Director, Early Childhood Strategy Implementation

Job Title: Director, Early Childhood Strategy Implementation 

FLSA Status: Exempt 

Supervisory Responsibilities: Yes  

Starting Salary Range: $130,000 – $150,000 

POSITION SUMMARY:  

The Director of Early Childhood Strategy Implementation (the “Director”) conceptualizes and manages initiatives that improve the accessibility, quality and affordability of early childhood services (early learning, health, mental health, family economic security/workforce development, housing stability). Through a community-led and equity-centered approach, they ensure that initiatives are driven by the expertise and experiences of diverse partners and stakeholders. The Director uses advanced knowledge of early childhood practice, policy and systems to ensure that the foundation meets programmatic outcomes, and connects partners, creates collaborative relationships and helps document impact. The Director represents the foundation at national and local meetings, produces content for internal and external audiences, and promotes lasting solutions that are rooted in the lived experiences and expertise of partners and stakeholders. They also serve as visible agents and instigators of transformative systems change.  

The Director of Early Childhood Strategy Implementation may provide similar support to the Children’s Equity Fund, the Foundation’s affiliated 501(c)(4) organization. 

Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) is who we are and what we do. It is not separate but at the heart of our work. We are committed to driving change that centers communities and results in equitable societies, starting with a commitment to equity and inclusion for our staff. We have committed to center racial equity and become an antiracist organization, and our team is expected to demonstrate and uphold our core values, our culture commitments, and our commitment to DEI in every facet of their work. The Foundation strongly encourages and seeks applications from all qualified individuals whose racial, socioeconomic, ability status, and other individual dimensions allow them to bring unique and diverse perspectives.   

The work of both the Foundation and the CEF is structured through a portfolio of interconnected initiatives. All staff play a role in connecting and synthesizing knowledge across teams to further both organizations’ missions and visions. Therefore, this person may be assigned to any of the Foundation or CEF’s initiatives based on evolving organizational needs.   

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Strategy Implementation  

• Provide systems thinking and content expertise to conceptualize and implement early childhood initiatives.  
• Engage diverse partners and stakeholders to implement initiatives that can pave the way for transformative systems change.  
• Inform and support the research and evaluation of projects to measure the impact and effectiveness of early childhood initiatives.  
• Provide technical assistance and subject matter expertise to early childhood partners and stakeholders as needed.  
• Keep abreast of early childhood trends and research with attention to the systemic inequities in priority areas (early learning, health, mental health, family economic security/workforce development, housing stability). 
• Represent the Early Childhood team at internal and external meetings. 
• Develop and sustain reciprocal relationships with philanthropic organizations; explore and manage collaborative funding opportunities.  

Administration and Operations  

• Inform the development of the Early Childhood budget. Ensure alignment between the Early Childhood budget and strategic priorities. 
• Onboard and supervise staff and consultants when needed.   
• Lead or support various elements of vendor and consultant procurement processes including identification, contracting and invoice payment.  
• Join and support internal workgroup(s) or committee(s) to increase internal collaboration, knowledge sharing and cohesiveness.  
• Other duties, as assigned. 

FUNCTIONAL/TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS: The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. Equivalent combinations of work experience and training that provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities will also be considered. 

• Advanced degree required. 
• At least 7 years of overall experience leading complex initiatives in the early childhood sector.  
• In-depth knowledge and experience working at the systems level. Systems-level experience must include leadership roles in research, policy and government settings.  
• Knowledge of direct service, public funding and policy contexts impacting young children and their families, with attention to systemic and structural racism.  
• Experience collecting and synthesizing data.  
• Ability to convey necessary information accurately, listen effectively, and ask questions when clarification is needed. 
• Strong research, logistics and problem-solving skills; able to nimbly meet a wide array of unique project needs. Can effectively lead in agile work environments. 
• Proficient collaborative, interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills. 
• Ability to travel up to 30% time required to participate in events, conferences and other comparable convenings locally and nationally. Proximity to the DC area is preferred.   
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills; comfortable collaborating across departments and with external stakeholders. 



PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described below are representative of the requirements by an employee for the successful performance of the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may occur to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee may regularly be required to talk and listen. The employee is frequently required to sit and use their hands. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. The employee may be required to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT: This position will be performed in a hybrid workplace with a mix of in-office and remote work. The in-office work environment is typical of an office setting. The noise level is usually quiet. Remote work requires logging onto your computer at home during work hours, responding to emails, and participating in video calls and meetings throughout the day; therefore, access to high-speed, reliable internet is crucial. The Foundation provides all required equipment and supplies to undertake the tasks of the job at home, including laptop, monitors, and other accessories, which are shipped to the employee’s home. 

Bainum Family Foundation