Early Learning Multnomah Hub Director at UNITED WAY OF THE COLUMBIA-WILLAMETTE

Purpose of this Role 

Are you passionate about transforming early learning systems to ensure every child has the opportunity to thrive? As the Early Learning Multnomah (ELM) Director at United Way of the Columbia-Willamette (UWCW), you will lead a movement that strengthens community voice, advances equity, and builds lasting opportunities for our youngest learners across our region. 

In this pivotal role, you will guide and elevate the ELM Hub, driving collaboration among local, regional, and national partners to advance equitable early learning opportunities. Equity is the foundation of this role. You’ll be a trusted convener and catalyst for change, bringing together diverse voices, fostering deep relationships, and ensuring ELM remains a bold champion for equity. You will work closely with and advocate for people of color, immigrant populations, and families that come from historically marginalized groups. Experience working alongside these communities with humility and cultural responsiveness is essential for success with this role.  

The Director will bring a deep understanding of Multnomah County’s communities—particularly immigrant, refugee, and communities of color—and will work to ensure their perspectives and lived experiences are reflected in policies, programs, and systems. 

Early Learning Multnomah is one of 16 Early Learning Hubs in Oregon that connect and coordinate services for young children and families at the regional level. The Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) administers the grants to fund and oversee each of the Hubs. Hubs are established to coordinate and align early learning and care services for children from birth to age six with an emphasis on young children who face barriers due to race, income, language or where they live, and bring local leaders together to build a shared vision. By centering family voice and aligning priorities, funding and services, hubs help ensure communities’ needs are more effectively met.   

This is a grant-funded position that is responsible for leading, implementing, and ensuring compliance with UWCW’s contract with the Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC). UWCW serves as the backbone of the hub, providing legal, financial, human resources, professional development, marketing, team culture and support for the Director and staff. 

Key Accountabilities 

Strategic Alignment of Programs, Equity Leadership & Community Engagement – 55% 

• In partnership with the Governance Council, the Hub Director will administer and oversee all ELM Hub functions, ensuring alignment with state requirements and equity goals. 

• Work with the Hub Governance Council to develop strategies that align early learning programs, assets, people and resources to reach and positively impact key communities, with equity principles at the center 

• Develop and implement a county-wide assessment and action plan that centers the needs of priority populations and aligns with Oregon’s statewide early childhood system plan. 

• Facilitate strategic convenings of sector and community partners to co-create equitable solutions. 

• Guide ELM’s Coordinated Enrollment team to expand access to publicly funded preschools and support families in navigating early learning opportunities. 

• Represent ELM in national, state, and local coalitions and advocacy efforts, centering equity and elevating family and community voice 

• Identify opportunities to expand and increase the Hub’s presence and impact within the community 

• Work in partnership with the Governance Council to identify opportunities to engage with communities and organizations to inform and strengthen early learning programs 

• Build and sustain relationships with culturally specific and community-based organizations to identify priorities, align strategies, and bolster community-based programs 

• Partner with the Parent Accountability Council (PAC) to ensure parent voice informs the Governance Council, strategies, advocacy and programming 

• Support the PAC in identifying opportunities for collaboration with partners, shaping program design, and co-developing culturally responsive solutions 

• Work with the PAC to identify opportunities for parent leadership, training and advocacy within the community 

• Build relationships with organizations that are a part of the Governance Council 

• Foster trust, transparency and collaboration among partners and communities, with a focus on marginalized and underserved groups

Fiscal Oversight, Data and Accountability – 20% 

• Work closely with the Hub Governance Council and UWCW team to ensure financial transparency and accountability in Hub operations, including overseeing contract administration, financial management, and reporting requirements, and developing and managing the ELM budget  

• Maintain a clear understanding of how Hub funds are allocated and spent, ensuring compliance with the Grant Agreement. 

• Ensure measurable progress and accountability through reliable data collection, shared metrics, and transparent communication with partners 

Staff Leadership and Development, Internal Collaboration and Leadership – 20% 

• Hire, train and oversee ELM staff, ensuring professional growth, accountability, cultural competency and alignment with equity-focused outcomes. 

• Cultivate an inclusive community-centered, results-driven, and service-oriented team culture grounded in innovation and collaboration. 

• Identify opportunities to elevate and center community voice within internal UWCW systems and processes 

• Ensure periodic goal reviews, performance evaluation, and continuous learning opportunities for staff. 

• Work collaboratively with UWCW’s Community Impact, Resource Development, and Marketing teams to communicate the importance and impact of early learning initiatives to donors and stakeholders. 

• Share promising practices and lessons learned with other Hub Directors to build collective statewide progress. 

• Demonstrate adaptive leadership within the Community Impact Department and across collaborative, cross-sector partnerships, leveraging emotional intelligence to foster trust, empathy, and open communication  

State Partnership & Peer Learning – 5% 

• Elevate community voice and family needs to the state level to help ensure policies and practices reflect the needs of Multnomah County families 

• Serve as a liaison to DELC, attending required meetings, peer learning sessions, and technical assistance opportunities. 

• Attend statewide and regional Hub Director meetings to collaborate and share learnings 

Performs other duties as assigned by the Sr. Director of Education Initiatives  

This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. This is not an exhaustive list of all required duties, responsibilities, and skills. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable disabled individuals to perform the essential functions of the job. 

Required Competencies and Skills 

• Equity & Cultural Competency: Demonstrated commitment to equity and cultural humility, with experience engaging diverse communities. Ability to build a climate that promotes acceptance, inclusion and respect for all individuals and ability to engage with families according to their cultural norms and practices. Deep knowledge of and experience with communities within Multnomah County. 

• Leadership & Facilitation: Skilled at convening diverse stakeholders, building consensus, and facilitating collaborative decision-making.  Experience using culturally responsive leadership best practices, including building trusting relationships with communities who have been furthest from traditional decision making  

• Systems Thinking: Ability to navigate complexity, identify systemic barriers, and drive coordinated action across multiple sectors.  Ability to leverage relationships and knowledge to bring people together, identify problems to close opportunity and quality gaps in early learning and care, and lead processes to generate solutions collaboratively. 

• Experience in the Early Learning Space: Knowledge of Oregon and Multnomah County’s early learning systems, community partners and priority populations served by the Hub  

• Fiscal & Administrative Oversight: Strong financial management skills, including budgeting, compliance, and reporting in a nonprofit or public sector setting, with ability to administer complex grants and contracts  

• Data-Informed Decision Making: Experience using data for shared accountability, continuous improvement, and transparent communication with partners. 

• Communication: Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to connect authentically with community members, staff, government agencies, and donors. 

• Relationship Building: Ability to create and maintain positive relationships with community members, community partners, the State and early learning partners 

• Continuous Learning: Ability to engage in continuous growth around anti-racism, trauma-informed practice and cultural responsiveness 

Education, Skills, Experience and Training Required for this Position 

We encourage you to apply even if you don't meet all the qualifications listed. We value diverse skills and experiences, so we invite you to apply if you believe you can succeed in this role. 

• Bachelor's degree in education, Business Administration, or related field. Candidates with significant professional or lived experience in human services or early learning may be considered in lieu of a degree.  

• At least 8 years of experience in human services, early learning, or a related field, including program development, administration, and fiscal oversight. 

• Minimum of 5 years of experience supervising staff, teams, or programs 

• Existing understanding of and experience working within the Early Learning Community, including direct experience in early childhood education and/or family support services 

• Effective oral and written communication skills with an ability to relate with a diverse group of individuals or organizations in an effective manner 

• Experience managing budgets and grant contracts 

• Proven experience leading collaborative efforts with diverse stakeholders, including culturally specific organizations and government partners. 

• Ability to think strategically with proven, strong ability to execute on a plan and ability to take initiative and be creative in thinking and solutions 

• Commitment to excellence and the mission of United Way 

• Demonstrated cultural competency and a strong commitment to racial equity, with experience applying these principles in a professional setting 

• Knowledge of Multnomah County early learning system and community partners, as well as Oregon’s early learning system, policies, and equity goal 

Additional Competencies and Required Skills 

• Self-Management 

• Communication Skills 

• Utilize and Acquire Knowledge 

• Visionary 

• Outward-Turning 

• Demonstrates Social Responsibility and Stewardship 

• Facilitates Teamwork 

• Embraces Ambiguity and Paradox 

• Demonstrates Complexity and Systems Thinking 

• Shares Power and Decision-Making 

Technical Knowledge 

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office. Outlook and virtual meeting platforms (such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or similar) are required as these tools are integral to daily organizational operations and collaboration. 

• Must have a valid driver’s license, automobile insurance, and a reliable vehicle 

Structure & Support 

Supervisory Direction Received: 

• Position works under the general direction of the Sr. Director of Education Initiatives 

• Requires planning and arranging of own work in relation to overall set objectives 

• Work subject to review and evaluation by the Sr. Director of Education Initiatives 

Working Relationships: 

• United Way staff and volunteers; funded partners; local, regional, and state government staff and leaders; and community and nonprofit leaders 

• Coordinate with all Community Impact staff members to foster ongoing, effective relationships with key community stakeholders across the region 

• Support Resource Development staff to engage and communicate about our Early Learning strategies effectively with donors 

Supervises: 

• Early Learning Multnomah Team Staff 

Resources & Support: United Way provides administrative support, professional development opportunities, and access to internal systems and tools necessary for program management and fiscal oversight. 

Success metrics: Success is defined by effective program delivery, strong team performance and engagement, positive engagement with communities and partners, and positive outcomes in early learning for children in Multnomah County. 

Physical Requirements 

• United Way of the Columbia-Willamette operates in a hybrid environment. You will be expected to be onsite at the UWCW office at least two days a week and working from your remote office the remainder of the week 

• This is a community facing role. You will be expected to engage with community members offsite at in person meetings. Must be able to work a flexible schedule which occasionally may include some early mornings, evenings, and weekends.  

• Work is primarily performed indoors, within an open office setting with a moderate noise level and occasional exposure to scents. 

• Frequently required to sit/stand at a computer in a stationary position. 

• Frequently operates a computer and other office productivity equipment, such as copy machine, printer, phone, and fax machine. 

• Frequently required to move about inside the office for meetings, access to information, office equipment, etc. 

• Frequently required to travel locally for meetings that occur in other office settings. 

• Frequently required to travel regionally and occasionally nationally for meetings, training, and conferences in other office settings throughout the year.