Professional Development Manager

Start Early (formerly known as the Ounce) is an energized, future-focused organization devoted to providing quality early learning and care across the country.
Our desire to close the opportunity gap and build more equitable early learning experiences for our youngest learners guides everything we do. As a leader in early learning and care, we scale our deep expertise across program, policy and research through partnerships across the country.
We are recruiting individuals who want to join us in this mission and share a commitment to our core values of appreciation & respect, empowerment, diversity, excellence, learning and communication.
Become part of our rewarding, mission-driven culture! We want our employees to feel empowered, motivated, energized, and passionate about the work they do.
The Professional Development Manager supports a culture of life-long learning by implementing a system of embedded professional development that supports the Early/Head Start Network. This position will provide training/coaching for Education and Family Support teams and support the credentialing requirements for staff throughout the Network. This person will develop a system to make certain that all professional development supports in the Grantee are documented, analyzed, and continuously improved.
Reporting to the Director, Program Support, you will:

• Develop and implement an ongoing monitoring plan for professional development and staff qualifications.
• Collaborate with E/HSN and Start Early leaders as well as external partners in designing and implementing professional development initiatives to develop an internal workforce pipeline, such as a ‘grow your own’ Early Childhood staff development system.
• Provide leadership in implementing effective adult learning practices, which enhance the quality of early childhood educational services and support the ongoing professional development of early childhood professionals.
• Supervise a team of two Professional Development Coordinators. Engage Delegates, Community Partners, and Directly Operated Programs in supporting program wide professional development initiatives.
• Provides strategic and tactical support to the Agency by analyzing and interpreting the data to provide creative solutions.
• Create and oversee agency training plan. Identify, develop and provide additional training as determined by surveys, emergent issues and other agency needs.
• Aggregate and analyze multiple sources of data to develop individual and program wide professional development activities and events, which support the agency’s school readiness goals.
• Collaborate with the leadership and management team to connect proposed policies, procedures, and forms to requirements and resources to ensure attention to new requirements from funders or regulatory agencies and facilitate reflection on the impact of the proposed policies, procedures, and forms provided to Delegate, Community Partners and Directly Operated Programs.

Qualifications:

• Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education or Social Services (or related field). Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education preferred.
• 5-7 years supervisory/management experience in early childhood or Head Start/Early Head Start programs.
• 3-5 years of experience providing instructional design across modalities (in-person, virtual, and hybrid as well as online courses).
• At least 5 years experience with facilitating trainings and with coaching adult learners.
• Knowledge of theoretical principles and application for adult learning (e.g. ADDIE Model)
• Proficiency in classroom observation systems (e.g. CLASS, Environment Rating Scales, etc.) and other early childhood assessments preferred.
• Demonstrated strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to adapt and learn quickly.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Able to work effectively with a high level of professionalism via building trusting, collaborative relationships with staff, external partners, consultants, and program administrators and staff.
• Ability to keep abreast of best practices & new developments in the Head Start industry to ensure that all verbal and written communications align with changing needs.
• Strong competency of computers programs and applications such as Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Publisher, presentation software such as Adobe or others, and an ability to understand and learn new software.
• Deep commitment in advancing diversity, racial equity, and inclusion into organizational routines and practice.
• Effectively establish and maintain relationships with clients/colleagues and gain their trust and respect.
• Comfort and experiences in handling risk and uncertainty to move work forward.

SALARY: $75,000 - $80,000
Our generous benefit plan includes:
Comprehensive Health Plans, Commitment to Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, Holistic Wellness Program, Professional Development Program, 401k Contribution, Paid Volunteer Days, 6 months paid parental leave and much more.
Start Early is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to our core values by creating an inclusive environment for all staff.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $75,000.00 - $80,000.00 per year