Director of Early Childhood Education

Social Impact Partners; Westport (CT); Hybrid; USD 160,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading nonprofit in Connecticut seeks a Director of Early Childhood Education to drive systemic improvements in early childhood education. The role involves strategic leadership, stakeholder engagement, and policy advocacy to enhance access and quality of early learning programs.

Benefits

Paid time off

Medical/dental/life insurance

Tech stipend

401K participation

Qualifications

• 7-10+ years in early childhood education leadership or policy advocacy.
• Strong knowledge of early childhood systems and funding strategies.

Responsibilities

• Lead and advance SIP's early childhood education strategy.
• Build and lead a high-impact team.
• Advise and support advocacy efforts for public funding.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Communication

Project management

Problem-solving

Education

Master's degree in Education

Public Administration

Business

Job description

Note: Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, and answers to candidate exploration questions through the Workable online platform. 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Our nation's early child care and education (ECE) system is outdated.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 establish an Office of Early Childhood (OEC) and has led the development of policies and practices to improve 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 leading the development of Connecticut's Blue Ribbon Plan in 2023 to transform the ECE system. SIP provided strategic consultation, project management, financial modeling, and convened thousands of ECE providers, families, and educators across the state to ensure strategies were well-informed and included 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 to develop the Governor's UPK plan, which aims to make a significant difference in the lives of children and families in Connecticut. Children will be better prepared for kindergarten, and parents can pursue careers and earn income, supporting the state's workforce expansion. The Legislature will review this UPK proposal and consider additional funding for infant & toddler programs in the upcoming months.

To address these opportunities, SIP has developed a bold strategic plan to develop an affordable, high-quality early childhood education system that will enable thousands of families to access quality programs by:

1. Strengthening the ECE system through increased public funding and policy reforms
2. Scaling high-quality, affordable childcare programs
3. Developing innovative early childhood educator workforce pipelines

Over the next several years, SIP will support the OEC's implementation, collaborate with program providers to scale and prepare for expansion, and develop 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 seek a strategic leader passionate about early childhood and experienced in systems change. The Director will lead the implementation and development of SIP's strategies to strengthen the early childhood education system through policy, program development, stakeholder engagement, and funding initiatives. Building trusted relationships with educators, government agencies, nonprofits, and families is essential to drive systemic improvements that enhance access, quality, and affordability of early learning programs.

Reports to:

Executive Director, Social Impact Partners

Key Responsibilities

1. Lead and advance SIP's early childhood education strategy, aligning with broader organizational goals
2. Build and lead a high-impact team fostering collaboration, excellence, accountability, and alignment with SIP's values
3. Advise and support advocacy efforts to secure increased public funding and legislative reforms
4. Collaborate with the OEC and stakeholders to implement Connecticut's Blue Ribbon Plan for ECE transformation
5. Support scaling high-quality, affordable childcare programs with early childhood providers
6. Oversee initiatives to develop and expand workforce pipelines, including apprenticeships, dual enrollment, higher education, and training programs
7. Lead data-driven program assessments with metrics and KPIs to measure progress towards goals
8. Cultivate partnerships with businesses, philanthropic organizations, and government agencies for investment in early childhood education
9. Support policies to enhance workforce compensation and professional development
10. Represent SIP in public forums, legislative hearings, and strategic meetings

About Social Impact Partners

SIP is an innovative nonprofit dedicated to closing the Opportunity Divide in Connecticut for low-income residents. Our vision is a thriving Connecticut where everyone has equitable access to high-quality education from birth and opportunities for sustainable livelihoods. We address gaps in Early Childhood Education, redesign workforce development systems, and strengthen public higher education pathways to living-wage careers.

SIP operates at community and state levels—scaling nonprofit programs and engaging with government and stakeholders for transformational systems change. With over a decade of experience, SIP is a trusted partner, advisor, and catalyst.

Our strengths include integrating work across agencies and organizations, a highly leveraged model with staff and volunteers, strong local credibility, effective convening, and a flexible approach pursuing diverse impact portfolios.

Core Values

• Equity: We promote fairness and justice, amplifying excluded voices and building an inclusive state with shared opportunities.
• Humility: We listen, learn, foster growth, and value diverse perspectives.
• Collaboration: We work together, harnessing collective strength to address social challenges.
• Optimism: We approach work positively, believing in overcoming challenges and achieving social change.
• Impact: We prioritize action and measurable change to improve lives.

These values guide our mission to ensure equitable access to high-quality early childhood education and opportunities for a sustainable livelihood.

Requirements

Qualifications

• 7-10+ years in early childhood education leadership, policy advocacy, or systems change
• Master's degree in Education, Public Administration, Business, or related field preferred
• Strong knowledge of early childhood systems, workforce development, and funding strategies
• Experience working with government, nonprofits, and private sector partners
• Proven policy influence in early childhood education or similar fields
• Strategic thinking, complex challenge analysis, and innovative solution development skills
• Ability to thrive in unstructured environments
• Excellent communication, planning, and project management skills
• Passion for equitable access to quality early childhood education

Qualities of the Ideal Candidate

• Collaborative leader and listener
• Relationship builder across diverse communities
• Systems change leader
• Team developer and mentor
• Strategic thinker
• Problem-solver and critical thinker
• Exceptional communicator
• Stakeholder manager
• Adaptable and agile leader

Physical Requirements

The employee must communicate clearly in person, via video, phone, and other devices, read extensively, analyze data, operate standard office machinery, and travel throughout Connecticut.

Benefits

This full-time position (40 hours/week) offers a salary range of $160,000-$200,000, commensurate with experience. Benefits include paid time off, medical/dental/life insurance, a tech stipend, and participation in SIP's 401K plan.

Work Location and Requirements

This hybrid role is based in Connecticut, with an expectation of working in-office approximately two days per week and periodic statewide travel for meetings and events.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

SIP is committed to equal employment opportunity and prohibits discrimination on any protected basis. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds.

To Apply

Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, and answers to candidate exploration questions through the Workable platform. Applications via other channels will not be reviewed. The review process is ongoing until the position is filled.