Deputy Director of Early Learning

The Hunt Institute’s mission is to provide unbiased research, technical expertise, and learning opportunities that equip and empower educators and policymakers to drive equitable reforms and become audacious champions for education.

Since its establishment in 2001, The Institute has emerged as a recognized and credible leader in the movement to transform American public education and a go-to source for reliable, objective, and timely information. The Institute works at the intersection of education policy and politics, supporting state and national officials and empowering them to drive education reform. Its mandate is to inspire and equip elected officials and senior policymakers to make informed decisions that improve the lives of all children. The Institute’s primary audience consists of governors, legislators, and other elected and state- level policymakers.

To apply: Please submit cover letter, along with a résumé or CV, and a writing sample (no more than five pages; sections from a longer paper can be submitted) No phone calls, please.

Position

The Deputy Director of Early Learning plays a pivotal role as The Hunt Institutes leadership in the early childhood policy space continues to rapidly expand. In this role the Deputy Director of Early Learning will support The Institute’s state engagement and national program efforts related to early childhood. Having oversight on multiple convenings, managing project timelines, and supporting the work of policy analysts. The Deputy Director will report to the Director of Early Learning. The Deputy Director will be based out of The Hunt Institute’s office in Cary, North Carolina.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a key subject matter expert on early childhood policy matters.
• Maintain project schedules and timelines, delegating tasks, identifying dependencies, and driving awareness and crisp execution against major due dates.
• Supervise and mentor direct-report staff, including communicating clear expectations, setting performance objectives, establishing a supportive environment while emphasizing accountability, providing regular and timely constructive performance feedback, and leading documented semi-annual performance reviews.
• With support from the Director and members of the leadership team, support a strategy for all of The Hunt Institutes early learning initiatives.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with executive-level higher education leaders nationally.
• Support the development of responses to requests for information and comments received from policymakers and partners.
• Accept and complete any other task or duty as assigned.
  
  
  

Qualifications

• Commitment to The Hunt Institute’s mission and vision, alongside a passion for challenging entrenched systems of educational inequity and bettering public education for all children.
• Exceptional project management skills with a proven track record of moving complex projects from big ideas through to implementation.
• Experience successfully executing large events.
• Experience working for political campaigns, PACs, advocacy campaigns, or political committees a plus.
• Ability to engage diverse audiences, including senior-level elected officials, both as a discussion moderator and in one-on-one conversation.
• Ability and willingness to both identify obstacles and build systems and structures to overcome them.
• A strong work ethic, with a results-oriented philosophy and personal qualities of trustworthiness, openness, accessibility, kindness, flexibility, and a sense of humor.
• Ability to handle multiple assignments and meet deadlines.
• Ability to pay attention to accuracy and detail while thinking broadly.
• Bachelor’s degree is required; an advanced degree is preferred.
• Minimum of five years demonstrated program management experience and leadership.
• Demonstrated contributions to the field and a national perspective in, early childhood education and development, mental health, public health, and family engagement.
• Knowledge of states’ early childhood programs and policy innovations a plus.
• Ability to travel (anticipated 25%).
  
  
  

Ideal candidates will also demonstrate:

• Knowledge of state and national P-16 education policy.
• Resourcefulness and good judgment.
• Leadership by example.
• The value of diversity of thought, backgrounds, and perspectives.
• Integrity/ethics beyond reproach.
• Constant seeking to apply best practices.
• Willingness to work collaboratively and consider new ideas.
• Commitment to The Institute’s mission, vision, financial stability, and success.
  
  
  

Work Schedule

This position is based out of 4000/5000 Centregreen Way, Suites 301/150, Cary, NC, 27513 in office Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Hybrid on Thursdays. Occasional Tuesdays, evenings, and weekends may be required. Office hours: 8:30am-5:00pm

Benefits And Compensation

The Hunt Institute offers competitive compensation and an attractive benefits package, including health, dental and vision and a 401(k) plan with an employer matching contribution policy. We feel passionately about equal pay for equal work, and transparency in compensation is one vehicle to achieve that. The salary recruitment range for this position is: $85,000 - $93,465.

Equal Employment Opportunity

At the Hunt Institute, Equal Employment Opportunity is our commitment and goal. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, marital status or any other protected status designated by federal, state or local law. Applicants are encouraged to confidentially self-identify when applying. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a reference and background investigation.