Program Manager, MiEarly Apprentice

Michigan Educator Workforce Initiative - MiEarly Apprentice Program Manager

(Michigan based; remote with regular in-state travel)

Who We Are

Michigan Educator Workforce Initiative (MEWI) is a hub for educator talent. MEWI adopts a “systems-adjacent” approach, working closely with K-12 districts and higher education institutions to design and support innovative approaches to recruiting and developing teachers and school leaders. We are committed to hiring a team that represents the diversity our state offers.

What We Do

MEWI is an adaptive organization that plays the roles necessary to foster innovation and long-term, systematic capacity-building in the educator talent space. Depending on the context and project needs, MEWI acts as a “doer”, funder, supporter, or convener. MEWI designs, implements, funds, and supports innovative programs to recruit, develop, retain, and elevate new and veteran teachers and school leaders. MEWI captures insights and learnings from our work to share with systems leaders, policy makers, parents, and community leaders and convenes educators to share best practices, collaborate, and problem-solve.

What You’ll Do

As MEWI’s first Early Childhood Program Manager, you will play a critical role in the launch of MEWI’s inaugural programs and partnerships in the early childhood landscape. The Program Manager will design and manage systems, tools, and resources to support the program launch, participant experience, and partner relationships. You will be a champion for our program participants, ensuring the first cohort of participants have a positive experience, reach program outcomes, and are retained in their roles following program completion.

Who You Are

The ideal candidate for this role:

• Has an entrepreneurial spirit. This person enjoys working in a fast-paced and ambiguous environment and does not get overwhelmed easily when managing multiple stakeholder relationships.
• Is self-directed and independent. This person will work independently to build systems from the ground up which requires discipline and focus.
• Has excellent communication skills. This person is skilled at both written and verbal communication and can adapt communications for different audiences.
• Is detail-oriented and a creative problem solver. This person anticipates challenges in advance and provides proactive solutions to complex problems.
• Is a critical and analytical thinker. This person likes to get in the weeds and enjoys analyzing data and translating this data for different stakeholders.
• Has strong project management skills. This person can manage large, cross-functional projects and programs and is skilled at connecting the dots across functions and teams.
• Is a team player. This person has strong relationship-building skills and is always willing to jump in and support team members and partners as needed to meet a goal.
• Believes all children deserve to attend great schools and child care centers. This person understands that our school and child care systems are fundamentally broken but believes that - through innovation and partnership - they can be places where all children can thrive.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (or higher) from an accredited college or university
• Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE), Child Development, or a comparable area (preferred)
• 5+ years experience in the early childhood sector as a teacher, center director, and/or program administration
• Experience coaching and developing other ECE teachers towards measurable results
• Experience in program design and curriculum development
• Experience developing, using, and maintaining data collection and management tools and systems
• Experience and comfort conducting meetings and facilitating or supporting virtual presentations
• Proficient with software and technology including Zoom, Microsoft and/or Google suite
• (Preferred) Experience with Salesforce
• (Preferred) Experience in teacher preparation and/or higher education serving early childhood teacher candidates
• (Preferred) Has served in an early childhood systems-level role
• (Preferred) Experience supporting PreK classrooms in both Community-based organizations and school district settings
• (Preferred) Connections to local, regional, and/or statewide ECE partners

Responsibilities

• Relationship management - Coordinate supports and manage relationships with partners, including higher education partners, Child Development Associate (CDA) providers, local workforce agencies, school districts, community-based providers, and others as needed
• Program design - In collaboration Director, Programs, higher education partners, and CDA providers, design program(s) that are high quality and responsive to participants’ prior experience and current needs, including MEWI’s Early Childhood Educator Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP)
• Participant experience - Ensure participants have a high-quality experience by establishing systems for regular check-ins and coordination of supplemental supports with MiEarly Apprentice success navigators, including a system for Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTCC) supports for teacher certification candidates
• Coaching, observation, & feedback - Regularly provide virtual and on-site coaching for RAP program participants and their mentors, in alignment with program design and outcomes
• Design and implement systems and processes for record keeping and data collection, in collaboration with partners, to ensure efficient program operations
• Develop and manage project plans that drive organizational and programmatic work; invest internal and external stakeholders in plans and holds them accountable to deadlines
• Design and implement communication tools including presentations and written reports to share knowledge and information with MEWI’s organizational and programmatic stakeholders
• Collaborate with MEWI leadership/team members and partners to ensure effective launch and execution of all early childhood-focused programs and additional programs, as needed
• Provide excellent customer service to several stakeholders in a wide variety of roles
• Perform other duties as assigned to support other MEWI projects and teammates with additional capacity during high volume periods of work

Compensation

The salary range for this position is $86,338-$107,997. Health, vision, dental, and retirement benefits are also available.