Director of Early Childhood Education

Note: Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter and answers to candidate exploration questions through the Workable online platform ( https://apply.workable.com/social-impact-partners/j/DA6CAAD27F/ )Applications received through channels other than Workable will not be reviewed.  Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

The Opportunity

Our nation’s early child care and education (ECE) system is outdated. While America has shifted to a two-paycheck economy, the ECE system still reflects a stay-at-home parenting model. Despite 95% of children's brain development occurring during these early years, high-quality ECE remains woefully underfunded.

This misalignment is evident as businesses face talent shortages and young families struggle to find affordable care for their children.  Failure to modernize and adequately fund the early childhood system jeopardizes the well-being of children, the stability of families, and the future of our economy. Conversely, investments in high-quality ECE yield the highest returns of any social investment, benefiting society for generations to come.

Despite these challenges, Connecticut has been a leader in supporting the development of a high quality ECE system.  The state was one of the first to set up an Office of Early Childhood (OEC) and has led the development of policies and practices to improve the access and quality of early childhood programs across the state. In 2023, the Governor's Blue Ribbon Panel on Child Care delivered a 5-year plan to transform the ECE system. In 2025, the Governor's proposed budget calls for a multi-year investment of $1 billion for a transformational expansion of preschool that will allow all residents making less than $100,000 to attend free preschool. This plan has been called one of the most far-reaching Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) plans in the country by national experts.

Social Impact Partners (SIP) Strategies

Since 2019, SIP has provided strategic advising support to the OEC, including playing the lead role in supporting the development of the state’s Blue Ribbon Plan in 2023 to transform the ECE system. For this project, SIP provided strategic consultation, project management, financial modeling and convened thousands of ECE providers, families, and educators across the state to ensure that strategies were well-informed and included substantial community input.

Over the past four years, SIP helped launch and build the capacity of the state’s early childhood advocacy coalition. Over the past three years, SIP collaborated with advocates to secure over $600 million in additional public funding for child care.

Most recently, SIP worked with the OEC, in developing the Governor’s UPK plan. We believe that this plan will make a major difference in the lives of children and families in our state. Children will be more prepared for kindergarten and parents can continue to pursue their careers and earn income for their families, while helping our state workforce to expand. In the next three months, the Legislature will review this UPK proposal as well as consider additional funding for infant & toddler programs across the state.

To address these opportunities, SIP has developed a bold strategic plan to develop an affordable, Early Childhood Education system that will enable thousands of families to access high-quality programming by:

• Strengthening the ECE system through increased public funding and state level policy reforms
• Scaling high-quality, affordable childcare programs
• Developing innovative early childhood educator workforce pipelines

Over the next several years, SIP will be deeply engaged in supporting the OEC’s implementation, in collaborating with program providers to help them scale and prepare for this expansion and in developing the workforce necessary to build a high-quality system.

Position Description

The Director of Early Childhood Education will play a pivotal role in leading SIP’s early childhood education systems change initiatives. We are seeking a strategic leader with a strong passion for early childhood and direct experience working in systems change. In collaboration with SIP’s Early Childhood Education team, the Director will lead the implementation and continued development of SIP’s strategies to strengthen the early childhood education system through policy development, program development and management, stakeholder engagement, and funding initiatives. The Director will be expected to build trusted relationships and work closely with educators, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and families to drive systemic improvements that enhance access, quality, and affordability of early learning programs.

Reports to: Executive Director, Social Impact Partners

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, implement and continue to advance SIP’s early childhood education strategy, aligning with the organization's broader economic mobility goals.
• Build and lead a high-impact team that drives meaningful outcomes, fostering a culture of collaboration, excellence, accountability, and alignment with SIP’s values and strategies.
• Advise, influence, and bolster the capacity of advocacy efforts to secure increased public funding and legislative reforms for early childhood education.
• Collaborate with the OEC and key stakeholders to implement the state’s Blue Ribbon Plan for ECE transformation.
• Support SIP’s field building work to scale high-quality, affordable childcare programs in partnership with early childhood providers.
• Oversee initiatives to develop and expand workforce pipelines for early childhood educators, including apprenticeships, dual enrollment, higher education, and workforce training programs.
• Lead data-driven program assessments to drive measurable outcomes for children and foster continuous improvement. Develop and implement key metrics and KPIs to align activities and strategies with SIP’s north star goal.
• Cultivate partnerships with businesses, philanthropic organizations, and government agencies to drive investment in early childhood education.
• Support policies that enhance workforce compensation and professional development for early childhood educators.
• Represent SIP in public forums, legislative hearings, and strategic planning meetings.

About Social Impact Partners

Social Impact Partners (SIP) is an innovative nonprofit organization focused on closing the Opportunity Divide in Connecticut for low-income residents. SIP’s vision is a thriving Connecticut where every person has equitable access to a high-quality education starting at birth and the opportunity to achieve a sustainable livelihood. SIP pursues its vision by addressing critical gaps in Early Childhood Education, working to redesign workforce development systems to meeting 21st century challenges and strengthening public higher education’s capacity to support pathways to living-wage careers. 

SIP works at two interconnected levels—at the community level, helping to scale nonprofit organizations and programs that are meeting critical needs; and, at the statewide systems level, strategically engaging with state government and other stakeholders to develop and implement transformational systems change.  With over a decade of growth and successful experience driving meaningful changes, SIP serves as a trusted partner, advisor, capacity builder, convener, and catalyst.

SIP brings unique strengths and capabilities to its work in Connecticut:

• We integrate the work of multiple state agencies, businesses and local organizations, crossing boundaries that often confound similar system change initiatives. We have built a reputation for “getting things done.”
• We offer a highly leveraged model.  Our blended model of staff, augmented by a cadre of 100 experienced volunteer professionals, allows us to efficiently scale our impact.
• We develop and maintain a CBO network, characterized by strong, trusting relationships built through our SIP volunteer work. We have built strong local credibility. 
• We “speak business” in a way that is often lacking in government and academia, which makes us an effective connector and convener of critical collective endeavors.
• We use a flexible and opportunistic operating approach, investing our time and energy with a long view and pursuing a diverse portfolio. 

At Social Impact Partners (SIP), our work is guided by five core values that shape our approach and define our culture:

• Equity: We commit to fairness and justice in our work, to amplify systemically excluded voices and to build a more inclusive state where opportunities are shared equitably.
• Humility: We listen, learn, foster a growth mindset and embrace the perspectives, experiences and expertise of others.
• Collaboration: Our impact is greatest when we work together as partners and harness the collective strength, knowledge and resources that are needed to address social challenges.
• Optimism: We approach our work with positivity and tenacious commitment knowing that even the most complex challenges can be overcome, and that positive social change is possible.
• Impact: We have a bias for action and are committed to working for meaningful and measurable changes in the systems that limit opportunities and impact the lives of our neighbors.

These values are at the heart of everything we do and are essential to our mission of ensuring equitable access to high-quality early childhood education.

These values are at the heart of everything we do and are essential to our mission of ensuring equitable access to a high-quality education and the opportunity to achieve a sustainable livelihood.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 7-10 years of experience in early childhood education leadership, policy advocacy, or systems change work.
• Master's degree in Education, Public Administration, Business or related field preferred.
• Strong understanding of early childhood education systems, workforce development, and funding sources and strategies.
• Experience working with government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private sector partners to support program development and implementation.
• Proven track record of influencing policy change in early childhood education or analogous field.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically, analyze complex challenges, synthesize large amounts of information, identify opportunities, and apply best practices to develop innovative solutions and drive an overall strategy that advances organizational goals.
• Ability to thrive in an unstructured environment.
• Excellent communication, strategic planning, and project management skills.
• Passion for advancing equitable access to high-quality early childhood education.

Qualities of the Ideal Candidate

• A Collaborative Leader & Listener – Skilled at fostering open dialogue, valuing diverse perspectives, and building consensus.
• A Relationship Builder – Experienced in cultivating, stewarding, and expanding relationships across diverse backgrounds and communities.
• A Systems Change Leader – Adept at driving transformative change and navigating complex systems to create lasting impact.
• A Team Developer & Mentor – A proven leader who fosters collaboration, develops talent, and builds high-performing teams.
• A Strategic Thinker – Able to see the big picture, align initiatives with long-term goals, and anticipate future challenges and opportunities.
• A Problem-Solver & Critical Thinker – Skilled in analyzing complex challenges, leveraging data-driven insights, and crafting effective solutions.
• An Exceptional Communicator – Capable of delivering compelling presentations, storytelling effectively, and engaging diverse audiences with clarity and impact.
• A Skilled Stakeholder Manager – Adept at navigating competing priorities, building trust, influencing key stakeholders, and driving alignment.
• An Adaptable & Agile Leader – Able to pivot strategies, embrace change, and continuously learn in dynamic environments.

Physical Requirements

The employee is regularly required to communicate clearly, in oral and written formats, with others in-person, via video conferencing, over the phone, and via other devices. The employee must be able to transcribe, read extensively, prepare and analyze data, and constantly operate a computer and other standard office machinery. The employee must be able to travel extensively throughout the state. 

Compensation

This is a full-time position (40 hours/week) with a compensation range of $160,000-$200,000 commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Benefits

Full-time employees are eligible for paid time-off; medical, dental, life insurance; a tech stipend, and participation in Social Impact Partners' 401K retirement savings plan.

Work Location and Requirements

This is a hybrid role (in-office and remote) based in Connecticut. SIP’s offices are located in Westport, CT, and employees are expected to work on-site an average of two days per week. This position requires periodic travel throughout Connecticut for meetings, events, and conferences.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

Social Impact Partners is an equal opportunity employer and committed to sound EEO practices in all professional activities and employment practices. We comply with the Connecticut Fair Employment Practices Act, and all other applicable federal, state and local laws. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds. We prohibit discrimination, including harassment, against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, color, creed, age, sex, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, marital status, military status, disability, or any other protected category.  

To Apply

Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter and answers to candidate exploration questions through the Workable online platform ( https://apply.workable.com/social-impact-partners/j/DA6CAAD27F/) Applications received through channels other than Workable will not be reviewed.  Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Salary : $160,000 - $200,000