Oakland Children's Initiative Officer

Description

This position oversees the policy, communications, financial, programmatic, and strategic analysis and management of First 5 Alameda County’s role as the Early Education Implementation Partner for the Oakland Children’s Initiative (OCI). The OCI Officer will work closely with leadership and cross-functional teams to coordinate OCI implementation, strategic communications, ensure legislation and contract compliance, and alignment with the Agency’s Strategic Plan goals and systems building efforts, including the implementation of Alameda County’s Measure C. This position offers a unique opportunity to drive both strategic outcomes in the Early Care and Education (ECE) sector, contributing to long-term system building and improved outcomes for young children, particularly in the City of Oakland. 

• Lead the implementation of OCI priorities, aligning with ordinance mandates, First 5’s role, and broader systems change and goals.
• Integrate program and financial analysis, performance metrics, communication, policy advocacy, and strategic priorities to optimize impact.
• Develop recommendations for OCI 5-Year Guidelines, ensuring alignment with community engagement, the Agency’s Strategic Plan, and the Measure C 5-Year Program Plan and Budget.
• Forecast deliverables, anticipate resource needs, and advise the division Director and Executive Leadership Team (ELT).
• Facilitate stakeholder conversations to enhance systems integration and drive policy and program improvements.
• Manage special projects supporting OCI implementation.
• Conduct in-depth analysis of program plans, budgets, and financial reports to identify improvement opportunities and optimize resource allocation.
• Ensure programmatic and financial cohesion by aligning fiscal capacity, administrative feasibility, legislative mandates, and Agency goals.
• Lead annual contract updates to align with legislative requirements, strategic priorities, and broader ECE system initiatives.
• Track spending trends, assess capacity, and provide financial insights to support program implementation, compliance, and future planning.
• Develop strategic briefings, memos, presentations, and reports that translate complex financial and programmatic data into actionable insights.
• Collaborate with Government Affairs, Policy, and Communications teams to drive data-informed advocacy and transparent public engagement.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications: 

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

• A minimum of ten years of full-time progressively responsible related experience.
• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in Finance, Business, Public Administration or related field may be substituted for 4 years of experience. A Master’s Degree may be substituted for an additional year of experience. A Ph.D. may be substituted for an additional 2 years of experience.

Additional Requirements

Travel within Alameda County as necessary to carry out job duties. Some travel outside Alameda County occasionally required. 

Knowledge of:

• Expertise in systems change, public policy, and government affairs to drive sustainable improvements in early childhood services. 
• Ability to craft and deliver messaging that advances policy initiatives and builds stakeholder engagement. 
• Strong skills in programmatic and financial analysis, budget development, contract negotiation, and reporting to ensure accountability and impact. 
• Experience leveraging data, evaluation, and strategic planning to improve program effectiveness and policy outcomes. 
• Proficiency in planning and managing multi-year initiatives, funding streams, and public-private partnerships to maximize impact. 
• Ability to lead participatory processes, coalition-building, and cross-sector collaboration to align efforts and drive change. 
• Commitment to equity-focused strategies, cross-cultural sensitivity, and inclusive engagement in policy and program development. 
• Strong written and verbal communication skills to translate complex information for diverse audiences and lead teams effectively. 
• Skilled in Microsoft Office Suite (Office 365 preferred) and other tools for project management, financial oversight, and data analysis.
• Principles and practices of supervision, training and team leadership 
• Principles and practices of contract management 
• Budgetary and contract administration practices 
• Principles and practices of planning and project management 

Ability to:

• Develop and implement short- and long-term strategic plans in collaboration with leadership. 
• Analyze, develop, and manage budgets, ensuring fiscal accountability and strategic resource allocation. 
• Communicate clearly and persuasively in both written and verbal formats to diverse audiences, including staff, partners, and stakeholders. 
• Lead project management efforts, ensuring timelines, deliverables, and outcomes align with strategic objectives. 
• Apply data analysis and problem-solving skills to assess challenges, evaluate alternatives, and implement solutions. 
• Facilitate collaborative processes and group discussions, fostering engagement and shared decision-making. 
• Interpret and analyze legislative policies, financial reports, and sector-relevant publications to inform strategy and decision-making. 
• Demonstrate cultural competence and equity-driven leadership in all aspects of planning and implementation. 
• Adapt to changing priorities and agency operations with agility and a solutions-oriented mindset. 
• Serve effectively as a member of the F5AC Leadership
• Provide leadership and effectively organize, coordinate, and supervise professional and administrative staff 
• Promote teamwork and integration within and across the agency 
• Plan and project manage work to ensure organizational goals are achieved 
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff throughout the Agency 
• Define and creatively address problems or management challenges requiring analysis of multiple variables or situations, collect and analyze information, consider alternatives, and draw valid conclusions 

Please note:

• We are currently working a hybrid 2 day per week in-office schedule and employees also come to the office to attend meetings and as requested.
• All First 5 employees must live and work in California.
• The salary range for this position is $127,000 to $175,000 and as an independent government agency, the posted salary is the set salary range for this position. We cannot offer salaries above this posted range.
• We conduct reference and background checks for all potential employees.

About First 5 Alameda County

First 5 Alameda County believes every child in Alameda County should have optimal health, development, and well-being to reach their greatest potential. Through innovative programs and policy advocacy, we help provide children and their families access to resources that support their first five years of development.

Join our mission-driven team that in partnership with the community, supports a county-wide continuous prevention and early intervention system that promotes optimal health and development, narrows disparities, and improves peak years of child development.

First 5 Alameda County Benefits

We offer a comprehensive benefits package with health care options to meet the diverse needs of our employees and their families. These benefits include but are not limited to Medical, Dental, & Vision Coverage, $1,500 credit per year to spend on benefits, Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), Employer Paid & Voluntary Life & AD&D Insurance, Long-Term Disability Insurance, Retirement Plans including the ACERA Pension Plan, Commuter Benefits, Employee Assistance Plan and more.

Salary : $127,000 - $175,000