Program Director, ECCE Regional Strategy & Engagement

Purpose of the Position

The Program Director will serve as the lead for advancing EO’s community partnerships for early learning. As an employee of EO Companies, the Director will catalyze partnerships that advance high-quality, affordable early childhood care and education throughout the region.   

The Director will focus on supply building, public education, and directing the efforts of the Virginia Business Roundtable for Early Education (VBREE) Southwest Virginia Division. The Director will convene partners across sectors to address gaps in childcare access, support workforce sustainability, and align efforts with broader economic and workforce development goals.  

This is a high-visibility role requiring a dynamic professional who is strategic, collaborative, and committed to building a stronger early childhood ecosystem that supports families, communities, and economic growth. 

Essential functions  

   Regional Strategy + Cross Sector Convening   

• Lead the development and execution of a regional early childhood strategy aligned with the VBREE priorities of supply building and public education and awareness in addition to local economic/workforce needs.  


• Convene leaders from business, government, economic development, philanthropy, higher education, school systems, and childcare sectors to foster alignment and joint action.  


• Facilitate stakeholder meetings, workgroups, and advisory committees to drive consensus and collective impact.  


• Serve as a regional champion for early education, demonstrating its return on investment and relevance to workforce participation, family success, and community resilience.  


• Provide briefings, facilitate roundtables, and share success stories with elected officials, business leaders, and governmental organizations.  


• Represent Southwest Virginia at VBREE leadership events, legislative briefings, and statewide convenings.  


• Advise President and CEO and VP of Programs of local, state, and national policies impacting early childhood care and education.
  
  

   Child Care Supply Expansion & ECCE Workforce Sustainability 

• Using existing EO data reports and established networks, disseminate geographic and demographic gaps in childcare availability across the region.  


• Develop and advance region-specific strategies to increase access to childcare, including new center development, family childcare recruitment, employer-supported childcare, and shared service models.  


• Support implementation of innovative and sustainable facility and staffing solutions, such as adaptive reuse of vacant spaces or co-location partnerships.  


• Promote regional efforts to improve educator compensation, reduce turnover, and support career pathways.  


• Build partnerships with workforce boards, education institutions, and technical centers to create credentialing, training, and pipeline programs.  


• Utilize state and local data systems to track access, supply, utilization, and workforce metrics.  


• Document and share promising practices, lessons learned, and replicable models from Southwest Virginia with VBREE peers. 

Competencies  

• Strong verbal, written, and oral communication skills  


• Presentation and public speaking skills; ability to facilitate meetings and groups  


• Strong commitment to maintaining integrity and confidentiality of information; able to tailor messaging to diverse audiences including policymakers, educators, and business executives  


• Ability to work both independently and in a team environment  


• Ability to network and partner with all stakeholders, including a broad and diverse representation of community organizations  


• Ability to develop, implement, and manage regional strategic planning  


• Ability to create and present ideas and budgets in a variety of formats  


• Proficiency and experience with Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Adobe, Publisher  


• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment  


• Requires skill in multi-tasking, meeting deadlines, and performing under pressure  


• Knowledge of the service area (strengths, culture, and challenges)  


• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions  


• Demonstrated success with program evaluation and planning  


• Proven experience with coalition-building, facilitation, and cross-sector collaboration—especially in rural or multi-jurisdictional regions.  


• Excellent organizational and prioritizing skills  


• Demonstrating ethical behavior and maintaining a strong set of values  


• Encouraging innovation and thinking outside the box  


• Adapting to changes and managing unexpected challenges 


• Ability to quickly learn and navigate early childhood education policy, funding systems, and provider landscapes 

 Work environment 

This position is based in the Abingdon, Virginia office. Local travel required regularly and some out of town overnight stays. 

 Physical demands 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. 

Position type and expected hours of work 

Employee should be able to work core hours of 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM and be able to attend frequent meetings and events outside of core hours. 

Travel required 

The ideal candidate will reside in the EO service area and be available to attend early morning, evening, and/or weekend meetings and should be able to travel independently throughout Southwest Virginia.   

 Certificates, licenses, registrations required 

• Valid driver's license and automobile insurance 


• Reliable high-speed home internet. 
  

Required education and experience 

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field such as public administration, business, education, or human development required 


• Demonstrated leadership in community development, workforce strategy, education, early childhood systems, public policy, or economic development.  


• Proven experience with coalition-building, facilitation, and cross-sector collaboration, especially in rural or multi-jurisdictional regions. 

Preferred education and experience 

• Master’s degree in a related field such as public administration, business, education, or human development 


• Familiarity with Southwest Virginia regional assets and community dynamics 


• Experience in Early Childhood Education and/or Collective Impact work 

Affirmative Action/EEO statement 

EO is an equal employment opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will be considered for vacancies without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions including lactation, age, or status as a veteran or other category protected under applicable state or municipal law. EO will reasonably accommodate the disabilities of qualified applicants to permit them to perform the essential functions of the subject position. 

Other duties 

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.