Education Development Center (EDC) is a global nonprofit that advances lasting solutions to improve education, promote health, and expand economic opportunity. Since 1958, we have been a leader in designing, implementing, and evaluating powerful and innovative programs in more than 80 countries around the world.

EDC promotes equity and access to high quality education and health services and products that contribute to thriving communities where people from diverse backgrounds learn, live, and work together. We support an inclusive workplace culture that embraces many perspectives and broadens our understanding of the communities we serve, enhancing and enriching our work.

EDC is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

The Rhode Island Center for Early Learning Professionals, located in Warwick, RI, seeks an experienced professional with a strong early childhood background to serve as the Project Director (II). This position is based in the Warwick, RI office and reports to the Early Childhood Portfolio Director.                              

The Rhode Island Center for Early Learning Professionals (RI CELP) is funded by the Rhode Island Department of Human Services and Rhode Island Department of Education to advance the quality of Rhode Island’s early childhood programs including public school, Head Start, center-based child care, and family child care early learning programs. The RI CELP serves as the hub for professional development and technical assistance supports for the early childhood community of providers. The RI CELP works collaboratively with state agencies and other partners to support high quality early childhood services across the state of Rhode Island.

The Project Director (II) will lead a talented team of early childhood professionals in delivering high quality professional development and technical assistance to early care administrators and teachers. The Project Director (II) will bring strong planning and management skills to the daily operations of the RI CELP as well as a continuous quality improvement mindset to strengthen the impact and delivery of services. The Project Director (II) will also bring deep expertise in the early childhood field to support the development and implementation of the State’s priorities and initiatives. A key component of the Project Director (II) role will be to build effective relationships with funders, state agencies, and other partners to foster collaboration and coordination of services.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The person in this position is expected to communicate clearly and courteously; to develop and maintain positive relationships with clients, consultants, collaborators, co-workers, field sites, and funders; and to work respectfully with EDC colleagues. The job requires adherence to EDC policies & procedures.

The Project Director (II)

• Is responsible for programmatic/technical success as well as for administrative/business/financial viability of each project
• Is primarily responsible for the production and management of resources to meet project or program development implementation objectives
• Directs
  • programs/projects of significant complexity, diversity, strategic impact, or scope
  • project, program or product development teams in planning for proposal submissions, project performance, and adherence to schedules, resource requirements, and quality standards
  • training for project activities
  • technical and creative production
  • review processes
• Approves plan revisions, sets priorities & strategies; evaluates progress
• Defines roles and goals
• Determines resource needs; arranges appropriate internal or subcontracted services
• Oversees
  • internal & external communications
  • project documentation
  • financial management
  • staff selection and placement
  • subcontractor and partner relationships
  • administrative support
• Offers senior-level technical content support; may act as Principal Investigator for complex assignments
• Presents project progress &/or results in public fora &/or publications
• Develops policies & procedures to improve project/program management efficiency, quality, consistency or effectiveness; implements and enforces Center and EDC policies, procedures or systems 
• Is responsible for forecasting and budget development
• Generates additional work for EDC through business development efforts

The Project Director (II)

• Promotes equity and opportunity in support of EDC’s commitment to diversity
• Builds positive client, vendor, and funder relations
• Coordinates work of team leaders &/or project staff who may be located in field or remote sites
• Guides feedback exchanges
• Train and coaches
• Supervises technical &/or administrative staff; may have administrative supervision over 1-5 staff and provide technical direction to additional staff
• May organize cross-Center or interdepartmental activities
• May be involved directly with program participants or team members, collaborating to achieve project or program objectives
• May travel frequently throughout the state of RI

This position requires educational achievement; excellent writing skills; demonstrable initiative, creativity, and flexibility; ability to work independently and effectively in groups; and strong interpersonal & organizational skills. Specific requirements:

• Master’s degree or equivalent combination of training & experience required in a related discipline
• PhD or equivalent in a related discipline desirable
• 8–10 years related experience, with 3–5 years of complex project management  experience, including budget responsibility and staff supervision 
• Demonstrable leadership skills
• Excellent analytical skills and aptitude for details
• Knowledge of federal early childhood programs and regulations; knowledge of the Rhode Island early education systems, Early Learning and Development Standards, Workforce Knowledge and Competencies frameworks, state licensing regulations, CECE Approval standards, and QRIS framework is strongly preferred.
• Meets the qualifications outlined in Rhode Island’s Workforce Knowledge and Competencies for PD Providers and Higher Ed Faculty and Staff (Qualifications)

EDC is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to enhancing the diversity of its workforce and ensuring an equitable and highly inclusive work environment. EDC is a smoke-free workplace, and offers a supportive work environment, competitive salary, and excellent benefits. Women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans are encouraged to apply.