Director of National Programs (Internal Only)

SEIU- ESF • Northampton, MA

3d • Remote

About The Position

The SEIU Education & Support Fund (ESF) tackles issues faced by service sector workers, such as low wages, lack of healthcare, job insecurity, and limited training and career advancement opportunities. ESF designs and facilitates worker-centered, relationship-based, and accessible education, training, and workforce development programs. They partner with unions, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and employers to help workers access good jobs and drive social change. ESF is seeking a Director of National Programs with strong relational, systems-building, and strategic thinking skills to oversee the National Programs department. This role involves overseeing the National Early Educator Training Center (NEETC), amplifying programmatic work in external spaces, and supporting internal alignment and efficiency of programmatic work across states and sectors. The position reports to the Chief Program Officer and supervises up to three staff members.

Requirements

• Seven to ten years of program leadership with increasing responsibility in workforce development, education, or other related sectors.
• Experience and knowledge of labor management training partnerships preferred.
• Proven ability to manage complex projects (including grant funded programs) with multiple stakeholders.
• Ability to innovate new methods/practices, brainstorm solutions to improve outcomes, and appropriately scale projects up or down.
• Experience working with diverse populations including black, brown, and indigenous communities.
• Experience working with stakeholders including unions, employers, workforce development agencies, higher education institutions, etc.
• Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States.
• Candidates must be currently employed by SEIU ESF.

Nice To Haves

• Strong relational, systems building, and strategic thinking skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the design and implementation of cross-programmatic spaces, structures, and tools that promote learning, alignment, collaboration, and data-driven reflection and decision-making.
• Manage all programs meetings and initiatives, including Child Care leadership meetings and initiatives, national conference & convening policies and procedures, and ESF’s child care Curriculum Clearinghouse.
• Oversee program-specific Communities of Practice and programmatic training & PD opportunities.
• Manage programmatic data analysis and continuous improvement processes.
• Design programmatic annual work plan templates and provide technical assistance.
• Undertake special projects in collaboration with Programmatic Leadership and/or the Chief Program Officer to increase programmatic alignment, efficiency, and/or capacity building.
• Identify and cultivate relationships with strategic external partners for the NEETC, who are values-aligned and have a national presence in the ECE ecosystem.
• Oversee the strategic sharing of ESF’s work nationally, creating and implementing an equitable process for internal ESF staff and Family Child Care Educator Leaders to be present in national spaces.
• Provide oversight of ESF’s child care communities of practice, supporting the Sr. Manager of National Programs in planning, facilitating, and leveraging these spaces.
• Develop strategic narrative change campaigns and other communications deliverables in partnership with ESF’s Communications staff and the Sr. Manager of National Programs.
• Foster an environment of collaboration with and amongst Programmatic leadership, ESF Infrastructure Leadership, and external partners.
• Build and execute partnerships with ESF’s technology and data department, representing programmatic perspectives and needs on The Network team.
• Support the creation and implementation of a system for seamless and accurate collection and reporting of programmatic data.
• Ensure effective internal, cross-departmental communication by adhering to ESF’s program and operational reporting/monitoring policies.
• Manage, clear roadblocks, and provide guidance to direct reports, ensuring alignment with the overall mission and goals.
• Work with ESF’s finance department to establish, forecast, monitor, and report on all National Programs/NEETC grant and contract budgets.
• Identify new national program (public and private) funding opportunities in partnership with ESF’s Advancement department and support the submission of national programmatic proposals.
• Hold primary responsibility for employment decisions affecting direct reports, including hiring, discipline, and termination.
• Supervise the day-to-day management of assigned staff.
• Conduct performance evaluations and provide ongoing coaching, feedback, and development support.
• Address employee relations matters, including responding to concerns, resolving conflicts, and escalating issues.
• Maintain accountability for team performance, productivity, and adherence to expectations.
• Ensure team compliance with organizational policies, procedures, and applicable employment laws.

Benefits

• 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision plans for you and your eligible dependents.
• Defined benefit pension plan for retirement.
• Initial and annual home stipend.
• Biweekly cell phone stipend or a company-sponsored cell phone.
• Up to four (4) weeks of vacation in the first two years, and five (5) weeks after completing two years of service.
• Paid holidays.
• 13 days of sick leave.
• Six (6) personal days.
• Two (2) floating holidays.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: No Education Listed