Early Childhood Education Workforce Development Program Manager

City and County of Denver • Denver, CO

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

Denver Economic Development and Opportunity (DEDO) serves to support Denver’s businesses, employers, and workforce, creating shared prosperity and sustained economic growth. DEDO has sharpened its focus and enhanced alignment across divisions, ensuring its work is centered on the premise that quality jobs are the most powerful tool to create better outcomes for Denverites. DEDO accomplishes this by making Denver a place that is easy to do business with, fostering job creation, and building an economy that works for everyone. DEDO helps residents gain the skills, training, and credentials needed to secure quality jobs while also supporting, growing, and recruiting local employers. DEDO’s work aligns with city priorities including the Vibrant Denver and Family-Friendly initiatives. Denver Workforce Development (DWD) provides full-service employment and training that meets the workforce and employment needs of businesses, job seekers and youth throughout the metro area. DWD staff connect employers with a trained and ready workforce, while assisting job seekers with gaining needed skills and securing sustainable employment. DWD is hiring for a full-time limited Early Childhood Education Workforce Development Program Manager. This is a new grant-funded position. The long-term vision for Denver Workforce Development is to transition from a reactive service model to a proactive, integrated talent ecosystem where the early childhood education (ECE) sector is recognized as a cornerstone of regional economic infrastructure. This is a limited position with an expected end date of June 30th, 2028.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Public Administration, Management, Sociology, Psychology, Political Science, or a related field
• Three (3) years of full performance professional level experience developing, implementing, and administering programs
• One (1) year of the appropriate type and level of experience may be substituted for each required year of post high school education for all classifications.
• Additional appropriate education may be substituted for the minimum experience requirements
• Resume
• Cover letter – telling us about your experience with youth engagement and leading programs
• Valid work authorization that does not require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the U.S.

Nice To Haves

• Systems Alignment & Strategic Orchestration: The ability to link local ECE strategies with state and federal priorities while navigating the differing organizational cultures of school districts and higher education
• Stakeholder Engagement & Facilitation: Expertise in convening and leading diverse partnerships to co-design workforce solutions and identify regional service gaps
• Fiscal & Grant Management: Proven experience overseeing complex budgets, managing external contracts, and ensuring compliance with varied funding streams
• Data-Driven Evaluation: The technical skill to establish performance metrics and use data-driven methods to measure program outcomes and communicate regional impact
• Workforce Development Expertise: A deep understanding of career pathways, including stackable credentials, apprenticeships, and the specific regulatory landscape of the ECE sector.
• Workforce database (Connecting Colorado) experience
• Communicate with diverse populations – internal and external stakeholders, written and verbal.
• Be adaptable to changing priorities and projects
• Bilingual language skills, proficiency with MS Office Suite.
• Ability to work on multiple deadlines and meet deliverables

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and implementation of regional ECE workforce programs that focus specifically on recruitment, credentialing, and long-term career advancement
• Actively align local workforce initiatives with established state and federal priorities, such as Colorado’s Early Childhood Workforce Plan and WIOA strategies
• Manage program budgets and oversee external contracts to ensure fiscal compliance and that all funds are driving the intended impact
• Establish and monitor performance metrics, utilizing data-driven methods to evaluate program outcomes and recommend continuous improvements
• Build and sustain high-level partnerships with school districts, early learning centers, and higher education institutions to create a cohesive workforce network
• Regularly convene community stakeholders to identify regional workforce gaps, facilitate best practice sharing, and co-design tactical solutions
• Manage the day-to-day coordination of recruitment and career navigation for individuals looking to enter or advance within the ECE field
• Facilitate and promote access to scholarships, apprenticeships, and "stackable" credentials to lower barriers for educators
• Serve as a representative for the program in local and statewide forums, conferences, and coalitions to advocate for ECE workforce investments
• Proactively promote equity and inclusion by ensuring that all workforce programs are accessible to diverse and underserved populations

Benefits

• A guaranteed life-long monthly pension, once vested after 5 years of service
• 457B Retirement Plan
• 140 hours of PTO earned within first year
• 12 paid holidays, 1 personal holiday, 1 Wellness Day and 1 volunteer day per year
• Competitive medical, dental and vision plans effective within 1 month of start date
• Flexible spending account option specifically for parking
• City-sponsored RTD EcoPass to all City employees

What This Job Offers

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