Early Childhood Policy & Strategy Director (Business Operations Administrator 1)

The Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care is excited to announce a permanent opening for a Policy and Planning Director (Business Operations Administrator 1).

Oregon is home to over 275,000 children, birth to kindergarten entry. Our state has an opportunity to change how it supports these children and their families and, in doing so, put itself on the path to an even brighter future. Overwhelming evidence tells us that investing in young children and their families has a lasting impact across their lifetime. Now is your chance to be part of an agency that will have positive impacts on current and future generations of young children and their families.

This position will work a hybrid schedule of working both remotely and in the office.

More about us:

This position is part of the Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) which is an agency that prides itself on enabling Oregon's young children and families to learn and thrive. We are responsible for administering state funded early learning programs, including home visiting and site-based infant, toddler, and preschool services and supports for children and families, licensing Oregon’s child care providers and developing systems that coordinate regional cross sector partnerships through Early Learning Hubs. DELC partners with local Child Care Resource and Referral organizations to provide professional learning, coaching, consultation and other quality improvement opportunities for early learning and care providers.

What you will do:

The Policy and Planning Director is a critical leadership position that advises the Early Learning System Director and other agency leadership on leading strategies to support early learning and child care across Oregon. This includes identifying and advising on early learning and care policy, legislation, planning, program and strategic trends, innovations and outcomes from throughout the United States, as well as federally and internationally. The Director leads the policy, legislative, communications, planning, child care labor relations, Early Learning Council, and Child Care and Development Fund work of DELC.

The Director is responsible for a team whose work includes policy development, government affairs, Early Learning Council administration, Raise Up Oregon Agency Implementation Coordination Team, and Communications. This position ensures strategic direction, alignment and coordination, and ongoing management of all staff. Work is completed collaboratively with others in DELC, including the Program and Operations staff, with cross-sector partners across multiple state agencies, and with external partners.

The Director is an experienced leader with substantive, working knowledge of early learning and care policy, legislation, public affairs, systems and strategies and their impact to advance an equitable early learning and care system that meets the needs of all children and their families and supports the early learning and care workforce, and demonstrated experience in the design and execution of strategy work in early learning and care.

To view a complete job description, click here

What we are looking for (minimum qualifications):

Five years of management experience; OR two years of management experience and a bachelor’s degree in a related field.

In addition, we are looking for applicants that have the following Desired Attributes (requested skills):

• Connections and trust among high-level early learning and care leaders, both inside and outside of state government, and the ability to make high-level recommendations and decisions.
• Astute political acumen and experience in managing diverse activities and individuals. Strong operational background in creating, managing and leading an organization; including design, development, operation, and improvement of the systems that create, align and deliver outcomes and strategic direction.
• Knowledge of Oregon and federal early learning and care policy.
• Working knowledge of early learning and care policy approaches in other states.
• Knowledge of systems-thinking based theories and practices.
• Knowledge of legislative process.
• Knowledge of policy analysis and decision making.
• Knowledge of government structures with respect to related agencies and programs and the ability to build collaboration, cohesiveness and maintain credibility with all levels of elected officials, special interest groups, public, co-workers and subordinate staff.

The Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care strives to create an inclusive environment that welcomes and values the diversity of the people we serve. We foster fairness, equity, and inclusion to create a workplace environment where everyone is treated with respect and dignity. Candidates of all racial and ethnic backgrounds, as well as bilingual/multicultural individuals, are encouraged to apply.

To Apply:

The screening of candidates will be based on a review of an attached resume (limit to two pages). While a cover letter is not required, it is highly encouraged. If you submit a cover letter, please tailor it to the position and address your experience with the desired attributes listed above. Candidates whose backgrounds most closely match the desired attributes and experience section as outlined in this announcement will be invited to interview. For helpful tips on putting together your application materials and interviewing, visit our Resources for Job Seekers page.