Dave Bailis

About Dave Bailis

An established Director/Content Developer of K-12+ Curriculum.FORM CLIENT PARTNERSHIPSForm new partnerships and maintain current partnerships by facilitating open and clear communication with stakeholders for the lifetime of a project. Anticipate client needs and address concerns effectively by providing early warning of potential schedule or budget issues, and by analyzing alterations to quantify cost. EXPERIENCED RESOURCE DEVELOPMENTDevelop project-specific resource plans based on acquiring and retaining the most talented and experienced staff and contractors. Make strategic assignments based on individual skill sets. Monitor and evaluate the work of staff and contractors, incorporating feedback from all stakeholders, to provide the highest on-time work in the industry. MAINTAIN QUALITY CONTROLGain complete understanding of current best practice math and science pedagogy and integrate those practices with the given requirements of stakeholders. Maintain editorial quality through continuous training of all team members and by hands-on project management through regular content checks. THOROUGH PLANNINGDesign strategies that guarantee all quality, schedule, and budget expectations are met. Write guidelines and specifications that truly illustrate project goals and objectives. Analyze project scope to determine accurate costs and pricing.DETAILED WORKFLOW & SCHEDULE DESIGNBuild detailed schedules based on deadlines, project constraints, and background knowledge. Design and implement complex workflows that utilize resources as efficiently as possible. Reconfigure schedules and workflows mid-stream with minimal disruption to budget or overall quality. DAILY COMMUNICATIONMaintain daily communication with all stakeholders. Collaborate with all departments to ensure universal understanding of all components. Lead project launches and have regular status meetings for client stakeholders.

Experience

1. Chief Operating Officer

   Contentra Inc

   Aug 2025 — Present · Chicago, IL, US

   As Chief Operating Officer of Contentra, Dave Bailis oversees all aspects of operational strategy and execution for the company’s North American business. His role centers on building organizational capacity, driving efficiency, and ensuring seamless delivery of high-quality solutions for leading educational publishers and edtech partners. Dave directs cross-functional teams to deliver complex digital and print products for K–12 and higher education. He guides process improvements, strengthens client partnerships, and ensures that projects meet the highest standards of quality, innovation, and timeliness.A key part of his mandate is advancing Contentra’s use of emerging technologies. Dave champions the integration of artificial intelligence to streamline workflows, improve content quality, and support the development of engaging and impactful learning experiences. By fostering collaboration and continuous innovation, he ensures Contentra remains a trusted, forward-looking partner to the education industry.

Education

• National Louis University

  M. Ed., Education

  2001 — 2003

• University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

  B.S., Elementary Education

  1991 — 1996