Associate Director of Early Learning Partnerships

Job Description

Job Description

Position Summary: 

The Associate Director of Early Learning Partnerships provides strategic and operational oversight of key community-based early childhood initiatives, including the Blue Mountain Early Learning Hub (BMELH), Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R), Every Child Belongs (ECB), and Oregon Parenting Education Collaborative (OPEC).

This position serves as the UMHS co-lead for the Blue Mountain Early Learning Hub in partnership with Intermountain Education Service District (IMESD), the fiscal backbone organization. The Associate Director is responsible for ensuring UMHS meets all contracted deliverables, maintains strong cross-agency collaboration, and contributes to effective regional early learning system coordination.

This position is responsible for strengthening alignment and collaboration across BMELH, CCR&R, ECB, and OPEC. The Associate Director will lead efforts to design and implement cross-program strategies that enhance coordination, support service delivery, and promote high-quality, integrated outcomes for families, providers, and communities.

This role requires a highly relational, organized, and self-directed leader who demonstrates initiative, strong communication skills, and the ability to build and maintain effective partnerships across diverse stakeholders. The Associate Director serves as both an internal connector and external representative, ensuring programs are aligned, informed, and effectively positioned within the region’s broader early learning system.

Programs Overseen:

• Blue Mountain Early Learning Hub (BMELH) – Co-Lead (UMHS) 
• Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) 
• Every Child Belongs (ECB) 
• Oregon Parenting Education Collaborative (OPEC) 

Essential Responsibilities:

BMELH Co-Leadership (Primary Function)

• Serve as the UMHS co-lead for BMELH in partnership with IMESD, ensuring effective collaboration and shared leadership. 

• Collaboratively set and drive a regional vision for early childhood outcomes aligned with state priorities (e.g., kindergarten readiness, family stability, health equity). 
• Identify systemic gaps (access, workforce, funding fragmentation) and mobilize solutions across agencies. 
• Translate broad policy frame works and state early learning systems into cohesive regional strategies. 
• Serve as a convener and integrator across sectors: education, health, behavioral health, housing, child welfare, and economic development. 
• Shape policy by: 

• Translating community needs into policy recommendations 

• Providing testimony or briefings to legislators and agencies 

• Monitor regulatory changes and ensure organizational and regional compliance/alignment.  

• Build and sustain high trust partnerships with:

• School districts and Education School District
• Local nonprofit organizations
• Local community services agencies
• Local health care organizations 
• State agencies (Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC), Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS), Oregon Health Authority (OHA), etc.) 
• Community-based organizations and tribal partners 

• Represent UMHS, BMELH and the region in:

• Hub governance, leadership, and regional coordination meetings
• State-level policy discussions, advisory groups, and coalitions

• Ensure UMHS fulfills all subcontracted responsibilities, deliverables, and reporting requirements tied to the Hub agreement. 
• Collaboratively lead collective impact functions, ensuring alignment of goals, metrics, and coordinated action. 
• Maintain proactive communication and coordination with the IMESD co-lead to support alignment, transparency, and shared decision-making. 
• Ensure effective two-way communication between BMELH and UMHS by consistently sharing updates, expectations, and opportunities, and elevating UMHS perspectives and needs. 
• Monitor progress on deliverables and ensure timely completion of assigned tasks. 
• Actively engage in partnership-building efforts and navigate complex relationships in a solutions-oriented manner

Liaison, Communication and Representation

• Serve as the primary liaison between UMHS and external partners, including BMELH/IMESD and other community and state partners. 
• Translate priorities, initiatives, and expectations across BMELH, CCR&R, ECB, and OPEC into clear, actionable guidance for UMHS staff. 
• Increase internal awareness and understanding of all assigned programs, ensuring staff understand program goals, expectations, and connections across services. 
• Ensure UMHS programs are informed, engaged, and aligned with regional early learning and family support efforts. 
• Represent UMHS as a spokesperson for BMELH, CCR&R, ECB, and OPEC in external meetings, workgroups, and collaborative settings. 
• Communicate UMHS program strengths, needs, and perspectives effectively to external partners. 
• Facilitate consistent information sharing across programs to strengthen coordination, alignment, and service delivery. 
• Act as a visible, credible ambassador for early childhood in the region. 
• Engage families, including Head Start Parent Policy Council structures, ensuring authentic parent voice informs strategy.
• Build public will and awareness around early childhood investment and impact.

Cross-Program Coordination and Systems Alignment

• Lead intentional alignment across BMELH, CCR&R, ECB, and OPEC to strengthen coordinated service delivery. 
• Design and implement cross-program strategies that leverage each program’s strengths to better support families and providers. 
• Facilitate regular cross-program meetings to promote collaboration, shared planning, and accountability. 
• Identify opportunities for joint initiatives (e.g., shared outreach, coordinated trainings, integrated family engagement strategies).
• Ensure programs are not operating in isolation by promoting shared goals, communication, and resource alignment. 
• Promote visibility and understanding of CCR&R, OPEC, and ECB both internally and externally to strengthen program alignment and community impact. 
• Support the development of integrated deliverables that reflect collaboration across programs and align with regional early learning priorities. 

Leadership and Program Oversight

• Provide direct supervision and support to program managers across assigned programs. 

• Ensure programs operate in alignment with contract requirements, grant deliverables, and organization expectations. 
• Monitor program performance, outcomes, and timelines to ensure goals are met. 
• Support implementation of strategic priorities across programs. 
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement. 
• Partner closely with the BMELH Board to ensure: 

• Strong governance practices 
• Clear strategic direction 
• Support board development and alignment with the regional leadership role. 

Compliance and Contract Management

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, including DELC, ODHS, and other funding entities. 
• Monitor contract deliverables, reporting requirements, and spending timelines. 
• Partner with finance staff to track budgets, expenditures, and funding allocations. 
• Identify and address areas of risk or non-compliance.