Policy Advisor

As the Policy Advisor, you will serve as the subject matter expert on early childhood education policy, childcare licensing, accreditation, and regulatory compliance. You will monitor legislative and licensing developments across franchise markets, translate complex requirements into practical guidance, and partner with internal teams and franchise owners to support school operations, site development, health and safety standards, and accreditation efforts. Working across the organization, you will help ensure Primrose remains informed, compliant, and positioned to advocate for high-quality early education.

• Monitor childcare licensing regulations, legislative trends, and policy developments across the franchise operating states and priority markets; translate findings into actionable guidance and recommendations.

• Serve as the organization's subject matter expert and escalation point for complex licensing, regulatory, and compliance-related questions.

• Advise the site planning process on licensing requirements that influence facility design, physical environment standards, and regulatory feasibility.

• Maintain and enhance health and safety standards, ensuring alignment with regulatory requirements, industry guidance, and operational best practices.

• Guide franchise owners and field teams through licensing processes, including pre-opening strategy, inspections, agency interactions, and citation response.

• Build and maintain relationships with licensing agencies and regulatory stakeholders across the franchise operating footprint.

• Oversee franchise accreditation support program, including guidance materials, readiness resources, renewal tracking, and support for schools pursuing or maintaining accreditation through organizations such as Cognia, NAEYC, MSA, and NAC.

• Serve as the liaison between the franchise and accrediting organizations, maintaining expertise in accreditation standards, requirements, and emerging trends.

• Represent the franchise in industry associations, policy forums, and advocacy initiatives; prepare updates and recommendations for franchise owners and internal leadership.

• Lead webinars, training sessions, and educational resources related to licensing, accreditation, policy developments, and regulatory compliance.

• Collaborate with Operations, Education, Development, Legal, and other internal teams to incorporate policy and regulatory expertise into company standards, resources, and strategic initiatives.

 

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• Bachelor's degree required; degree in Early Childhood Education, Public Policy, Education Administration, or a related field preferred. 

• 5+ years of experience in childcare licensing, early childhood education policy, regulatory compliance, or a related field. 

• Experience working with state licensing agencies, accrediting organizations, or regulatory bodies strongly preferred. 

• Working knowledge of accreditation standards and processes, including Cognia, NAEYC, MSA, NAC, or similar organizations. 

• Deep knowledge of childcare licensing regulations, health and safety standards, and regulatory frameworks across multiple states. 

• Ability to synthesize complex regulatory and policy information into clear, practical guidance for diverse audiences. 

• Strong relationship-building and influencing skills with the ability to work effectively with franchise owners, regulators, accrediting bodies, and internal stakeholders. 

• Effective verbal and written communication skills, including presenting information, facilitating training, and developing guidance resources. 

• Self-directed and highly organized, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and initiatives independently. 

• Sound judgment, attention to detail, and a commitment to supporting operational excellence across the franchise system.