Outsmart is already seeing significant traction, generating 1–5 million weekly organic views on social media.
About
the role The Head of Academics & Learning Engineering will lead the design and development of Outsmart’s undergraduate courses and programs, ensuring they are world-class and designed for the AI era, working closely with our Provost. This role will report to the CEO, oversee our team of faculty and learning engineers, including instructors and learning designers, and will work to translate the institution’s educational vision into world-class curriculum, assessments, and learning experiences. We’re looking for someone who combines the intellectual depth of a scholar with the energy and creativity of an entrepreneur — someone who deeply understands pedagogy, learning science, and assessment, but is equally fluent in technology and AI. You’ll help define Outsmart’s learning philosophy and lead the creation of the content, curriculum, assessments, and systems that power our programs. This role is based in Los Angeles, CA, San Francisco, CA, or Lehi, UT. Qualities We're Seeking Deep academic expertise in pedagogy and learning design Vision for how undergraduate learning should evolve in the AI era — combining rigor, efficacy, accessibility, and fun Demonstrated experience in the development and/or validation of standardized assessments Comfort operating at the intersection of education, technology, and entrepreneurship Ability to lead interdisciplinary teams of faculty and designers High-energy, accountable, resourceful, and mission-driven — thrives in an early-stage environment
