Job Details

United Way Equity Definition

We recognize that structural racism and other forms of oppression have contributed to persistent disparities in our region. We must focus our work on the most marginalized groups, and we know that centering race and ethnicity is critical to ending the historical and social inequities that continue to exist in our region.

Purpose of this Role

The Early Learning Multnomah Director directs United Way's Early Learning Multnomah (ELM) Hub, the implementation of Multnomah's Preschool For All, and our involvement in other early learning collaborative efforts across the region that is covered by the United Way of the Columbia-Willamette and nationally. In this role, the Director will play a convening, facilitating, and leadership role for ELM at a local, regional, and state level – building trust and strong relationships with diverse stakeholders; ensuring that ELM is a champion for racial equity; facilitating planning, decisions, and action; fostering constant communication; connecting and aligning strategies and resources; cultivating an environment that measures and makes progress on identified outcomes through the use of shared data, measurement, and accountability; and performing other duties as assigned by the Sr. Director of Education Initiatives.

Must be able to work a flexible schedule with the possibility of some early morning, evening, and weekend work.

Key Accountabilities

Strategic Alignment of Programs, Strategies, and Resources – 40%

• Within identified United Way priority areas, develop mutually reinforcing strategies for reaching and impacting key communities by connecting and aligning strategically with all available programs, assets, people, and resources using Equity Principles and Guidelines.
• Direct the creation and implementation of county-wide assessments and action plans as required by the state and local partnerships.
• Represent United Way, MEI, and ELM in the implementation of Preschool for All.
• Represent United Way and ELM in national cohorts with an early childhood policy focus.
• Lead United Way involvement and represent ELM in advocacy coalitions at national, state and local levels.
• Guide ELM's Coordinated Enrollment team with the Senior Manager for Early Care and Education.
• Guide ELM's parent leadership work with the ELM Senior Manager.

Staff Leadership and Development – 25%

• Select, guide, motivate, and participate in the training, professional development, and evaluation of direct reports.
• Provide goal-setting, visioning, leadership, equity-centered, and strategic direction for ELM Team members.
• Ensure that ELM Team members are invested in team activities and decisions and that the team works together to achieve organizational goals.
• Responsible for accurate and timely completion and/or approval of organizational documents, including but not limited to performance reviews, professional development plans, goals and objectives, timecards, expense and travel reimbursements, credit card reports, requisitions, and ongoing documentation of performance accomplishments and areas requiring improvement.

Data-Driven Shared Accountability – 25%

• Establish an environment of mutual trust and accountability for results by assuring that reliable data is available and used by United Way and partners throughout our work.
• Ensure Early Learning Multnomah meets all contract specifications and performance standards set by the state.
• Oversee contract administration and financial management for the ELM Team.

Internal Collaboration – 5%

• Work collaboratively with the Community Impact and Resource Development (including Marketing) Teams to communicate the impact of UWCW Racial Equity initiatives to corporate and individual donors as well as the broader community.

Leadership – 5%

• Demonstrate adaptive leadership within the Community Impact Department and across collaborative, cross-sector partnerships, leveraging emotional intelligence to foster trust, empathy, and open communication to establish a shared commitment to the United Way and our community's vision, while navigating challenging and inspiring collective action.

Collaborate, Facilitation, and Action - Daily

• Develop and lead strategic relationship engagement plans with key sectoral partners including business, human services, health, education, and early learning sectors and culturally specific organizations.
• Facilitate decisions, plans, and actions to help move key strategies forward in accomplishing both short-term tasks and long-term results.

Trusting and Strong Relationships - Daily

• Foster trust and commitment among partners to collaboratively advance a long-term vision that centers racial equity, ensuring every community member—especially those from marginalized and underserved groups—has access to stable housing, equitable employment opportunities, and pathways to upward mobility.

Constant Communication - Daily

• Maintain an environment of constant and open communication among all partners.

Innovation and Creativity - Daily

• Foster innovation and creativity by encouraging new ways of thinking and working, sharing best or promising practices with others, and establishing a safe environment for risk-taking.

Simplification - Daily

• Help accomplish work by simplifying complexity.

Culture and Diversity - Daily

• Apply a strong racial equity and inclusion lens to all Early learning work, ensuring that strategies and practices actively promote diversity, including the elimination of systemic barriers for marginalized communities.

Performs other duties as assigned by the Chief Impact Officer.

This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. This is not an exhaustive list of all required duties, responsibilities, and skills. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable disabled individuals to perform the essential functions of the job.

Additional Competencies and Required Skills

• Self-Management
• Communication Skills
• Utilize and Acquire Knowledge
• Visionary
• Outward-Turning
• Demonstrates Social Responsibility and Stewardship
• Facilitates Teamwork
• Embraces Ambiguity and Paradox
• Demonstrates Complexity and Systems Thinking
• Shares Power and Decision-Making

Supervision and Working Relationships

Supervisory Direction Received:

• Position works under the general direction of the Sr. Director of Education Initiatives.
• Requires planning and arranging of own work in relation to overall set objectives.
• Work subject to review and evaluation by the Sr. Director of Education Initiatives.

Working Relationships:

• United Way staff and volunteers; funded partners; local, regional, and state government staff and leaders; and community and nonprofit leaders.
• Coordinate with all Community Impact staff members to foster ongoing, effective relationships with key community stakeholders across the region.
• Support Resource Development staff to engage and communicate about our community impact strategies effectively with donors.

Supervises:

• Senior Manager for Early Care and Education.
• Early Learning Multnomah Senior Manager.
• Early Learning Multnomah/MEI Project Administrator.

Education, Skills, Experience, and Training Required for this Position

• Minimum 8 years related work experience in the human service field, with program development, administration, and fiscal oversight; BA degree in Business Administration or related field; or a comparable combination of experience and education.
• Existing understanding of and experience working within the Early Learning Community.
• Experience leading a collaborative effort involving a variety of diverse stakeholders.
• Experience working in early learning as a preschool teacher or daycare provider - within the four-county region preferred.
• Minimum 3 years of supervisory skills and experience.
• Effective oral and written communication skills with an ability to relate with a diverse group of individuals or organizations in an effective manner.
• Ability to think strategically with proven, strong ability to execute on plan.
• Ability to take initiative and be creative in thinking and solutions.
• High-energy individual with a positive outlook.
• Manage expectations of internal team members effectively and a strong desire and aptitude to be part of a team environment.
• Commitment to excellence and to the mission of United Way.

Technical Knowledge

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office. Outlook and virtual meeting platforms (such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or similar) are required as these tools are integral to daily organizational operations and collaboration.
• Must have a valid driver's license, automobile insurance, and a reliable vehicle.

Physical Requirements

• Work is primarily performed indoors, within an open office setting with a moderate noise level and occasional exposure to scents.
• Frequently required to sit/stand at a computer in a stationary position.
• Frequently operates a computer and other office productivity equipment, such as copy machine, printer, phone, and fax machine.
• Frequently required to move about inside the office for meetings, access to information, office equipment, etc.
• Frequently required to travel locally for meetings that occur in other office settings.
• Frequently required to travel regionally and occasionally nationally for meetings, training, and conferences in other office settings throughout the year.

This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. This is not an exhaustive list of all required duties, responsibilities, and skills. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable disabled individuals to perform the essential functions of the job.