Senior Early Childhood Development Specialist

Placements24; Sandton; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Executive-level salary

Bonus structure

Hybrid work model

Policy shaping opportunities

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 in South Africa seeks a highly experienced Senior Early Childhood Development Specialist to lead research, design innovative programs, and guide best practices in ECD within a Sandton setting. You will mentor teams, influence policy, and drive high standards of development and care, shaping the future of early learning across the region while operating in a flexible hybrid work model.

The role requires a PhD or Master’s in ECD or related field, 10+ years’ experience in research and

Qualifications

• PhD or Master’s in ECD/related field.
• 10+ years in research, program development and implementation in ECD settings.
• Proven leadership, strategic thinking and stakeholder influence.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving and report-writing abilities.
• Strong presentation and facilitation skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, implementation, and evaluation of ECD programs and interventions.
• Conduct research and data analysis to inform program development and measure impact.
• Provide expert consultation and mentorship to educators and policymakers.
• Develop training materials and facilitate workshops on advanced topics in ECD.
• Stay updated on research, trends, and policy developments in ECD globally.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Research design

Data analysis

Mentoring

Presentation

Education

PhD in Early Childhood Development

Master’s degree in related field

Tools

SPSS

Qualtrics

MS Office

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a highly experienced and visionary Senior Early Childhood Development Specialist to contribute to their strategic initiatives in Sandton . This role involves leading research, developing innovative programs, and providing expert guidance on best practices in early childhood education. You will play a key role in shaping the future of early learning, influencing policy, and mentoring teams to ensure the highest standards of development and care for young children, making a significant impact on educational outcomes in the region and beyond, operating with a flexible hybrid model.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, implementation, and evaluation of cutting-edge early childhood development programs and interventions.
• Conduct research and data analysis to inform program development and measure impact.
• Provide expert consultation and mentorship to educators, policymakers, and stakeholders in the field.
• Develop training materials and facilitate workshops on advanced topics in early childhood education.
• Stay abreast of current research, trends, and policy developments in early childhood development globally.

Requirements

• A PhD or Master's degree in Early Childhood Development , Psychology, or a related field.
• Extensive experience (10+ years) in research, program development, and implementation in early childhood settings.
• Proven track record of leadership, strategic thinking, and influencing stakeholders.
• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and report-writing skills.
• Strong presentation and facilitation abilities.

Benefits

• Executive-level monthly salary with comprehensive bonus structure.
• Hybrid work arrangement offering flexibility and autonomy.
• Opportunities to shape policy and drive innovation in early childhood education.
• Access to extensive professional development and networking opportunities.
• A stimulating work environment with a focus on impactful research and practice.