Associate Director, Early Childhood Strategic Initiatives and Impact Position Available In Mercer, New Jersey

Associate Director, Early Childhood Strategic Initiatives and Impact Children’s Home Society – 3.4 Trenton, NJ Job Details Full-time $85,000 – $112,000 a year 9 hours ago Benefits Disability insurance Health insurance Dental insurance Paid time off Vision insurance 403(b) Qualifications Nonprofit management Management 5 years Program development Early childhood education Data analysis skills Research Quality assurance Bachelor’s degree Public relations English Senior level

Full Job Description Overview:

The Associate Director, Early Childhood Strategic Initiatives and Impact serves as a strategic partner and key advisor to the Vice President of Early Childhood Development, playing a vital role in advancing the mission, sustainability, and growth of CHSofNJ’s early childhood education programs. Blending the strategic oversight of a Chief of Staff with the outcome-driven focus of a Quality Assurance and Improvement Director, this role drives programmatic excellence while championing innovation, continuous improvement, long-term sustainability, and measurable impact. The Associate Director ensures program goals are met or exceeded and fosters effective cross-functional collaboration to best support enrolled children and families. The Associate Director also leads external and internal communications for the agency’s early childhood education initiatives, supporting fund development, program expansion, and strategic partnerships. Communications responsibilities include funding proposals, data and outcome reports, annual reports, policies and procedures, and correspondence with local, state, and federal partners.

Location:

635

South Clinton Avenue, Trenton, New Jersey Schedule:

35

Hours Per Week Salary Range :

$85,000 – $112,000/annual

Benefits:

Medical, Dental, Vision, Flexibility Spending Account, Life and LTD Insurances, 403(b) plans

PTO:

Vacation, Sick, Personal, Wellness, and Holidays Responsibilities:

Job Responsibilities:

Cross-Functional Collaboration and Leadership Serve as a key advisor to the Vice President, providing insight and recommendations on emerging issues and opportunities Facilitate coordination across departments (e.g., program operations, finance, HR, marketing) to ensure aligned implementation of strategic initiatives Support team development by fostering a collaborative environment and assisting with the identification of professional development gaps across early childhood programs Quality Assurance, Improvement, and Evaluation Oversee the development and implementation of continuous quality improvement strategies to ensure compliance with HSPPS, agency policies, and contractual obligations Collaborate with program leadership to establish data-driven goals; monitor and evaluate program performance using qualitative and quantitative data to identify areas for improvement and ensure measurable outcomes Develop systems for tracking key performance indicators, conducting internal reviews, and implementing corrective action plans when necessary Ensure timely and accurate completion of internal and external reports required by funders, government agencies, and leadership Translate data findings into actionable insights and communicate trends, risks, and opportunities to leadership Strategic Program Advancement Partner with the Vice President to set and execute long-term goals for growth, sustainability, and innovation Design and implement strategic initiatives that strengthen service delivery, operational efficiency, and outcomes Develop actionable plans to support organizational goals and monitor implementation across departments Enforce accountability structures to ensure initiatives stay on schedule and deliver intended impact Support the identification and development of new or evolving staff positions in alignment with strategic goals Communications and Stakeholder Engagement Lead the development of high-quality written materials including funding applications, waivers, carryover requests, annual reports, data summaries, etc. Manage communications with external partners, including local, state, and federal agencies and community partner organizations Support PR and reputation management efforts through strategic messaging and issue management Funding Strategy and Proposal Management Lead the development of competitive grant proposal packages aligned with current funding requirements for Head Start/Early Head Start and other early childhood funding opportunities Coordinate with program, finance, and executive teams to gather data used to develop narratives and supporting documentation for submission Monitor grant timelines to ensure deadlines are met Compliance Ensure compliance with all applicable regulations governing early childhood education, including Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS) and the Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200) Monitor programmatic and operational activities to proactively identify and address compliance risks Lead or support the development, revision, and enforcement of policies and procedures for regulatory alignment and consistency across early childhood programs Coordinate agency readiness for monitoring reviews, audits, and site visits conducted by oversight entities (e.g., Office of Head Start, state licensing bodies) Serve as a resource and advisor to staff on compliance-related matters

Qualifications:

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in English, Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Non-Profit Management, or related field

Experience:

At least five years of professional experience in each of the following: Developing Head Start and Early Head Start grant proposals, including those aligned with the revised Head Start Grant Application Instructions (version 3.01, issued March 2024) Writing for a range of purposes and audiences, including complex funding applications, waivers, carryover requests, programmatic data reports, government communications, and policy and procedure documents Designing and implementing strategic program advancement goals supported by clear, actionable plans, and ensuring colleague accountability to keep projects on schedule and aligned with intended outcomes Leading program-wide or agency-wide quality assurance and improvement efforts Applying the Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS) with a high level of knowledge and practical competence

Key Qualifications :

Proven experience in nonprofit management, program development, communications, quality assurance and improvement, strategic planning, and cross-functional leadership Exceptional writing, communication, research, data analysis, and presentation skills Strong ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, shifting focus and reprioritizing as needed to meet all deadlines Deep knowledge of early childhood education and child and family development, combined with a solid understanding of public relations and reputation management principles Demonstrated success partnering and working effectively with diverse groups, including clients, cross-functional colleagues, Board of Trustees, Policy Council, community partners, and local, state, and federal agencies Ability to maintain a strategic, big-picture perspective while executing detailed, high-quality work