The Bainum Family Foundation is a dynamic and growing independent foundation currently located in downtown Bethesda, Maryland, a few blocks from the metro. Privately funded, the Foundation operates and supports educational programs and projects assisting underserved children and youth. Among the largest foundations in the Washington DC Metro Area, the Bainum Family Foundation offers competitive employee compensation and benefits programs and encourages employee learning through a generous professional development program. We believe in the benefits of education and invest accordingly, both in our partners and in our employees. We are an ideal workplace for talented professionals seeking to grow professionally and contribute to meaningful changes in the DC metro area.

Job Title: Senior Director of Early Learning

FLSA Status: Exempt

Supervisory Responsibilities: Early Learning (EL) Program Associate; Sr Manager, EL Systems; Sr Manager, EL Practice

Reporting to Title: Vice President, Operations and Organizational Effectiveness

SUMMARY:

The Senior Director of Early Learning (EL) is responsible for providing leadership in the implementation of the Foundation’s EL initiatives, building quality, comprehensive early childhood services in Washington, DC, and in other communities throughout the country. In collaboration with his/her team and colleagues, this person will ensure the Foundation is well represented among the early childhood funders nationally, and increase its visibility outside of our region, whereby we can make an impact in the field and build our brand in the process.

The Senior Director will ensure delivery of high quality comprehensive EL to children and families in alignment with the Foundation’s Strategic and Operational Plans. Under the guidance of the VP, s/he partners with other senior leaders to participate in the ongoing development of the overall EL programmatic strategy and the translation of that strategy into action. To be successful, s/he must maintain knowledge of the broader education field, including current issues, key resource people and organizations, as well as focused knowledge in the early learning arena, and have a clear understanding of how these areas align with the Foundation’s mission, vision and strategic interests. Additionally, s/he must have a demonstrated ability to manage people and processes, ensuring the Foundation's EL vision is executed in a manner that achieves outstanding, sustainable results.

The Foundation structures our work through a portfolio of interconnected initiatives. All staff play a role in connecting and synthesizing knowledge across teams to further the Foundation’s mission and vision. Therefore, this person may be assigned to any of the Foundation’s initiatives based on initiative cycles and evolving organizational needs.
 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Translating Strategic Vision into Action

• Leads and manages the EL staff to support the translation of the EL strategy into initiatives that align with the overall strategic vision of the Foundation.

• Collaborates closely with senior leaders and the EL team to create annual operating plans.

• Collaborates closely with the Senior Director, Policy to plan and implement the EL policy in alignment with the overall policy and EL strategies.

• Ensures that technical assistance and other supports to improve the quality and accessibility of comprehensive EL services are effective and executed at a high level.

• Participates in discussions on programmatic strategy and progress with internal partners and works with the communication and evaluation teams to share appropriate findings internally and externally.

• Develops and cultivates strong working relationships with partner organizations, outside advisors, experts in the field, public sector partners and colleagues in philanthropy.

• Supports the Foundation’s efforts to liaise with local, state and national agencies and key community members and partners to support the delivery of high quality comprehensive EL initiatives.

• Leads the design and execution of EL strategies focused on meaningful stakeholder and community engagement, including communications with parents, community members and community organizations.

• Represents the Foundation publicly and presents/speaks on the Foundation’s EL work to a variety of audiences (e.g., internal staff, government officials, other funders).

• Maintains breadth and depth of knowledge in education policy, research and practice pertinent to the EL priority areas.

Program Management and Monitoring

• Works with staff across departments to accomplish the annual EL strategic goals and work across divisions to accomplish broader Foundation priorities, goals and mission.

• In collaboration with the Senior Director of Evaluation, contributes to the development of measures of program impact and to the periodic assessment, implementation, continuous development and analysis of progress toward the goals and outcomes of the Foundation’s strategy.

• Provides oversight of team members to ensure execution of services at the highest level of quality, timeliness and attention to detail.  

• Provides collective and individual leadership of the EL team to maximize team development and efficacy, including providing regular feedback regarding performance.  

• Ensures EL services, activities and programmatic strategies are compliant with local, state and federal regulations.

• Assists with Board updates, reports and other communications.

Talent

• Leads the planning, recruitment and cultivation of a high-performing EL team within the Foundation to support the execution and sustainability of the overall EL strategy.

• Actively participates in staff development to promote continuous learning in key strategic focus areas at the Foundation.

• Manages direct reports to implement the Mission, vision and goals of the Foundation, including stablishing and monitoring staff performance and development goals, assigning accountabilities, setting objectives, establishing priorities and conducting annual performance appraisals.

• Promotes a culture of high performance and continuous improvement that values learning and a commitment to quality.

• Coaches and develops team using a supportive and collaborative approach on a consistent basis.

FUNCTIONAL/TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Equivalent combinations of work experience and training that provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities will also be considered.

• Bachelor's degree in Education, Special Education or related subject field; OR a Master degree in Education or related field or work toward a Master’s preferred.

• At least 10 years of overall professional experience in education settings.

• Leadership experience with Early Childhood Education organizations and other relevant non-profit enterprises and policy leaders.

• Supervisory experience; proven ability to lead teams to achieve outstanding, sustainable results.

• Proven ability to translate strategy into implementation, identify program objectives, evaluate progress, and independently manage projects through a complete lifecycle.

• General knowledge of the principles and best practices in early childhood education, K-12, and wrap-around services; prior teaching experience preferred.

• Ability to apply and adapt practices and techniques to the special requirements of senior management.

• Ability to present facts and recommendations effectively in oral and written form.

• Ability to work in a computerized environment and have adequate knowledge of word processing, email, internet and spreadsheet software.

• Must be able to read, write and speak the English language at a college level, perform mathematical calculations required for the position and learn to interpret and comprehend company policies and procedures.

• Ability to convey necessary information accurately, listen effectively, and ask questions when clarification is needed.

• Can effectively cope with change and work independently.

• Proficient collaborative, interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills.

• Ability to complete projects accurately and within deadlines.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.