Senior Associate Director, Early Childhood Programs

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Oversees operations of the Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity
  • Leads efforts to set direction and priorities for the Consortium
  • Develops and implements processes, procedures, and policies to enable the  Consortium to execute on its priorities and direction
  • Oversees Consortium activities and operations, including membership, bylaws, convenings, relationships governed by memoranda of understanding
  • Supports data collection and analysis and writing for required reporting, elevating best practices, understanding collective needs and trends, and supporting continuous improvement
  • Provides expertise and technical assistance to Consortium institutions to continue implementing programs that support adult learners; provides connections and networking opportunities across institutions to promote peer learning and practice sharing
• Serves as IBHE representative / lead on the ECACE Advisory Committee, including working in partnership with other state agencies
• Leads and develops a staff team, overseeing their work, professional development and success
• Other duties as assigned, within scope of position

Requirements and Qualifications:

Education: 

• Master’s Degree in a related field, from an accredited Institution required* 
• *Doctorate or terminal degree preferred 

Experience:  

Required:  

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in government, public administration, higher education, education/early childhood, education, public policy or related field (experience in multiple sectors preferred)
• 2+ years of management/supervisory experience preferred
• Experience with curriculum development and alignment to support transfer  students
• Experience building out new work in partnership with others: researching, conceptualizing, designing, identifying needs, implementing, and adjusting as needed 
• Experience leading and managing multiple projects and areas of work 
• Experience setting direction and executing projects and work  
• Experience managing projects and working independently  

Preferred: 

• Experience with cross organization, agency, sector, department work   
• Experience with supporting students’ academic and holistic needs

Knowledge Requirements: 

• Knowledge of the early childhood higher education landscape in Illinois
• Knowledge of the Illinois Gateways Credential system and the ISBE Professional Educator Licensure system in Illinois

Skills and Traits: 

• Proven ability to set direction and execute work and projects 
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal skills, with a strong focus on collaboration and teamwork 
• Flexibility and the ability to shift priorities as needed 
• Ability to work with multiple external partners and see things from a variety of perspectives 
• Ability to facilitate groups and bring groups to agreement, consensus, or decision  
• Strong belief in the value of a cross institutional consortium to advance access, persistence, and completion through high-quality, student-centered programs 
• Strong problem-solving skills and a solution-oriented approach to the work  
• Proficiency in basic technology tools, such as Outlook, Word, Excel, Power Point, Teams, Zoom 

Organization Chart:

Position reports to:

• Director of Early Childhood Programs 

Position has the following direct reports:

• Associate Director, Institutional Supports