Posted: February 20, 2023
Organizational Information
The Children’s Opportunity Alliance (The Alliance) is an independent 501(c)(3) designated as the early care and education coordinating entity for Montgomery County. It is responsible for ensuring an equitable and integrated system of high-quality, accessible, and affordable early care and education options for our youngest citizens. Montgomery County is committed to addressing racism, systemic structures, and barriers that limit access to our County’s racially and economically diverse populations. The Alliance is governed by a Board that is appointed by the County Executive and approved by the County Council. Community engagement, advocacy, accountability, and transparency are key values of the Alliance and will require close collaboration with many diverse stakeholders from the public and private sectors.
Position Summary
An innovative and dynamic Executive Director is crucial in order for the Alliance to fulfill its ambitious mission. The Executive Director will lead a small team responsible for driving the organization’s work forward, spearheading strategy development, stakeholder engagement and facilitation, research, data collection, analysis and evaluation, fundraising, and advocacy. This leader must have a deep understanding of the issues facing young children, especially for vulnerable populations, and be well-versed in systems building. This leader will ensure that equity is front and center as all decisions are made. The Executive Director reports to a 21-member Board of Directors and operates within a growing annual budget of approximately $1.4 million.
Responsibilities
1) Organization Mission and Strategy
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Drive the development of best-in-class early childhood system
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Ensure that the most vulnerable populations are equitably served by County systems and structures
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Collect research and establish data-driven practices to evaluate progress in systems-building
2) Financial Performance and Viability
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Ensure fiscal integrity of The Alliance, including a proposed annual budget and monthly financial statements submitted to the Board
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Lead fundraising efforts with private foundations, businesses, philanthropists, and other major donors to expand The Alliance’s investment capacity and to leverage public funds
3) Community Relations
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Serve as primary spokesperson and public face for The Alliance to promote the organization and its core mission
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Establish and maintain positive working relationships with individuals, families, providers, businesses, groups, and collective impact stakeholders
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Maintain close communication with County Executive, Montgomery County Council, DHHS, MCPS, and other County entities
4) Organization Operations
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Hire, motivate, develop, and retain a team of 3 – 5 employees, contractors, and consultants
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Sign notes, agreements, and other instruments made and entered into — and on behalf of — the organization
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Review and approve contracts for services
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Produce an annual report to highlight accomplishments and goals
5) Board of Directors Relationship
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Lead the organization’s mission, as defined by the Montgomery County Council and The Alliance’s Board of Directors
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Communicate effectively with the Board and provide, in a timely and accurate manner, all information necessary for the Board to function properly and to make informed decisions
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Facilitate Board of Directors’ meetings, post announcements and minutes, and support committee meetings
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Perform other duties as assigned by the Board of Directors
Requirements
Seven to 10 years of extensive, forward-thinking experience in building a nonprofit; skilled in government relations and community building; knowledge of issues related to child and family well-being and early childhood systems; bachelor’s degree in social work, nonprofit management, business administration, early care, and education, or related field from an accredited university; graduate degree and/or commensurate experience in the field.
Qualifications should include:
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Knowledge of theory and practice in social justice, racial equity, and community organizing
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High-level strategic thinking and planning over multi-year horizons
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Financial management skills, including budget preparation, analysis, decision-making, and reporting
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Facilitation, communication, and presentation skills before multiple types of audiences
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Active fundraising experience, excellent donor relations skills, and understanding of the funding community
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Management abilities, especially through times of uncertainty and transition
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Fluency with current technology, social media, and website design
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Knowledge of Montgomery County, and intersections among DHHS, MCPS, local, state, and federal government entities
Compensation
The compensation range for this position is $135,000-$145,000 with benefits.
How to Apply
To apply, please email a cover letter and resume (as attachments) to email – admin@mocochildren.org. The deadline to apply is March 20, 2023. In the subject of your email, please include the words, “Executive Director.”
The Children’s Opportunity Alliance (The Alliance) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Prohibits Discrimination of Any Kind. The Alliance is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. The Alliance will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics, as we foster an open and inclusive professional environment.
