Starting salary: $95,975 - $124,775

Please make sure you read the following details carefully before making any applications.

Reports to: Senior Director of Education Initiatives

Status: Regular, Full-time, Exempt

United Way Equity Definition

We recognize that structural racism and other forms of oppression have contributed to persistent disparities in our region. We must focus our work on the most marginalized groups, and we know that centering race and ethnicity is critical to ending the historical and social inequities that continue to exist in our region.

Purpose of this Role

Are you passionate about transforming early learning systems to ensure every child has the opportunity to thrive? As the Early Learning Multnomah (ELM) Director at United Way of the Columbia-Willamette, you will lead a movement that strengthens the foundation for our youngest learners and creates lasting impact for families across our region.

In this pivotal role, you will guide and elevate the ELM Hub, driving collaboration among local, regional, and national partners to advance equitable early learning opportunities. You’ll be a trusted convener and catalyst for change, bringing together diverse voices, fostering deep relationships, and ensuring ELM remains a bold champion for racial equity.

Your leadership will be instrumental in:

Facilitating strategic planning, decision-making, and collective action Aligning strategies and resources to maximize impact Creating space for meaningful community engagement and trust-building Driving measurable progress through shared data, accountability, and continuous learning Collaborating closely with the Early Learning Washington County Hub Director to align regional early learning initiatives and share best practices

Key Accountabilities

Strategic Alignment of Programs, Strategies, and Resources – 40%

Within identified United Way priority areas, develop mutually reinforcing strategies for reaching and impacting key communities by connecting and aligning strategically with all available programs, assets, people, and resources using equity principles and guidelines Direct the creation and implementation of county-wide assessments and action plans as required by the state and local partnerships Represent United Way and ELM in national cohorts with an early childhood policy focus Lead United Way's involvement and represent ELM in advocacy coalitions at national, state, and local levels Guide ELM’s Coordinated Enrollment team Guide ELM’s parent leadership work Evaluate the ELM staffing structure to ensure alignment with programmatic support needs

Staff Leadership and Development – 25%

Select, guide, motivate, and participate in the training, professional development, and evaluation of direct reports Fosters a Culture of Accountability & Excellence by supporting goal setting, visioning, and strategic direction for ELM staff, ensuring that individual and team objectives contribute to early learning outcomes. Ensures periodic goal review and accountability measurement. Leads by example in cultivating a results-driven, service-oriented mindset that thrives in a dynamic, fast-paced environment Oversee and ensure the accurate and timely completion or approval of key organizational documents, including performance reviews, development plans, goals, timecards, reimbursements, and performance records

Data-Driven Shared Accountability – 25%

Establish an environment of mutual trust and accountability for results by assuring that reliable data is available and used by United Way and partners throughout our work Ensure Early Learning Multnomah meets all contract specifications and performance standards set by the state Oversee contract administration and financial management for the ELM Team

Internal Collaboration – 5%

Work collaboratively with the Community Impact and Resource Development (including Marketing) teams to communicate the impact of UWCW ELM initiatives to corporate and individual donors as well as the broader community

Leadership – 5%

Demonstrate adaptive leadership within the Community Impact Department and across collaborative, cross-sector partnerships, leveraging emotional intelligence to foster trust, empathy, and open communication to establish a shared commitment to the United Way and our community’s vision, while navigating challenging and inspiring collective action

Collaborate, Facilitation, and Action - Daily

Develop and lead strategic relationship engagement plans with key sectoral partners including business, human services, health, education, and early learning sectors and culturally specific organizations Facilitate decisions, plans, and actions to help move key strategies forward in accomplishing both short-term tasks and long-term results

Trusting and Strong Relationships - Daily

Foster trust and commitment among partners to collaboratively advance a long-term vision that centers racial equity, ensuring every community member—especially those from marginalized and underserved groups—has access to stable housing, equitable employment opportunities, and pathways to upward mobility

Constant Communication - Daily

Maintain an environment of constant and open communication among all partners

Innovation and Creativity - Daily

Foster innovation and creativity by encouraging new ways of thinking and working, sharing best or promising practices with others, and establishing a safe environment for risk-taking

Simplification - Daily

Help accomplish work by simplifying complexity

Culture and Diversity - Daily

Apply a strong racial equity and inclusion lens to all Early learning work, ensuring that strategies and practices actively promote diversity, including the elimination of systemic barriers for marginalized communities

Performs other duties as assigned by the Sr. Director of Education Initiatives.

This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. This is not an exhaustive list of all required duties, responsibilities, and skills. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable disabled individuals to perform the essential functions of the job.

Additional Competencies And Required Skills

Self-Management Communication Skills Utilize and Acquire Knowledge Visionary Outward-Turning Demonstrates Social Responsibility and Stewardship Facilitates Teamwork Embraces Ambiguity and Paradox Demonstrates Complexity and Systems Thinking Shares Power and Decision-Making

Supervision and Working Relationships

Supervisory Direction Received:

Position works under the general direction of the Sr. Director of Education Initiatives Requires planning and arranging of own work in relation to overall set objectives Work subject to review and evaluation by the Sr. Director of Education Initiatives

Working Relationships:

United Way staff and volunteers; funded partners; local, regional, and state government staff and leaders; and community and nonprofit leaders Coordinate with all Community Impact staff members to foster ongoing, effective relationships with key community stakeholders across the region Support Resource Development staff to engage and communicate about our Early Learning strategies effectively with donors

Supervises:

Senior Manager for Early Care and Education Early Learning Multnomah Senior Manager Early Learning Multnomah/MEI Project Administrator

Education, Skills, Experience, And Training Required For This Position

Minimum 8 years related work experience in the human service field, with program development, administration, and fiscal oversight; BA degree in Business Administration or related field; or a comparable combination of experience and education Existing understanding of and experience working within the Early Learning Community Experience leading a collaborative effort involving a variety of diverse stakeholders Experience working in early learning as a preschool teacher or daycare provider - within the four-county region preferred Minimum 5 years of supervisory skills and experience Effective oral and written communication skills with an ability to relate with a diverse group of individuals or organizations in an effective manner Ability to think strategically with proven, strong ability to execute on plan Ability to take initiative and be creative in thinking and solutions High-energy individual with a positive outlook Manage expectations of internal team members effectively and a strong desire and aptitude to be part of a team environment Commitment to excellence and to the mission of United Way

Technical Knowledge

Proficiency with Microsoft Office. Outlook and virtual meeting platforms (such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or similar) are required as these tools are integral to daily organizational operations and collaboration Must have a valid driver’s license, automobile insurance, and a reliable vehicle

Physical Requirements

United Way of the Columbia-Willamette operates in a hybrid environment. You will be expected to be onsite at the UWCW office two days a week and working from your remote office three days. This is a community-facing role. You will be expected to engage with community members at offsite in person meetings. Must be able to work a flexible schedule which occasionally may include some early mornings, evenings, and weekends. Work is primarily performed indoors, within an open office setting with a moderate noise level and occasional exposure to scents Frequently required to sit/stand at a computer in a stationary position Frequently operates a computer and other office productivity equipment, such as copy machine, printer, phone, and fax machine Frequently required to move about inside the office for meetings, access to information, office equipment, etc Frequently required to travel locally for meetings that occur in other office settings Frequently required to travel regionally and occasionally nationally for meetings, training, and conferences in other office settings throughout the year

This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. This is not an exhaustive list of all required duties, responsibilities, and skills. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable disabled individuals to perform the essential functions of the job.

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