Senior Manager of Statewide Initiatives

Reports To: Executive Director

Salary Range: $80,000-$90,000 dependent on experience, with opportunities for advancement

To Apply: Visit our hiring site here

About United 4 Children 

United 4 Children (U4C) makes children a priority. By providing children with healthy meals, creating safe places to learn and play, and providing social-emotional and inclusive services for children with special needs or challenging behaviors – United 4 Children ensures every child has the foundation to thrive. U4C offers high-quality support programs serving children up to 13 so that families can feel at ease knowing their children, regardless of ability, are receiving the best care possible and have every opportunity to succeed.

United 4 Children’s Values 

At United 4 Children, it is expected that we center our common values in the work that we do individually and together. We hold each other accountable to live out these values in our work and celebrate with each other as we demonstrate the following:

• Community – We put the needs and desires of children, families, and caregivers at the center of our work. We partner with schools and fellow nonprofit organizations to create excellent educational and developmental opportunities for every child in the region.
• Trust – For the last 50 years, we have been honest and earnest in all our interactions. We strive to readily meet community needs particularly where other resources do not exist.
• Equity – We seek to understand the disparities facing children, families, and childcare providers. We ensure everyone has access to the resources needed to thrive.
• Empathy – We strive to understand the unique experiences of every person we encounter. We respect each person’s journey and seek to support everyone’s specific needs.

Overview:

The Senior Manager of Statewide Initiative is a critical component in ensuring compliance with statewide contracts and aligning U4C’s statewide strategy. The senior manager works with program managers to effectively serve children, families, and ECE providers across the state. They oversee the successful implementation of the inclusion, nutrition, and early care and education resource and referral (ECERR) state contracts.  United 4 Children is an official sponsor of the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) for family home child care providers in Missouri. We provide child nutrition education and reimbursement for meals and snacks served to children that meet the USDA guidelines. Through inclusion services, children with developmental, behavioral or physical challenges and their families are offered security, compassion, and understanding. We assist families in locating quality inclusive programs and work with the program staff to ensure the best care possible. As Missouri’s Early Care and Education Resource and Referral Network, United 4 Children provides resource and referral services to early child care professionals, advocates, and families throughout Missouri.

What You Will Do 

• Reflective Supervision with Program Managers to support their work with their teams to meet service delivery milestones.
• Work with Operations and Wellbeing Director and Research and Data Analysis Manager to develop systems that help managers:Understand program deliverables and timeline requirements from funding sources.
• Identify and provide training and materials needed to support quality program delivery to ensure consistent delivery of service
• Identify team strengths and opportunities and utilize them to improve delivery and documentation of services.
• Work with Marketing Manager and program managers to create marketing materials for the inclusion, nutrition, and Early Childcare Education Resource & Referral (ECERR) services.
• Work with managers to prepare for and participate in program audits for contracts.
• Develop policies, procedures and systems to ensure quality delivery of services, and use of program budget to support successful contract delivery.
• Work with Research and Data Analysis Manager and contract managers to define outcomes, identify evaluation methods, and ensure data collected is accurate and timely.
• Develop training to build agency managers’ skills and capacity to implement project management and leadership best practices.
• Develop relationships and steward approved partnerships with stakeholders across Missouri.
• Serve as the liaison between United 4 Children and the state contract managers.
• Actively participate in required meetings and personal professional development.
• Effectively work cross departmentally to best meet the needs of the children and providers served.
• Other duties as assigned

Skills We Are Looking For 

• A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood, Elementary Education, Child Psychology, Social Work, Instructional/Educational Leadership, Program Evaluation or closely related field.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience managing teams.
• A minimum of three years of experience managing a state contract.
• Knowledge of the federal requirements and funding sources for child care services in Missouri.
• Working knowledge of Missouri’s child care environment and landscape, ECE services, and the needs of children, families, and ECE professionals in Missouri.
• Knowledge of early intervention services and best practices.
• Knowledge of the Child and Adult Food Nutrition program.
• Pass a Family Care and Safety Registry Screening
• Authorized to work in the United States
• Ability to retain a minimum of liability vehicle insurance
• Experience and skill working with diverse populations
• Successful implementation of trauma informed strategies
• Conscientious use of justice, equity, and inclusion lens when working with self and others
• Successful at working in multiple teams simultaneously
• Ability to work some weekends and nights
• Ability to travel throughout the state

Perks and Benefits 

• Health, dental and vision insurance
• 401 (K) contribution
• Short-term and long-term disability
• Employer paid life insurance
• PTO (PAID TIME OFF)
• Flexible Schedule
• Hybrid work environment
• Employee Assistance Program
• Ask about our other benefits

United 4 Children is an equal opportunity employer. United 4 children does not discriminate in employment with regard to race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship status, ancestry, age, sex (including sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, physical or mental disability, military status or unfavorable discharge from military service or any other characteristic protected by law. Equal access to programs, services, and employment is available to all qualified persons. Those applicants requiring accommodation to complete the application and/or interview process should contact a management representative.