Director

Afton Partners

5d•$130,000 - $140,000•Remote

About The Position

Afton Partners seeks a Director in our Early Childhood practice with a specialty in Funding Policy & Cost Analysis to lead and support consulting engagements with federal, state, and local agencies, as well as other impact-focused organizations. In this role, you will help shape how early childhood systems are funded, bring clarity to complex cost structures, advance equitable funding strategies, and enabling leaders to make informed, high-impact decisions. You’ll work at the intersection of finance, policy, and strategy—translating complex data into actionable insights, advising senior leaders, and helping design innovative, sustainable policies and approaches to funding early childhood programs. This is an opportunity to influence systems that directly impact young children, families, and the workforce that supports them. Check out our Case Studies for examples of the high-impact engagements you would support in this role, including Smart Start Workforce Grants, Early Childhood Block Grants, and Early Intervention Cost Modeling. This is a full-time, remote position within the United States, requiring up to 10% travel. Afton offers competitive pay and benefits, including health insurance, paid time off, and 401(k) with company match. The salary range for the position is $130,000-$140,000 per year plus benefits.

Requirements

Minimum of eight (8) years of relevant experience in early childhood cost modeling, funding policy research and analysis, financial modeling, or related work in government, consulting, or mission-driven organizations
Deep understanding of early childhood programs (e.g., child care, Head Start/Early Head Start, state pre-K, early intervention, home visiting) and their funding streams, governance structures, and policy context
Strong analytical skills (using Excel, R, etc.) and the ability to synthesize complex quantitative and qualitative data
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, particularly in virtual environments
Strong project management and peer coaching experience
Demonstrated experience identifying potential challenges and taking initiative, creating structures to address ambiguous or complex problems
Demonstrated experience coaching and developing colleagues.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in or with state or local early childhood systems, particularly related to funding
Experience within early childhood government agencies or consulting environments
Academic study or research in early childhood policy, governance, or funding (e.g., Master’s degree or similar)