Start Early (formerly known as the Ounce) is an energized, future-focused organization devoted to providing quality early learning and care across the country.

Our desire to close the opportunity gap and build more equitable early learning experiences for our youngest learners guides everything we do. As a leader in early learning and care, we scale our deep expertise across program, policy and research through partnerships across the country.

We are recruiting individuals who want to join us in this mission and share a commitment to our core values of appreciation & respect, empowerment, diversity, excellence, learning and communication.

Become part of our rewarding, mission-driven culture! We want our employees to feel empowered, motivated, energized, and passionate about the work they do!

Start Early is seeking an Early Childhood Disability Policy Manager to help advance Start Early’s priority focused on a more equitable and inclusive early childhood system for young children with disabilities and developmental delays. The Early Childhood Disability Policy Manager will work with Start Early staff across multiple internal systems change teams and external partners to help advance the early childhood disability priorities of the organization in Illinois, across states and communities, and at the federal level. The Manager will play a lead role in researching and developing written materials focused on early childhood disability policy issues and opportunities, and facilitate strategic collaboration and coordination across the organization and externally to advance Start Early’s early childhood disability systems change efforts. This is a two-year fellowship with a potential opportunity for continuation dependent on funding*.

Reporting to the Director, Consulting, you will:

• Lead research and data analysis to inform policy and systems change strategies focused on early childhood disability issues.
• Develop written publications, e.g. blogs, reports, presentations, tools, and other public-facing materials exploring and advancing policy challenges, ideas, and solutions.
• Manage internal and external meetings, projects/initiatives, and partners including but not limited to developing and monitoring work plans, supporting internal and external colleagues in completing tasks on time, organizing meeting dates, producing meeting agendas and facilitating meetings, and tracking action steps.
• Deepen Start Early’s understanding of and advance innovative systems change strategies for a more equitable and inclusive early childhood system for young children with disabilities and developmental delays.
• Collaborate with Start Early staff, allied organizations, parents, public sector leaders, and advocates to advance Start Early’s strategy through advocacy, consulting, and federal policy projects.

Qualifications:

• Knowledge of early childhood disability policies and laws, related policy issues, and systems-building strategies with a focus on the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part C / Early Intervention, IDEA Part B-Section 619 / early childhood special education, and inclusion of children with disabilities and developmental delays across the early childhood system at the federal, state, and local levels.
• Bachelor’s Degree required. Advanced degree preferred in public policy, law, social work, early childhood education, or related field.
• Minimum of 6 years of progressive professional experience in public policy and/or advocacy.
• Strong research and analysis and project management skills.
• Strong oral, written, and visual communication skills and demonstrated ability to articulate complex ideas, thoughts, and concepts clearly and effectively.
• Ability to work individually and in teams within a highly collaborative environment with culturally diverse colleagues.
• Comfort and experience in handling risk and uncertainty to move work forward
• Commitment to racial equity, including an understanding of institutional and structural racism and bias and their impact on underserved and underrepresented communities.

We recognize that few candidates might meet every single piece of knowledge, experience, or education listed here. Research shows that women and people of color, among many other historically excluded groups, are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. Start Early is dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your qualifications don’t perfectly align with everything in the job description, we still encourage you to apply!

Base Annual Salary: $89,500 - $95,000

*This position has the opportunity to be remote.

We believe that all employees should be paid fairly and equitably. As of the time of this posting, this is the expected base annual salary range. The base annual salary will be based on a wide range of factors, including skills, qualifications, experience, as well as business needs and limitations.

Our generous benefits plan includes:

Comprehensive Health Plans, Commitment to Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, Holistic Wellness Program, Professional Development Program, 401k Contribution, Paid Volunteer Days, 6 months paid parental leave, and much more.

Start Early is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to our core values by creating an inclusive environment for all staff.