Director, Early Learning

We’re Hiring!!
Director, Early Learning

Application review will begin the week of March 10, 2025. The hiring manager reserves the right to make a hiring decision at any time—we encourage you to apply as soon as possible if you are interested in the position. Cover letters are encouraged and preferred. Thank you!

Who you are:
As a member of the Senior Leadership team the Director, Early Learning provides overall leadership in the development and implementation of Quality Improvement services across the early learning system. The Director leads a team of Program Managers and program staff whose collective goal is to increase the capacity of the Early Learning workforce. The CCA of WA team provides continuous quality improvement and professional development services that have a statewide impact, including technical assistance, coaching, and training for child care providers. These programs are directly implemented by regional CCA organizations with management, guidance, support, and funding from CCA of WA.

Who we are:
Child Care Aware of Washington is Washington’s most trusted and accessible source of information and support for families seeking quality child care and a trusted partner to child care professionals. We work alongside families, child care providers, caregivers, and communities to meet the diverse and specialized learning needs of every child in our state. We provide services via a statewide network of locally based partners, and through our Family Center and Family, Friend and Neighbor Play & Learn system. We use data and story to influence policy makers, system leaders and our partners to ensure every child in Washington has equitable access to quality learning experiences

CCA of Washington envisions a world where children and families, especially those who are marginalized, discriminated against, or otherwise ostracized because of systemic racism, have access to equitable, quality child care and early learning programs that lead families to thrive economically.

Agency Competencies and Skills Required for this Position:

• Well-grounded knowledge & experience in Early Learning environment · Work to effectively bridge policy and practice, drive innovation, and align statewide initiatives.
• Adept at relationship management, providing strong team leadership with excellent interpersonal & listening skills.
• Manage performance effectively in a dynamic and evolving environment
• Organizational, analysis, problem solving skills & ability to synthesize multiple perspectives.
• Cultivate an inclusive, collaborative work culture that builds strong system-wide partnerships. · Ability to research & provide succinct written reports. · Sound judgement & decision-making ability.

Essential Job Functions

• Oversee Quality Improvement (QI) program services provided by the Child Care Aware (CCA) system to early learning professionals across Washington State.
• Lead the overall implementation and expansion of program services provided by the CCA system under the Early Start Act (ESA) and Early Achievers Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS).
• Engage with stakeholders at all levels to synthesize information, align actions, and convey expectations to your team and leadership.
• Lead efforts to provide skill building for the Relationship Based Professional Development workforce (i.e. coaches, trainers, consultants).
• Collaborate with the Washington State Department of Children, Youth & Families (DCYF), University of Washington (Cultivate) and other statewide partners on the development and implementation of policies, procedures and program services related to Early Achievers and early learning.
• Provide leadership to the CCA of WA regions on the implementation of Early Achievers policies and procedures so statewide program targets are achieved.
• Well-grounded knowledge & experience in Early Learning environment · Work to effectively bridge policy and practice, drive innovation, and align statewide initiatives.
• Adept at relationship management, providing strong team leadership with excellent interpersonal & listening skills.
• Manage performance effectively in a dynamic and evolving environment
• Organizational, analysis, problem solving skills & ability to synthesize multiple perspectives.
• Cultivate an inclusive, collaborative work culture that builds strong system-wide partnerships. · Ability to research & provide succinct written reports. · Sound judgement & decision-making ability.
• Effectively manage relationships with regional leadership, state level partners and between program staff and these respective stakeholders.
• Cultivate new opportunities that may result in additional QI services provided by the CCA system.
• Contribute to state-level systems discussions on workforce development, including career pathways for early learning professionals.
• Represent CCA of WA at local, state and national meetings and conferences.
• Develop and track program budget(s), program outcomes and statistical data in partnership with the Directors of Finance and Accountability, and Data and Evaluation.
• Other duties, as assigned.

Work Experience and/or Training:

• Master's degree in Early Childhood Education, Public Policy, Human Development, or related field Or a Bachelor’s degree in a like field with 10 years of experience in Early Learning settings.
• Multiple years' experience: Leading Early Learning program development and implementation, preferably in a non-profit environment.
• Multiple years' experience: Working within a government funding and policy environment, with demonstrated success in achieving contract deliverables.
• Experience providing supervision and coaching to mid-level staff.
• Experience developing multiple program budgets and monitoring expenditures
• Experience developing and implementing data-driven programming, including using data tracking systems to improve outcomes.
• Experience effectiveness when working with different perspectives and competing interests of various internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated effectiveness as a team builder, coach and mentor with an ability to energize and engage staff.
• Proven track record of building sustainable and effective partnerships with government agencies, funders, other nonprofit partners and community organizations toward common goals and objectives.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and other technologies used to host webinars and virtual meetings.

Compensation: The full compensation band for this role ranges from $97,000 to $155,000. The hiring range, which is the range we typically offer new hires, is $97,000 to $126,000.

Location
We will only consider candidates who live in Washington State or plan to relocate. If you live in the core geographic area of King/Pierce/Thurston counties, you will be classified as a local hire. If you live outside that area you will be classified as Geo Remote. Depending on classification there will be different expectations of remote and in-person work scheduling. All staff are required to be in-person in our Tacoma, WA physical office a minimum of 1-2 days per month and travel expenses for Geo Remote employees are reimbursable.

Opportunity for All
CCA of WA values diversity of ethnicity, race, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, gender, religion, language, ability, and experience. We are committed to our racial equity framework which includes hiring practices that seek to disrupt systemic racism and ongoing learning, self-reflection and transparency about equity and justice in our work. You are welcome to include the name and pronoun you would like to be referred to in your materials and we will honor this as you interact with our organization.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $97,000.00 - $155,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Application Question(s):

• How many years of experience do you have leading the development and implementation of Early Learning programs?
• How many years have you spent managing teams or individuals?
• How many years of experience do you have working with government funding and policy?
• How many years of experience working in Early Learning settings.

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Tacoma, WA 98402: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Tacoma, WA 98402

Salary : $97,000 - $155,000