Summary
Description
WHAT WE DO
Denver’s Early Childhood Council (DECC) works to ensure our community’s youngest children and families have a strong local system that supports children’s healthy development, school readiness, and family well-being and stability.
We work with child care professionals, health and mental health care providers, local school districts, local leaders, and other partners to enhance the quality and availability of child care and early education opportunities for Denver children.
One of 35 regional Early Childhood Councils in Colorado, we serve as Denver’s early childhood hub. DECC connects early learning professionals to training, funding, and other support so that they can focus on what they do best: provide high-quality care and learning environments for our youngest children.
THE OPPORTUNITY
The Chief Executive Officer will focus on the creative and strategic visioning for the organization while overseeing the day-to-day operations and activities, coordinating and leading the work of a professional staff and serving as the primary spokesperson for DECC to achieve its mission, goals and objectives. This important role requires unique skills necessary to develop and sustain collaborative community partnerships, be an effective leader within a dynamic and changing political landscape and drive meaningful, equity centered outcomes.
The CEO reports to the Board of Directors through the Chair and directly supervises the Chief Program Officer, Director of Communications, Director of Accounting and Data, and the Development Manager of the organization.
WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING
- In collaboration with the Board of Directors and Leadership team, review, implement and uphold a compelling vision and strategy for the organization.
- Manage a productive and engaging workplace culture defined by passion, high expectations, and results orientation.
- Lead identification and cultivation of relationships with funders, community partners, governance entities, vendors and other state and local non-profit organizations.
- Lead the organization’s evolving development and implementation of services and support through a multitude of fundraising and grant funding opportunities.
- Drive efforts in both local and statewide policy and advocacy initiatives, representing the needs of early childhood.
- Participate in contract negotiations and oversight/accountability.
- Cultivate programming and strategy that includes a wide variety of community needs and reflects the varied perspectives and voices of children, families, and early childhood professionals in the mixed delivery system of care in Denver.
- Build and mentor a high-performing senior leadership team, hiring and developing key talent to effectively advance DECC’s mission.
- Lead all day-to-day operations and staff, with ultimate accountability for the success of the organization.
- Implement internal systems, processes, and routines to drive performance and continuous improvement, thereby ensuring good governance.
WHAT YOU WILL BRING TO OUR ORGANIZATION
Required Qualifications:
- 5+ years successful senior leadership experience at a social impact organization with a focus on early childhood
- 5+ years experience in direct service or advocacy in the early childhood sector
Preferred Qualifications:
- Degree which prepares the individual for organizational leadership in the early childhood field
- Experience navigating both political and policy landscapes related to early childhood, including strong track record of advocacy and stakeholder engagement
- Commitment to results; “can-do" mindset with emphasis on accountability
- Strong motivational and staff leadership abilities
- Highly accomplished communicator with strong public speaking, verbal and writing skills
- Sense of humor, integrity, commitment to the organization’s work and mission
- A high level of emotional intelligence — giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, and asking questions as appropriate
- An understanding of the overall strategic goals of the organization and a vast knowledge of the early childhood sector.
- Proven ability to build, maintain, and strengthen effective internal and external partnerships to drive organizational success.
- Demonstrated ability to drive innovation and lead organizational changes that enhance effectiveness and efficiency
- Demonstrated ability to develop innovative solutions to complex issues through abstract thinking and analysis in new or evolving situations
WHAT OUR ORGANIZATION IS PROVIDING
- Salary range $120,000 – $150,000
- 100% employer-paid health, dental, life, and disability insurance for employees
- 10 paid holidays, including office closure for the last week of the year
- Competitive PTO and sick leave
- Cell phone stipend
- Hybrid work environment: The Council does not have a central office but offers coworking space options as needed
Learn more about our work at denverearlychildhood.org.
