Vice President of External Relations

About Gateway Early Childhood Alliance

The Gateway Early Childhood Alliance is working to create and sustain an early childhood system that ensures children and families in the St. Louis region have access to high-quality early childhood care and education.

The Alliance envisions a resilient, thriving early childcare system in which kids ages 0-5 can learn and grow in a joyful, high-quality early care and education environment, regardless of their race, family income level or zip code.

In collaboration with providers, families, community partners, business leaders, policymakers, and funders, The Alliance is building networks of relationships that bridge sectors and activate new voices, leading the work to make the early childhood system more racially equitable and a valued regional priority.

Position Overview 

The Vice President of External Relations will play a crucial leadership role at Gateway Early Childhood Alliance, overseeing all organizational fundraising efforts in close collaboration with the Executive Director and the Board of Directors. This strategic leader will be responsible for strengthening relationships with business leaders and organizations throughout the St. Louis region and across Missouri. Additionally, the VP will connect with similar organizations in peer markets to bring national best practices to the Alliance, ensuring that St. Louis remains at the forefront of early childhood education.

This position reports to the Executive Director.

Key Responsibilities

Build Funding Sustainability

• Develop and implement comprehensive contributed revenue strategies to establish sustainable funding for the Alliance, with a focus on securing multi-year commitments and institutional support.
• Lead and manage the grants process, including identifying funding opportunities, submitting applications, and ensuring compliance with reporting requirements.
• Explore and pursue collaborative funding opportunities with regional and state-wide partners.
• Create compelling communications and marketing collateral to support the development of relationships with both existing and potential funders.

Partner Engagement

• Build strong support for the Alliance’s initiatives within the St. Louis business community by engaging with business leaders, resource groups, and economic development and workforce partners.
• Develop and maintain relationships with business coalitions across Missouri to enhance and strengthen advocacy efforts for the Alliance’s priorities.
• Liaise with partners, including peer organizations, business groups, and policymakers across the state to advance initiatives that support a thriving and accessible early childhood education sector.
• Coordinate alignment of regional early childhood education policy priorities across private, public, and philanthropic sector partners engaging in advocacy.

Identify National Best Practices

• Identify and engage with peer organizations in other metropolitan areas across the United States to inform and guide the Alliance’s work in St. Louis and Missouri.
• Seek opportunities to showcase the Alliance’s success on the national stage, positioning St. Louis as a leader in early childhood education.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Proven experience in fundraising, including developing and implementing revenue strategies and managing grants.
• Strong relationship-building skills, with experience engaging with business leaders, business resource groups, and economic development partners.
• Familiarity with early childhood education, non-profit organizations, and regional economic development is a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and collaborate with diverse stakeholders, including the Board of Directors, Executive Director, and external partners.
• Shares core value that the highest need communities should receive the most benefit.
• Innovative approach and ethos to both short-term strategy and long-term quality improvement initiatives.
• Strategically and organizationally agile systems thinker; able to quickly and creatively adapt to evolving realities.
• Respected reputation for effectiveness and sound judgment in their professional community and broader network.
• Politically-savvy; attuned to the complexities of local landscape intricacies and able to navigate with sensitivity.
• Seasoned networker: fosters new relationships to promote the organization while nurturing pre-existing relationships with community members of influence.
• Excellent communication, strategic thinking, and leadership skills.

Compensation and Benefits

Salary range: $95,000 – $110,000, commensurate with experience.

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits.

Gateway Early Childhood Alliance is fiscally sponsored by The St. Louis Community Foundation, providing additional stability and resources to our team.

Why Join Gateway Early Childhood Alliance? 

This is a unique opportunity to join a dynamic and impactful organization dedicated to improving early childhood education in the St. Louis region. As the Vice President of External Relations, you will have the chance to shape the future of our work, build lasting relationships with key stakeholders, and make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families.

Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, and references to Executive Director Tamyka Perine at tperine@gatewayecalliance.org. Applications will be accepted until September 13, 2024.