Director
You will design and lead sophisticated cost analyses and funding studies that inform high-stakes policy decisions. This includes working across public data, administrative data, client data, and survey data (both quantitative and qualitative) to build models that reflect real-world conditions. You will:
- Develop and refine cost models that estimate the true cost of delivering high-quality early childhood services across settings (e.g., child care, home visiting, early intervention)
- Build tools and resources that allow policymakers to explore funding scenarios, trade-offs, and real-time implications
- Conduct and oversee research and analysis to identify system improvement opportunities
- Engage diverse stakeholders to gather input, build alignment, and inform decision-making
- Translate complex research and financial analyses into clear, actionable insights for policy and decision-making audiences
- Analyze the impact of funding decisions on providers, families, and the broader early childhood system
- Support the development of publicly accessible tools that inform field-wide conversations (e.g., cost estimation tools)
- Ensure consistency, quality, and continuous improvement of modeling approaches across projects
- Coach and develop colleagues’ cost modeling and analytical skills
You will serve as a critical connector between technical analysis and policy action, helping leaders navigate complexity and make informed decisions. You will:
- Advise early childhood leaders, policymakers, and advocates on funding priorities and policy decisions
- Translate between technical and policy perspectives, helping stakeholders understand trade-offs and implications
- Lead or support public task forces and advisory bodies focused on early childhood funding, workforce compensation, and related topics
- Build trust with clients by grounding recommendations in both rigorous research & analysis and practical realities
- Support the design of funding strategies that improve sustainability, workforce compensation, and equitable access
- Develop implementation strategies that translate policy and analysis into real-world impact
You will manage and guide consulting engagements, ensuring high-quality delivery and strong client partnerships. You will:
- Lead project planning, execution, and delivery in alignment with scope, goals, and resources
- Manage and support multiple concurrent projects of varying complexity and duration
- Develop client-facing deliverables, including financial analyses, tools, presentations, and strategic recommendations
- Proactively communicate with clients and adjust approaches based on feedback
- Support project team members through coaching, feedback, and mentorship to strengthen technical and project management skills
- Minimum of eight (8) years of relevant experience in early childhood cost modeling, funding policy research and analysis, financial modeling, or related work in government, consulting, or mission-driven organizations
- Deep understanding of early childhood programs (e.g., child care, Head Start/Early Head Start, state pre-K, early intervention, home visiting) and their funding streams, governance structures, and policy context
- Strong analytical skills (using Excel, R, etc.) and the ability to synthesize complex quantitative and qualitative data
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, particularly in virtual environments
- Strong project management and peer coaching experience
- Demonstrated experience identifying potential challenges and taking initiative, creating structures to address ambiguous or complex problems
- Demonstrated experience coaching and developing colleagues.
- Experience working in or with state or local early childhood systems, particularly related to funding
- Experience within early childhood government agencies or consulting environments
- Academic study or research in early childhood policy, governance, or funding (e.g., Master’s degree or similar)