Chief of Early Learning - (Program Manager III) - 61110039

State of South Carolina • Richland County, SC

35d

About The Position

South Carolina First Steps is seeking an experienced professional to serve as the Chief of Early Learning. This strategic leadership role is responsible for driving improvements in measurable school readiness assessment scores and continuous quality improvement across all publicly funded four-year-old classrooms in South Carolina, utilizing a mixed-delivery system. The position ensures high levels of collaboration between SC First Steps (SCFS) and the SC Department of Education (SCDE). The Chief leads the strategy, performance, and accountability of First Steps 4K to improve school readiness outcomes as demonstrated on the state's kindergarten readiness assessment. This role drives data-informed decision-making and ensures the effective design, implementation, and continuous improvement of high-quality 4K programs by establishing rigorous performance standards, operationalizing best practices, conducting comprehensive program audits, and aligning investments with evidence-based practices to maximize child outcomes. The Chief manages resource allocation, provider performance, and operations to expand access and improve program quality. Through strategic partnerships, this role advances workforce development and builds sustainable early learning systems. The position leads evaluations to translate data into actionable policy and advocacy insights. The role requires knowledge of early childhood legislation in South Carolina and nationally, technical knowledge of early childhood education frameworks and assessment tools (CLASS and KRA), proficiency in budget development and advanced data tools (Excel, Power BI), and the ability to analyze and interpret longitudinal student data. The Chief must be able to develop public-facing data tools, manage data-sharing processes, and translate complex data into clear narratives. This role requires strong collaboration skills to navigate distinct organizational cultures and advanced communication skills. The position reports to the Agency Director and supervises 4K programmatic and administrative staff, requiring comfort in a flexible, fast-moving environment with the ability to adapt to changing situations and anticipate future consequences. The Chief will supervise staff, including preparing performance documents, coaching, counseling, and training employees, establishing and monitoring work processes, and implementing management policies. The role leads the design, implementation, and continuous quality improvement of operational systems for 4K, ensuring alignment with SCFS and SCDE strategic goals. This includes developing and implementing data-informed strategies, overseeing site selection and provider renewals, leading the development and oversight of the annual 4K budget, and executing a comprehensive workforce strategy. The Chief manages per-pupil reimbursement models, supports professional development initiatives, uses workforce data to identify trends, and oversees specialized training. The role also leads the design and execution of a statewide continuous quality improvement (CQI) framework for 4K programs, implements the Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS®), establishes a unified coaching model, and uses data to evaluate and refine curriculum and interventions. Other duties include facilitating briefings with leadership, serving as a liaison to external stakeholders and legislators, and collaborating with internal teams. Applicants must provide a cover letter and resume. College transcripts may be required.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in early childhood education, public health, public administration, business education, or a related field.
• Knowledge of early childhood legislation in South Carolina and nationally.
• Technical knowledge of early childhood education frameworks and assessment tools, including CLASS and the Kindergarten Readiness Assessment (KRA).
• Proficient in budget development and advanced data tools (including but not limited to Excel and Power Bl) for performance monitoring.
• Ability to analyze and interpret longitudinal student data to assess outcomes and calculate the return on investment.
• Ability to develop public-facing data tools and managing data-sharing processes across agencies or systems.
• Proven ability to translate complex data and research into clear, compelling narratives to inform decision-making, influence policy, and secure stakeholder support.
• Highly collaborative with the ability to navigate the distinct cultures of public-school administrations and private/faith-based childcare businesses.
• Advanced written and oral communication skills tailored for diverse stakeholder groups.
• Must be comfortable multi-tasking and working in a flexible, fast-moving environment and have the ability to act and react in changing situations, anticipate future consequences and trends.
• Supervises staff to include preparing performance planning and evaluation documents and related personnel paperwork.
• Coaches, counsels and trains employees.
• Establishes and monitors work processes.
• Implement management policies and initiatives and promote teamwork.
• Ensuring all initiatives are measurable and aligned with the strategic goals of SCFS and SCDE.
• Develop and implement data-informed strategies, including intervention pilots and targeted supports, to improve provider performance and maximize child outcomes.
• Oversees strategic site selection and 4K provider renewals using performance data to inform contract decisions and ensure adherence to safety, educational. and reporting requirements.
• Leads the development and oversight of the annual First Steps 4K budget. including cost forecasting and strategic investment in evidence-based interventions with the highest return on school readiness outcomes.
• Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive workforce strategy to strengthen educator effectiveness and sustainability across South Carolina's mixed delivery 4K system.
• Manages per-pupil reimbursement models for public and private providers to maximize state fund drawdown while ensuring fiscal accountability and audit compliance.
• Supports the Director of 4K Professional Development in implementing a statewide evidence-based training network for teachers and 4K professionals.
• Uses workforce data to identify turnover trends and gaps, deploying targeted pilots and retention strategies to stabilize the teacher pipeline.
• Oversees specialized training for teachers and school leaders focused on instructional leadership and operational excellence.
• Collaborates with partners to align workforce investments and professional learning.
• Leads the design and execution or a statewide continuous quality improvement (COI) framework for 4K programs and manages instructional coaching implementation, ensuring alignment with SCFS and SCDE school readiness goals.
• Implements the Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS®) to measure teacher-child interactions and drive all classrooms toward "Exemplary" ratings.
• Established a unified coaching model for public and private providers, leveraging shared data to inform professional development and strengthen instructional practices.
• Uses longitudinal data and program audits to evaluate and refine curriculum and evidence-based interventions to improve child outcomes.
• Translates CQI findings into actionable recommendations for policy and resource allocation.
• Facilitates regular briefings and strategic planning sessions with leadership from SC First Steps, the South Carolina Department of Education, the Education Oversight Committee, and the members of the General Assembly to align policy and funding.
• Serves as a key liaison to external stakeholders and state legislators to advocate for early learning priorities.
• Collaborates closely with internal cross-functional teams to break down silos, leverage shared data, and integrate statewide initiatives to maximize the collective impact on school readiness.
• Supervises staff to include preparing performance planning and evaluation documents and related personnel paperwork.
• Coaches, counsels and trains employees.
• Establishes and monitors work processes.
• Implement management policies and initiatives and promote teamwork.
• Applicants indicating college credit or degree(s) on the application will be required to bring a copy of college transcript to the interview.
• A copy of the transcript may also be uploaded as an attachment to the application, if required by the hiring department or if desired by the applicant.
• Please note that some areas of the Agency may require an official, certified copy of the transcript prior to hiring or within a specific timeframe required by that area, after hiring.
• Failure to produce an official, certified transcript may result in not being hired or termination.

Nice To Haves

• Graduate or Doctoral degree (Ph.D. or Ed.D.) in research or analytics.
• Minimum of 5 years of leadership experience within education; and has achieved measurable system level change as a result of data driven decision making within an education related organization.
• Experience successfully managing and braiding public and private funding.
• Proficiency in analytic and data management software.
• Experience in conducting randomized control trials and other quasi-experimental evaluation studies.
• Familiarity with early childhood funding streams, best practices in policy and approach and CLASS.

Responsibilities

• Ensure high levels of collaboration between SC First Steps (SCFS) and the SC Department of Education (SCDE).
• Lead the strategy, performance, and accountability of First Steps 4K to improve school readiness outcomes.
• Drive data-informed decision-making and ensure effective design, implementation, and continuous improvement of high-quality 4K programs.
• Establish rigorous performance standards, operationalize best practices, conduct comprehensive program audits, and align investments with evidence-based practices.
• Manage resource allocation, provider performance, and operations to expand access and improve program quality.
• Advance workforce development and build sustainable early learning systems through strategic partnerships.
• Lead evaluations to translate data into actionable policy and advocacy insights.
• Supervise 4K programmatic and administrative staff, including preparing performance planning and evaluation documents, coaching, counseling, and training employees.
• Establish and monitor work processes, implement management policies, and promote teamwork.
• Lead the design, implementation, and continuous quality improvement of operational systems that expand access to high-quality 4K.
• Develop and implement data-informed strategies, including intervention pilots and targeted supports, to improve provider performance and maximize child outcomes.
• Oversee strategic site selection and 4K provider renewals using performance data.
• Lead the development and oversight of the annual First Steps 4K budget, including cost forecasting and strategic investment.
• Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive workforce strategy to strengthen educator effectiveness and sustainability.
• Manage per-pupil reimbursement models for public and private providers.
• Support the Director of 4K Professional Development in implementing a statewide evidence-based training network.
• Use workforce data to identify turnover trends and gaps, deploying targeted pilots and retention strategies.
• Oversee specialized training for teachers and school leaders focused on instructional leadership and operational excellence.
• Collaborate with partners to align workforce investments and professional learning.
• Lead the design and execution of a statewide continuous quality improvement (CQI) framework for 4K programs.
• Manage instructional coaching implementation, ensuring alignment with SCFS and SCDE school readiness goals.
• Implement the Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS®) to measure teacher-child interactions.
• Establish a unified coaching model for public and private providers.
• Use longitudinal data and program audits to evaluate and refine curriculum and evidence-based interventions.
• Translate CQI findings into actionable recommendations for policy and resource allocation.
• Facilitate regular briefings and strategic planning sessions with leadership from SC First Steps, SC Department of Education, Education Oversight Committee, and General Assembly.
• Serve as a key liaison to external stakeholders and state legislators to advocate for early learning priorities.
• Collaborate closely with internal cross-functional teams to break down silos, leverage shared data, and integrate statewide initiatives.

Benefits

• Health, dental, vision, long-term disability, and life insurance for employees, spouses, and children.
• 15 days annual (vacation) leave per year
• 15 days sick leave per year
• 13 paid holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• S.C. Deferred Compensation Program available
• State Retirement Plan (SCRS)
• State Optional Retirement Program (State ORP)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager