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

Job Responsibilities

The Chief of Early Learning is responsible for:

• Improving measurable school readiness assessment scores and continuous quality improvement across all publicly funded four-year-old classrooms in SC.
• Ensuring high levels of collaboration between SC First Steps (SCFS) and the SC Department of Education (SCDE).
• Leading strategy, performance, and accountability of First Steps 4K to improve school readiness outcomes.
• Driving data-informed decision-making and ensuring the effective design, implementation, and continuous improvement of high-quality 4K programs.
• Managing resource allocation, provider performance, and operations to expand access and improve program quality.
• Advancing workforce development and building sustainable early learning systems through strategic partnerships.
• Leading evaluations to translate data into actionable policy and advocacy insights.
• Having knowledge of early childhood legislation in South Carolina and nationally.
• Having technical knowledge of early childhood education frameworks and assessment tools, including CLASS and the Kindergarten Readiness Assessment (KRA).
• Being proficient in budget development and advanced data tools (such as Excel and Power BI) for performance monitoring.
• Analyzing and interpreting longitudinal student data to assess outcomes and calculate the return on investment.
• Developing public-facing data tools and managing data-sharing processes across agencies or systems.
• Translating complex data and research into clear, compelling narratives to inform decision-making, influence policy, and secure stakeholder support.
• Having advanced written and oral communication skills tailored for diverse stakeholder groups.
• Reporting to the Agency Director, supervising 4K programmatic and administrative staff, and being comfortable multi-tasking and working in a flexible, fast-moving environment.
• Preparing performance planning and evaluation documents and related personnel paperwork.
• Counseling and training employees.
• Establishing and monitoring work processes.
• Implementing management policies and initiatives and promoting teamwork.
• Leading the design, implementation, and continuous quality improvement of operational systems that expands access to high-quality 4K, including First Steps 4K team organization, business development, and use of 4K data systems.
• Developing and implementing data-informed strategies, including intervention pilots and targeted supports, to improve provider performance and maximize child outcomes.
• Overseeing strategic site selection and 4K provider renewals using performance data to inform contract decisions and ensure adherence to safety, educational, and reporting requirements.
• Leading 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.
• Developing and implementing a comprehensive workforce strategy to strengthen educator effectiveness and sustainability across South Carolina's mixed delivery 4K system.
• Managing per-pupil reimbursement models for public and private providers to maximize state fund drawdown while ensuring fiscal accountability and audit compliance.
• Supporting the Director of 4K Professional Development in implementing a statewide evidence-based training network for teachers and 4K professionals.
• Using workforce data to identify turnover trends and gaps, deploying targeted pilots and retention strategies to stabilize the teacher pipeline.
• Overseeing specialized training for teachers and school leaders focused on instructional leadership and operational excellence.
• Collaborating with partners to align workforce investments and professional learning.
• Leading the design and execution of a statewide continuous quality improvement (COI) framework for 4K programs and managing instructional coaching implementation, ensuring alignment with SCFS and SCDE school readiness goals.
• Implementing the Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS®) to measure teacher-child interactions and drive all classrooms toward "Exemplary" ratings.
• Establishing a unified coaching model for public and private providers, leveraging shared data to inform professional development and strengthen instructional practices.
• Using longitudinal data and program audits to evaluate and refine curriculum and evidence-based interventions to improve child outcomes.
• Translating CQI findings into actionable recommendations for policy and resource allocation.
• Facilitating 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.
• Serving as a key liaison to external stakeholders and state legislators to advocate for early learning priorities.
• Collaborating 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.

Requirements

Minimum Requirements:

• A Master’s degree in early childhood education, public health, public administration, business education, or a related field.

Additional Requirements:

• 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• A graduate or doctoral degree (Ph.D. or Ed.D.) in research or analytics.
• At least 5 years of leadership experience within education, achieving measurable system-level change through data-driven decision-making within an education-related organization.