Program Director, Business Development - Center for Early Childhood (Hybrid)

WestEd is a community of over 1,400 researchers, practitioners, consultants, and administrative professionals committed to making a qualitative difference in the lives of youth, children, and adults. We conduct and apply research, develop evidence-based solutions, and provide consulting services across the country in both rural and urban communities to improve equitable outcomes for individuals from infancy through adulthood. Serving as trusted partners in education, health, and justice, our teams enhance capacity within communities and school districts to prioritize impact through customized methodologies, relevant tools, and best practices specific to diverse stakeholder needs.

About the role

The Center for Early Childhood at WestEd is expanding its impact and portfolio through strategic business development. The Program Director, Business Development will plan, develop, and implement strategies for managing a portfolio of work focused on early childhood development and learning in the areas of professional learning, technical assistance, research and evaluation, and policy analysis. Reporting to the Center Vice President, the candidate will join a Business Development leadership team focused on increasing WestEd’s visibility and impact nationally.

The Center houses over 350 full and part-time staff contributing to WestEd’s mission through work that builds the capacity of early childhood educators, caregivers, parents, and systems via cross-sector, integrated service delivery, policy guidance, and system-building efforts.

The Program Director is responsible for developing and supporting the growth of a large portfolio of professional services, including research and development, evaluation, and statewide technical assistance. This includes developing sole-source work and leading competitive proposals as the primary writer. The role requires representing WestEd before federal, state, and local government agencies and other early childhood groups, identifying partnership opportunities, and providing project leadership. Success depends on proactively creating opportunities and collaborating across the organization to translate them into funded work. The Program Director may also mentor proposal teams, support strategic capture efforts, and foster collaborative resource development practices.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement business development strategies for early childhood development and learning, focusing on professional learning, technical assistance, research and evaluation, and policy analysis.
• Lead the writing of sole-source and competitive proposals to secure multi-million-dollar awards and contracts.
• Represent WestEd before federal, state, and local government agencies and early childhood organizations, leveraging subject matter expertise and reputation.
• Identify and cultivate internal and external partnership opportunities aligned with the portfolio’s areas of work.
• Provide project leadership and collaborate with WestEd leaders to translate opportunities into funded work.
• Conduct national market analysis to identify trends, growth drivers, and challenges in early learning and care.
• Strengthen the Center’s business development capacity by mentoring proposal teams and supporting strategic capture efforts.
• Foster collaborative resource development practices across the organization.

Requirements

• Deep knowledge of and demonstrated leadership in early childhood development and learning at the statewide, regional, or national level.
• Credibility to advise high-stakes clients and speak to national audiences on relevant topics.
• Experience in leading or collaborating with state, regional, or local early childhood agencies to implement and sustain system improvements.
• Ability to conduct national market analysis and identify trends, growth drivers, and industry challenges in early learning and care.
• Demonstrated commitment to addressing equity of opportunity and outcomes for young children and their families.
• Experience designing and implementing innovative early childhood systems and services that meet the needs of children and families.
• Experience working in early childhood educational settings or organizations addressing the needs of children and families in diverse contexts.
• Experience engaging stakeholders in policy development and decision-making processes.
• Proven ability to lead resource development efforts, supervise proposal writing, and secure multi-million-dollar awards from government agencies, foundations, or other funding sources.
• Demonstrated ability to cultivate executive-level relationships with state agencies, philanthropic organizations, national partners, and internal leaders to create strategic collaborations and new business opportunities.
• Excellent organizational, administrative, managerial, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage contracts and budgets and collaborate effectively with diverse colleagues.
• Superior communication skills, including writing, presentation, and the ability to engage, inspire, and motivate diverse teams and audiences.
• Demonstrated capacity in talent development and management, with a focus on growing and sustaining a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workforce.
• Willingness to travel.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Education, Early Childhood Education, Child/Human Development, Organizational Development/Management, or related fields.
• Strong and proven track record of managing high-quality processes within governmental, nonprofit, or corporate settings.
• Demonstrated business development experience, including experience providing early childhood technical assistance to states.
• Knowledge of current and emerging trends in early childhood systems-based delivery of educational services and leadership experience in policy development or management of early childhood initiatives.

Schedule

The position is currently remote with optimal presence in a WestEd office/facility 2 times per week. Offices are located in California (San Francisco, Alameda, Seal Beach, Camarillo, Sacramento, San Diego, Sunnyvale), Washington D.C., Seattle, WA, Phoenix, AZ, and Boston, MA.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States. WestEd conducts a criminal background check and education verification for all new hires.

Pay

The full salary range for this position is $162,800 to $254,400. The typical hiring range is $162,800 to $203,500. Actual offers consider education, experience, internal equity, and organizational needs.

Benefits

• 15% contribution toward retirement effective on day 1 of employment, with immediate 100% vesting.
• Pre-tax Flexible Spending Accounts and Health Savings Account options.
• Health and welfare benefits effective the first of the month following hire date.
• 19 days of PTO (increases to 21 days beginning the third year of employment) and 12 paid holidays.
• Life insurance valued at 3x gross salary, up to a maximum of $500,000.
• Annual merit-based performance increases and incentives.
• Professional development opportunities and mentorship program.

For more details about benefits, visit WestEd Benefits.