Serve as the organization's strategic lead, setting a clear vision, defining priorities, and aligning partners to strengthen the ECE system across Baton Rouge.

Lead the development and continuous refinement of a comprehensive strategic plan focused on expanding access, improving quality, and supporting the ECE workforce.

Work with partners to ensure effective implementation of a community-wide ECE strategic plan.

Define a clear, shared vision of ECE quality that includes provider support and a strong focus on workforce development.

Identify system gaps and roles and responsibilities the Center for Early Learning Excellence should address to best fulfill its mission.

Stay informed of local, regional, and national best practices to ensure the ECE system remains responsive to local context and evolving conditions.

Serving as the chief fundraiser for the organization and the ECE system in Baton Rouge, in partnership with the Board of Directors and others.

Develop and implement a strategy to maximize every public dollar to provide quality care and education to as many children as possible in the mixed delivery early childhood system through pilots and partnerships, ensuring high-quality service delivery, and supporting participating providers and families.

Oversee strategic financing efforts, including efforts to increase sustainable public funding for ECE in Baton Rouge and support sustainable growth of the organization and the region’s early learning system.

Build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with all ECE providers, including public schools, private centers, Head Start grantees, and family child care providers, as well as health care providers, and other organizations and agencies that provide services to families with young children.

Build and sustain a coalition of public and private partners, including ECE providers, business, government agencies, community leaders, and funders, who can act through influence, funding, and leadership to implement the community-wide plan.

Pursue Louisiana Department of Education Ready Start designation and transition responsibilities smoothly from the local school system, ensuring appropriate approvals by all parties.

Serve as a visible, trusted spokesperson and advocate for the local ECE system.

Develop and lead a family-centered communications strategy to ensure families can easily navigate the system and access available services.

Build a strong brand among the Baton Rouge community to invest in the entire community’s ECE vision and plan.

Tell the story of ECE in Baton Rouge in ways that are compelling and attract resources and support to advance collective efforts to strengthen the local ECE system.

Advocate with policy makers and others to bring additional resources to the ECE system.

Lead organization startup and launch, and support its scaling and long-term sustainability, including hiring staff, securing resources, and establishing internal operations.

Support the organization through the development of a multi-year strategic plan in the first year.

Lead a team that ensures the availability of consistent and reliable data to inform planning, drive quality improvement, and measure progress against established goals.

Work closely with the Board of Directors to shape organizational governance and advance the organization’s mission.

Establish systems for effective and transparent financial management and manage budgets, contracts, funding streams, and reporting requirements.

Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal laws and requirements, and report transparently to stakeholders.

Other duties as assigned.

Bachelor’s degree in education, public policy, public administration, nonprofit management, or a related field.

Proven leadership experience in early childhood education, education systems and nonprofits or public-sector organizations.

Understanding of ECE systems, programs, regulations, and funding sources (e.g., Head Start, Child Care Assistance Program, etc.).

Experience leading cross-sector initiatives and building partnerships across diverse stakeholders.

Demonstrated success in fundraising, grant management, and public-private partnerships.

Track record of launching or scaling initiatives, especially in early childhood or human services.

Advanced degree (e.g., M.Ed., MPA, MBA, MSW, JD, or a related field).

Knowledge of Baton Rouge communities

Deep knowledge of the local, statewide, regional and national ECE landscape

Experience with strategic financing and resource development to support system-wide initiatives

Experience working directly with families, community organizations, and/or government agencies to strengthen access to early childhood or human services.

Entrepreneurial strategic thinker with an operational lens: you see the big picture AND execute the details

Relationship builder who can earn trust across institutions and communities

Clear communicator who can make complex systems understandable to families, funders, and policymakers

Comfortable with ambiguity, adaptable, and energized by building something from scratch

Deep commitment to supporting young children and families in Baton Rouge