Assistant Chief of Programs

Brightmode•Alameda, CA

9h•Hybrid

About The Position

First 5 Alameda County advances the healthy development of children from prenatal through age five. With the passage of Measure C, a landmark voter-approved initiative to fund childcare and preschool across the county, First 5 is in a transformational moment. As the administrator of these funds, the agency is executing one of the most ambitious early care and education investments in the country, positioning Alameda County as a national leader in early childhood equity. First 5 Alameda County is seeking an Assistant Chief of Programs - a senior executive who will serve as a strategic and operational anchor for the agency's programs division. Reporting directly to the Chief of Programs, this leader will drive alignment across programmatic areas, provide day-to-day leadership of the Early Care and Education (ECE) portfolio, and serve as a key thought partner to executive leadership. This is a high-stakes, high-impact role. The incoming leader will step into a large, expert program team navigating a systems-change moment, building the coordinated, equity-driven ECE infrastructure that Alameda County's children and families deserve. They will provide stability and direction, earn the trust of a seasoned staff, and drive execution on significant Measure C implementation milestones, expanding subsidized childcare slots, raising ECE educator wages, and strengthening the early childhood ecosystem at scale.

Requirements

Minimum 10 years of progressively responsible experience in program development, policy and systems building, or grantmaking, with at least 4 years of direct supervision.
Deep substantive experience in ECE, public health, public policy, or community development systems, particularly at the county or regional level.
Demonstrated track record managing large, multi-layered teams through change and performance challenges.
Strong analytical and data skills; able to read program performance data, surface insights, and produce executive-ready recommendations.
Policy memo-quality writing: clear, concise, audience-calibrated, and analytically grounded.
Experience as a deputy, chief of staff, or number-two to a senior program executive.
Comfort operating in hierarchical, fast-paced environments where priorities shift and decisions must be made quickly.
Bachelor's degree in public policy, public health, public or business administration, ECE, or a related field (may substitute for 4 years of required experience); Master's degree preferred (may substitute for 1 additional year).

Nice To Haves

Master's degree preferred (may substitute for 1 additional year).

Responsibilities

Provide strategic oversight of the ECE portfolio, from system design through implementation, ensuring initiatives are aligned, high-impact, and accountable to measurable outcomes.
Drive Measure C implementation, including expanding access to quality childcare, increasing educator compensation, and disbursing facilities improvement grants with geographic and demographic equity.
Navigate a complex multi-stakeholder environment - county agencies, community partners, grantees, policymakers - with diplomatic credibility and institutional savvy.
Serve as a trusted thought partner to the Chief of Programs - absorbing priorities, extending their reach, and driving alignment across a division larger and more complex than most comparable agencies.
Represent the Chief of Programs in internal and external meetings; facilitate cross-program leadership sessions to promote shared learning and coordinated action.
Manage up effectively: surface issues early, propose solutions, and keep decision-makers informed without creating noise.
Provide direct supervision and support to Director-level staff and the Assistant Director layer; bring clarity, structure, and direction to a high-capacity team in a period of growth and change.
Build cultures of accountability and collaboration simultaneously.
Foster management practices that promote clear communication, performance accountability, and team cohesion.
Use data and performance analysis to drive executive decision-making, continuous improvement, and program accountability.
Produce high-quality written work products - policy memos, briefings, and analytical reports - calibrated for commissioners, policymakers, and community partners.
Lead and manage complex, cross-functional projects with precision, tracking multiple priorities and delivering under deadline.