Director

THE POSITION

Performance is evaluated and discussed annually with input from the Alliance members. Working relationships will be broad, varied and changing and the contractor will need to be flexible to meet urgent, changing or unanticipated needs.  The Director is a visible lead for the Alliance in the community, helps lead Leadership Team and quarterly Alliance meetings and promotes an environment of racial equity, cultural competency and responsiveness for children, parents, staff, membership organizations and stakeholders. The Director is active in local, state, and national networks while assuring that the Alliance is kept current and informed of early childhood priorities.

ALLIANCE AND LEADERSHIP TEAM COORDINATION & PROJECT MANAGEMENT:

• Coordinates the community Alliance and partnership among membership organizations;
• Coordinates the community Alliance and partnership among membership organizations;
• Promotes and administers the membership opportunities, benefits and dues to Tarrant County organizations, agencies and schools;
• Builds on the principles of collective impact and movements and work to support ELA decisions, actions and priorities support ELA values;
• Facilitates the agenda development for the ELA Leadership Team and planning meetings and administers to the details of the meetings;
• Facilitates the development of ELA’s quarterly Alliance meetings among partners and member organizations and administers to the details of the meetings;
• Supports the active use of an equity, diversity and inclusion lens at ELA and among partners;
• Acts as a spokesperson for ELA on an as-needed basis.
• Moves key strategies forward for accomplishing short-term objectives and long-term results by “all means necessary” including facilitating community decisions, activities, plans and actions;
• Connects regularly with the priority areas and committees to ensure sufficient progress towards shared goals and to provide needed support and guidance.

COMMUNICATIONS, COMMUNITY OUTREACH & PARTNERSHIPS:

• Oversees the development and distribution of clear and professional materials that define and promote the coordination of the Early Learning Alliance including:
  • Early Childhood Action Plans, as requested by Leadership, for Tarrant County that incorporates ELA priorities, captures community need, represents research and “what works” to be built upon, and provides clear measures for the work;
  • Quarterly updates to the ELA website that ensures content is fresh and relevant;
  • Quarterly updates that summarize progress towards results to be used and presented at the quarterly Alliance meetings;
  • Final read and preparation of grant proposals and performance reports to funders that ensure aligned and accurate content.
• Engages technological platforms and supports to ensure partners are connected and aware of the work of ELA including:
  • Active use of social media platforms that keeps ELA connecting with partners and community at least 3 times weekly;
  • Email subscription service for ELA updates;
  • Maintenance of an online collaborative project management platform to ensure work products are accessible and partners can comment and advise online;
  • Network to build parent and community-level support and interest of ELA goals.
• Builds trust and commitment among ELA partners to work together for a common vision and shared priorities;
• Builds relationships of trust and respect among executives and mid-level staff of ELA member organizations and community partners;
• Stays abreast of early childhood research and system change developments that may inform ELA’s work and promotes such research and information through shared content with partners and thought leaders;
• Builds the attendance at quarterly Alliance meetings through targeted promotional and communications;
• Builds an environment of transparency and open communication among ELA partners;
• Develops presentations and materials and helps represent ELA in the broader community;
• Ensures standards of excellence are met for written and interpersonal communications from ELA staff and contractors.

FISCAL COORDINATION & GRANTS MANAGEMENT:

• Supports sound financial practices in partnership with ELA’s project funder and with the ELA Leadership Team and Chair;
• Supports sound financial practices in partnership with ELA’s project funder and with the ELA Leadership Team and Chair;
• Works with Leadership Team and Chair to prepare a budget and ensure ELA operates within budget guidelines to carry out its work;
• Seeks out and develops grant funding applications, performance reports and communication with funders;
• Develops sound contracts for talent including clear deliverables and works with contractors to ensure deliverables are fully met on time and on budget.

RESEARCH, POLICY & INNOVATIVE PRACTICES:

• Supports and builds connections with other collaborations and leaders to ensure ELA has an active and connected voice in the community;
• Supports and builds connections with other collaborations and leaders to ensure ELA has an active and connected voice in the community;
• Fosters innovation and creativity at all levels of ELA including promoting shared leadership, shared best practices, the ability to “fail fast,” and to establish a safe environment for risk-taking and innovation;
• Stays abreast of early childhood research, policy and system change developments that may inform/impact ELA’s work.