Job Description
Summary The Executive Director leads AzAEYC, a state affiliate of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), in fulfilling its mission to promote equitable access to high-quality, developmentally appropriate early learning for children from birth through age eight. This role combines strategic vision, operational leadership, and collaborative partnership-building to strengthen early childhood education across Arizona.
Duties Program Leadership - Direct the development, delivery, and evaluation of programs in alignment with AzAEYC?s mission and NAEYC standards.
- Lead professional development initiatives for early childhood educators and manage the AZToolkit platform.
- Embed diversity, equity, and inclusion into all programming and advocate for underserved communities.
Strategic and Organizational Leadership - Guide strategic planning and organizational growth to ensure long-term sustainability.
- Advocate for early childhood education policies at the local, state, and federal levels in alignment with NAEYC priorities.
- Build and maintain partnerships with government agencies, nonprofits, educators, and other stakeholders.
- Collaborate with the Board of Directors on governance and strategic direction.
Membership and Engagement - Support a diverse and growing membership base.
- Promote AzAEYC as a high-performing Inclusive Organization, in partnership with the Board President.
Operations and Staff Management - Supervise and support a small, remote team to foster a collaborative and productive work culture.
- Ensure operational excellence across programmatic and administrative systems.
- Maintain compliance with applicable regulations and NAEYC standards.
Finance and Development - Oversee the organization?s financial health, including budget development and fiscal oversight.
- Lead fundraising efforts, including grants, donor engagement, and partnerships.
- Ensure effective implementation and reporting for all funded initiatives.
Requirements - Bachelor?s degree (Public Administration, Nonprofit Management, Early Childhood Education preferred).
- 3?5 years of leadership and supervisory experience in early childhood, nonprofit, or related sectors.
- Experience working with a Board of Directors and diverse stakeholders.
- Knowledge of early childhood education policy, program development, and advocacy.
- Strong leadership, strategic, financial, and communication skills.
Nice To Haves Preferred - Master?s degree in a related field.
- Experience with early childhood professional development initiatives.
- Familiarity with NAEYC accreditation and Arizona?s early childhood systems.
Key Competencies - Leadership: Inspires and mobilizes teams and stakeholders
- Communication: Skilled in both written and verbal communication
- Technology: Uses digital tools effectively to support operations
- Advocacy: Engages in policy and systems change
- Financial Acumen: Manages budgets and funding strategies with integrity
- Equity Focus: Champions inclusive practices and equitable access to learning
Position Details - Schedule: 20 hours/week, year-round; flexible hours (mostly M?F with some evenings/weekends)
- Classification: Hourly, Non-exempt
- Reports to: Governing Board President
- Supervises: Communications Specialist
- Travel: Limited and occasional
- Remote: Open to any potential candidate in AZ only
Application Materials - Resume/CV
- Cover Letter & Professional Statement (please include a one-page, single-spaced, 12 font Professional Statement after your Cover Letter)
OPEN Until Filled
Work Remotely This is a remote position
About Us At AzAEYC, we believe that all young children thrive and learn in a society dedicated to ensuring they reach their full potential. We advance a diverse, dynamic early childhood profession and support all who care for, educate, and work on behalf of young children. We promote high-quality early learning for all children, birth through age 8, by connecting practice, policy, and research.
Job Tags
Hourly pay, Part time, Local area, Remote job, Flexible hours, Weekend work, Afternoon shift,