Assistant Director

The Illinois Network of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (INCCRRA) is hiring an Assistant Director for their newly launched department tasked with building a new, regional, statewide early childhood infrastructure, Birth to Five Illinois (https://www.birthtofiveil.com/). The Assistant Director will play a vital role in establishing the foundation of support for this statewide effort.

Background on Birth to Five Illinois

Illinois has a goal of becoming the best state in the nation for families raising young children. In December 2019, the Governor appointed and charged the Commission on Equitable Early Childhood Education and Care Funding with making recommendations for how to provide "equitable access to high-quality Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) services for all children birth through age five". The recommendations prioritized the establishment of a statewide infrastructure (which has been named Birth to Five Illinois) comprised of Councils in each of the State's 39 regions to address the currently existing inequities in our state's financing of early childhood services.

About INCCRRA

The Illinois Network of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies (INCCRRA) is a statewide organization which - in partnership with its 16 local Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) Agencies - is a recognized leader for making high-quality, affordable early care available for children and families in Illinois. INCCRRA serves as the home for the Birth to Five Illinois Department.

The Position

The Birth to Five Illinois Assistant Director will be responsible for supporting the establishment and growth of Birth to Five Illinois, working to support the expansion of access to affordable, high-quality Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) that meets the needs of families, especially those furthest from opportunity. The Assistant Director will support the Department goals by providing day-to-day management of the Regional Council Managers around the State in their implementation of the State's goals, as well as provide technical assistance and training on diversity, equity, inclusion, and access.

The ideal candidate is comfortable in a "start-up" environment with the skills to learn in real-time, pivot quickly, and effectively engage a broad spectrum of stakeholders at varying levels of leadership. The Birth to Five Illinois Assistant Director should understand principles of community organizing, be an active listener, and is someone committed to racial, economic, and geographic equity.

The Birth to Five Illinois Assistant Director reports to the State Director and will manage a team of Managers. The Assistant Director must live within the state of Illinois and be productive in a hybrid work environment. The Assistant Director will travel regularly across the State.

Responsibilities: Direct Management (80% of duties)

• Providing direct supervision and guidance for regional staff across the State
• Soliciting feedback, insight, and input from regional staff across the State
• Working with the State Director and Director of Operations to define and execute the scope of work, including setting deadlines, delegating tasks, and holding regional staff accountable
• Contributing to the professional development of Department staff
• Assisting the State Director and Director of Operations in the establishment of goals for the Department based on identified needs and State goals
• Nurturing effective communications with varied audiences while managing multiple projects
• Facilitating large and small group discussions, both in-person and virtually
• Completing and submitting required reports in a timely manner
• Performing other job-related duties as assigned
• Traveling within the State as needed
• Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Technical Support & Training (20% of duties)
• In collaboration with the Birth to Five Illinois Directors, Communications Team, and Data Strategist, assist in creating a departmental Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) plan that details goals, metrics, and strategies
• Assisting in the application of a racial equity lens throughout Department work
• In partnership with the Project Coordinator, developing and co-facilitating trainings on DEI concepts and developing the skills and knowledge of staff
• Aiding in the design of Department practices that reinforce diversity in the workplace and protect minoritized groups

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree required (master's degree preferred) in relevant field of study with preference given to candidates with experience in strategic planning/implementation, community planning, early childhood education, and/or diversity, equity, and inclusion
• A minimum of five years full-time experience in a leadership/management position in a public or private organization
• Experience supervising and leading a team of direct reports
• Preferred knowledge and experience with the reflective supervision model
• Ability to work with a diverse group of community members and staff
• Ability to lead a team of individuals in a manner that fosters mutual respect, a culture of creativity, critical thinking, accountability, and collaboration
• Ability to work well in a fast moving, start-up environment
• Ability to work well independently and within a team environment
• Demonstrate excellent communication skills, including public speaking and in written materials
• Use computers, Microsoft Office, email, and video conferencing proficiently