The National Head Start Association (NHSA) is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to coalesce, inspire, and s
Position Announcement: Center on States Project Manager
The National Head Start Association (NHSA) is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to coalesce, inspire, and support the Head Start field as a leader in early childhood education. The opportunity to succeed in school and in life, regardless of circumstances at birth, is a core American value, and for the past fifty years the Head Start movement has embraced the challenge of delivering on that value and developing our nation’s most vulnerable children and their families. A strong and sustainable future for Head Start will mean the success of generations of children who may otherwise struggle throughout their lives. Their future success rests on the knowledge, commitment and collaboration of families, programs, researchers and policymakers. In the fast changing environment characterized by increased public awareness of the importance of high quality early childhood education to children’s later success and by increased public investments in early care and education, Head Start has the opportunity to lead in system building in order to effectively advocate for the most vulnerable children and their families. NHSA’s Center for States cultivates, supports, and disseminates innovations and best practices in statebased early learning systems. In order to further this work, NHSA is seeking a dynamic, hard-working, effective, and mission-driven project manager. JOB SUMMARY: As part of NHSA’s External Affairs team, the Center on States Project Manager is a fulltime position working on state advocacy, legislation, and policy on behalf of Head Start children, parents, staff and alumni nationwide. With a Head Start reauthorization on the horizon, state early learning systems growing in nearly every state and uneven capacity within State/Regional Head Start Associations, the Center on States Project Manager is a new position at NHSA designed to help NHSA and its Center on States better support Head Start grantees and associations in state-based advocacy and policy making. The tasks associated with the position range from coordinating direct state based advocacy efforts to helping state associations build capacity and assisting NHSA senior staff in developing state by state strategies. The position demands a flexible, detail-oriented team player who thrives while managing competing priorities in a fast-paced environment. The Project Manager will work with oversight and guidance from NHSA’s Executive Director, Senior Director for External Affairs, and Director of Government Affairs. PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 1. Support State/Regional Head Start Associations in capacity development, advocacy planning, and 21st century leadership skill development. 2. Cultivate and maintain a network of best practices and information sharing around state based early learning initiatives/policies as well as state/regional association management. 3. Identify and coordinate opportunities within states for additional funding for NHSA members, including state recognition of NHSA’s Quality Initiative. 4. Manage state-based advocacy and policy efforts supporting Head Start grantees, staff, and parents.
5. Grow the Center on States website with fresh, engaging content and maintain State/Regional Head Start Association contact information. 6. Manage and coordinate NHSA senior staff engagement in policy, legislative, and strategic opportunities that support Head Start grantees and State/Regional Head Start Associations. 7. Track and help guide NHSA’s advocacy and lobbying efforts around state funding for Head Start. 8. Represent NHSA and the Head Start community at various meetings with other early learning stakeholders, as appropriate. 9. Manage and coordinate the State Executive Directors Meeting, assist with coordination of Fall and Winter Leadership Institutes and assist in external affairs support for other NHSA conferences. EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND COMPETENCIES: ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Familiarity with and commitment to Head Start and the diverse communities Head Start programs serve. Strong academic success, including a bachelor’s degree at a minimum, with an ability to learn quickly and ask appropriate questions. Demonstrated analytical abilities for synthesis of information and identifying themes and relationships. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Task oriented with an ability to identify and manage competing priorities. Exceptional interpersonal skills and ability to be comfortable and assertive working with large and small groups. Strong attention to detail, superior organizational skills, and computer literacy. A high level of energy, ability to multi-task, and sense of humor. Demonstrated knowledge of association management, early learning policy and/or state systems preferred. One to three years relevant work experience, Head Start and/or association experience preferred.
NHSA offers a competitive salary and excellent benefits package. Interested applicants should submit a resume and cover letter detailing how the applicant’s experience provides a match for the requirements of the position along with a short writing sample (1-3 pages of non-technical writing preferred) by October 1st, 2015. Information should be submitted to Tommy Sheridan at
[email protected].
