Let’s Roast.
What happens when a job ad asks for a "Director of Pedagogy" but really wants a jack-of-all-trades, master of none? This week, Jen, Paul, and special guest Chief Absurdist Officer (Kathi Eric Dalguntas) tear into a role that’s part teacher, part salesperson, part project manager… and 100% a hot mess. With a salary that’s more insult than offer and responsibilities that defy logic, this job ad is a cautionary tale for both job seekers and the companies that create them. Buckle up… this roast is heavy on charcoal crusting.
Follow along with the full job ad here :
The Bigger Picture
How do you design a role that balances expertise, scalability, and human limitations? This episode isn’t just about a bad job ad… it’s about the systemic failure to recognize that roles must be built for real people, not wish lists. When companies demand everything from one person, they set up both the employee and the organization for failure. The real question: How can we shift from “do more with less” to “design for success”?
At a Glance: The Job Profile
Job Title: Director of Pedagogy, e-Learning Instructional Design
Report-to Title: Unknown
Company Size: 51-200 employees
Industry: E-Learning Providers
What do they do?: Leverage advanced technology to provide personalized, industry-leading language learning ecosystems for K-12, higher education, and corporate environments.
Head Office Location: Toronto, ON
Job Location: Remote, Canada
Geographical Operating Area: Global
Job Type: Full-Time
For the Job Seekers
Did you come across a job ad like this? These questions might help you shed some light on what working there is really like:
What’s the real priority here? Ask: “Which of these responsibilities is most critical to success in the first 90 days?”
Who’s on my team? Clarify: “Can you describe the team structure and who I’d be collaborating with most closely?”
Why is this role open? Probe: “Is this a new role, or am I replacing someone? If so, why did they leave?”
How is success measured? Demand: “What does success look like in this role, and how will it be evaluated?”
What’s the culture like? Investigate: “How does the company support work-life balance and professional development?”
For the Job-Seeker Seekers
Are you writing a job ad for a similar role? Consider these hidden issues that might impact the success of your recruitment campaign:
Role Overload: The job ad crams instructional design, sales support, project management, and cultural sensitivity into one role. Outcome: Burnout, high turnover, and poor performance. Fix: Split the role into 2-3 focused positions or clearly prioritize responsibilities.
Lack of Clarity: No reporting structure, vague expectations, and no cultural hooks. Outcome: Confusion, misalignment, and difficulty attracting top talent. Fix: Define the role’s purpose, reporting lines, and success metrics upfront.
Salary Insult: $70K–$80K CAD for a “Director” role with global responsibilities. Outcome: Low-quality applicants or rapid attrition. Fix: Benchmark salaries competitively and be transparent about compensation philosophy.
Cultural Red Flags: Glassdoor reviews cite toxicity and lack of vision. Outcome: Reputation damage and difficulty retaining talent. Fix: Address cultural issues publicly and align job ads with real employer branding.
The Verdict
Chief Absurdist Officer:
3 / 10 (Job Ad)
4 / 10 (Role Design)
It’s hollow, and it’s a Frankenstein job. The ad was poorly written, and the role design suffered from a lack of thought and foresight. Booooooo.
Paul Austin-Menear:
3 / 10 (Job Ad)
2 / 10 (Role Design)
Brutal job description, brutal role design. The only candidate who could actually do this job as described, without melting into a puddle on day one, is Sam Altman’s Claude-enabled Chia Pet. He wouldn’t even want ChatGPT to touch this one.
Jennifer Houle:
1 / 10 (Job Ad)
1 / 10 (Role Design)
This one hurt my brain. It makes me want to redesign our scoring system so that I can give them a participation ribbon instead of a score. There’s nothing of merit in this.
Roast the Post is a passion project of Jen Houle and Paul Austin-Menear. The show helps job-seekers and employers get dud job ads out of their lives. We use contributions made on Buy Me a Coffee to help pay for our production costs, and donate anything raised beyond our costs to charity.
