Executive Director

KB Search Team; Fort Wayne (IN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent benefits package

Childcare discounts

Job summary

Early Childhood Alliance in Indiana seeks an Executive Director to provide strategic direction, organizational management, and long‑term sustainability for the nonprofit serving children and families.

You will lead staff, partner with the Board, and expand funding through grants, partnerships, and creative programming, ensuring high-quality early education and supportive services.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in education, early childhood, and administration.
• Bachelor’s degree; Master’s degree a plus.
• Proven leadership with progression in an organization or career.
• Ability to build rapport across diverse groups and motivate a team.
• Budgeting and P&L experience.
• Strong oral and written communication; ability to present.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction with the Board of Directors for growth and partnership opportunities.
• Collaborate with local, regional, and state groups to improve early childhood education quality.
• Develop and oversee programs supporting caregivers and professionals in child growth and development.
• Cultivate diverse funding sources to ensure financial sustainability.
• Lead and inspire staff to deliver programmatic functions.
• Budget with the Board's accountant and ensure fiscal accountability.

Skills

Leadership

Budgeting & P&L

Communication

Grant writing

Collaboration

Planning & organization

Integrity

Motivating a team

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree (a plus)

Job description

For over 70 years Early Childhood Alliance has played an important part in early education for young children in Indiana. From managing early learning centers to administrating food programs to helping childcare providers get reimbursed for providing nutritious meals to children in their care, ECA has put children first!!

As Executive Director, you will be responsible for the overall strategic direction, the organizational management, and the long‑term sustainability of ECA.

You Will

• In collaboration with the Board of Directors, plan for the future growth and development of Early Childhood Alliance, including ongoing exploration of and readiness to pursue new partners, strategic development opportunities, possible new markets, and creative programming ventures
• Participate in local, regional, and state collaboration to improve the quality of early childhood education
• Initiate, develop, and oversee programs designed to provide quality early childhood education and equip parents, caregivers, and professionals with the information, motivation, and ability to support children's healthy growth and development
• Cultivate and develop, in cooperation with the Board of Directors, a broad range of funding sources to ensure a healthy and diversified financial foundation
• Lead and inspire staff to carry out the organization's programmatic functions
• In partnership with the ECA's accountant develop and monitor the budget, ensuring sound fiscal management and accountability

What We’re Looking For

• A minimum of 5 years of experience in education, early childhood, and administration
• Bachelor’s degree. Master’s degree a plus.
• Leadership experience including proven evidence of progressive growth in an organization or career.
• Ability to cultivate rapport with a broad diversity of people as well as the ability to motivate a team
• Budgeting and P&L experience
• Strong oral and written communication skills. Ability to make oral presentations
• Grant writing experience
• Ability to integrate well in a faith-based culture
• Integrity
• Collaboration: Proven ability to build relationships with other organizations and community stakeholders
• Strong planning and organizational skills

What’s In It For You

• Opportunity to play a key role in addressing the childcare early learning challenges that face Allen County
• Being in a leadership role in growing the impact ECA has on our community
• Excellent benefits package that includes: Medical, Dental, and vision plans, 403(b) with match, PTO, FSA, LTD, and childcare discounts

No relocation offered.