Start Early (formerly known as the Ounce) is an energized, future-focused organization devoted to providing quality early learning and care across the country.

Our desire to close the opportunity gap and build more equitable early learning experiences for our youngest learners guides everything we do. As a leader in early learning and care, we scale our deep expertise across program, policy and research through partnerships across the country.

We are recruiting individuals who want to join us in this mission and share a commitment to our core values of appreciation & respect, empowerment, diversity, excellence, learning and communication.

Become part of our rewarding, mission-driven culture! We want our employees to feel empowered, motivated, energized, and passionate about the work they do!

Start Early Consulting supports public sector leaders and advocates in states and communities to ensure that early childhood systems are high-quality and aligned, are resourced to be sustainable, and meet the needs of children and families of color from historically marginalized communities. The Program Associate plays a dual role in advancing systems change and the management and success of the practice.

Reporting to the Assistant Director, Consulting, you will:

• Support each engagement team in the planning, execution and monitoring of project workplans, timelines and deliverables; manage operational and administrative needs for each engagement; assist in composing, editing and distributing written products and materials related to the engagement, including presentations, reports, email communications, scopes of work, etc. as needed.
• Partner with members of the Consulting Team and Research to build, maintain, and continuously improve the Research Practice Partnership (RPP). Strengthen existing systems to collect internal and external data; report on the practice’s learning agenda progress periodically. Act as the Consulting Team’s point-person with the organization on key performance indicators.
• Provide operational support for the practice, including, but not limited to, co-creating monthly team meeting and retreat agendas, maintaining and updating information systems (revising ways of working as needed), writing internal guidance documents and delivering logistical and administrative help to assist team coordination. Devise and build systems for knowledge sharing within the Consulting Team and with the rest of the Start Early organization.
• Work with the Consulting Team and Marketing to write, develop and update written and visual collateral about our systems and policy work in states and communities and our practice, support the team’s conference strategy, and assist efforts to promote Consulting’s thought leadership online and at conferences.
• Actively participate in internal consulting practice functions and Start Early priorities, including: diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging practices and policies; professional development; continuous quality improvement; and team and Start Early culture as a learning organization.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s required; Master’s degree preferred; in public policy, social work, child development, program management, non-profit management or related field.
• Two- four years of relevant work or lived experience in public policy, program development/ implementation, non-profit organizations, early childhood program and/or systems.
• Experience in early childhood policy, program(s) or research at the local, state or national level (program, school district, government, advocacy organization) or non-profit operations preferred.
• Commitment to racial equity, including an understanding of institutional and structural racism and bias and their impact on underserved and underrepresented communities.
• Customer service orientation, with excellent interpersonal skills, ability to build and sustain relationships with clients, partners and funders.
• Skilled in working in and managing team projects, with strong organizational and operational skills. Knowledge of project management, basic budgeting, and strategic planning.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to engage in a manner that is inclusive and articulates complex ideas clearly. Ability to create clear written/visual materials in a variety of formats: memos, presentations, fact sheets, etc.
• Administrative, conceptual, and planning skills, and ability to manage multiple priorities and tasks with a high degree of independence.
• Ability to work individually and in teams with culturally diverse staff and populations, a variety of education partners and audiences.
• Knowledge of early childhood government systems and programs, including knowledge of the challenges and solutions facing policy makers and advocates and other providers exploring and implementing strategies to create more diverse, equitable, and inclusive systems
• Ability to thrive in a creative, evolving, and inclusive learning culture.

We recognize that few candidates might meet every single piece of knowledge, experience, or education listed here. Research shows that women and people of color, among many other historically excluded groups, are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. Start Early is dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your qualifications don’t perfectly align with everything in the job description, we still encourage you to apply!

Please note: This position can either be onsite at our Chicago office or be done remotely.

Salary: $62,000-$66,000

Our generous benefits plan includes:

Comprehensive Health Plans, Commitment to Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, Holistic Wellness Program, Professional Development Program, 401k Contribution, Paid Volunteer Days, 6 months paid parental leave, and much more.

Start Early is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to our core values by creating an inclusive environment for all staff.