The Organization
Since its beginnings in 2002, the Collaboration for Early Childhood (the Collab) has embraced the vision that all children should arrive at kindergarten safe, healthy, ready to succeed and eager to learn. The Collab’s focus has always been on how much impact the organization could have on the youngest among us in the community.
Position Overview
Since its beginnings in 2002, the Collaboration for Early Childhood (the Collab) has embraced the vision that all children should arrive at kindergarten safe, healthy, ready to succeed and eager to learn. The Collab’s focus has always been on how much impact the organization could have on the youngest among us in the community.
The Executive Director of the Collaboration for Early Childhood will be provided the opportunity to substantially shape the long-term future of this highly accomplished, regionally recognized early education organization with a trusted reputation, dedicated staff and an engaged Board of Directors. Specifically, the Executive Director will be charged with taking the organization into its next phase of organizational life.
The Collab’s next Executive Director will have the opportunity to leverage the organization’s expanded influence and funding, potentially beyond the state of Illinois. The Executive Director will enhance the organization’s advocacy profile and will help shape a policy agenda for early learning. He/She/They will help expand the organization’s opportunities for revenue generation, diversification, and strategic partnerships. Most significantly, the Collab will continue to serve as one of the state’s primary thought leaders in early childhood education.
This next leader will continue to deepen relationships with the local schools, PTOs, Village management, the business community and healthcare providers. The ED will help move the organization towards being a more professionalized, mature nonprofit by continuing to support the Board and their goal to transition from being a working board (doing) to a governing board (vision, oversight).
The chief executive will be supported by a motivated, dedicated 14-member board seeking to build upon a strong foundation and advance our effectiveness, impact and influence with ambition. The budget for 2023 is $1.9 million.
The Collab has been thoughtful about their organizational journey around diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility through the lens of early childhood education. There is an ever-growing appreciation for health equity, racial justice and the new conversations and collaborations that may bring new opportunities and deeper impact.
Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director provides leadership and direction in fulfilling and advancing the vision, mission, values and goals of the Collaboration. The Executive Director is responsible for leading the Collab in achieving its operational and strategic goals including successful performance on the Contract for Services with the Village of Oak Park and School Districts 97 and 200; donor development and grant seeking; program development and operations; fiscal management; board relations; human capital management; data collection and analysis; and administrative matters.
The next Executive Director will be an experienced, visionary leader with progressive leadership experience and a passion for the unique mission and vision of the Collaboration for Early Childhood. This person will bring to the Collaboration demonstrated accomplishments in working successfully and respectfully in racially, ethnically and economically diverse settings to achieve practices and partnerships that dismantle structural inequities and increase inclusion.
He/She/They will have prior management experience, preferably in nonprofit management and/or collective impact leadership, and will have analytical, organizational and problem-solving skills that support sound decision-making. Strong business, financial and organizational knowledge will be evidenced by a proven ability to set clear priorities, delegate and guide the investment of human and other resources to help achieve goals.
The minimum of a bachelor’s degree is required, though a master’s or advanced degree is preferred. Evidence of continuing education, certification and executive level training is desirable.
The salary range for this position is between $120,000 and $140,000 and will be commensurable with experience. The Collab offers a comprehensive benefits package, including but not limited to 12 paid holidays, vacation days and group health insurance, as well as a retirement plan.
It is the policy of the Collaboration to afford equal employment opportunities regardless of actual or perceived race, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, religion, marital status, disability, sex, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, military or veteran status, order of protection status, genetic information, or any other category protected by applicable law. This policy of equal employment applies to all aspects of the employment relationship, including but not limited to: initial consideration for employment; job placement and assignment of responsibilities; performance evaluation; promotion and advancement; compensation and fringe benefits; training and professional development opportunities; formulation and application of human resource policies and rules; facility and service accessibility; and discipline and termination.
TO APPLY
Applications and nominations are being received by Kittleman & Associates, LLC. To apply, please send a current resume and letter of interest to https://bit.ly/3tBKpLu (click on the Apply button at the bottom of the page).