Chief of Communications & Outreach

Company Overview

The Early Learning Coalition of Southwest Florida (ELC) collaborates with families, educators, and community partners to enhance children's lives across Collier, Glades, Hendry, and Lee Counties. In 1999, the Florida legislature enacted the School Readiness Act, which unified early childhood education and childcare programs into a single system. This led to the creation of the Florida Partnership for School Readiness to coordinate programs through local coalitions throughout Florida. Since 2005, the Early Learning Coalitions have administered both the School Readiness Program and VPK at the county/regional level.

Mission

We champion and foster high-quality early learning opportunities across Collier, Glades, Hendry, and Lee Counties, preparing children for kindergarten, supporting families, and building a stronger, more vibrant, and prosperous community.

Summary

Directs and plans the operations and activities for the Early Learning Coalition of Southwest Florida’s (ELC) Quality Services area. Work involves developing, implementing, and evaluating community engagement, public awareness, and partnership initiatives to advance the mission of the ELC. Responsible for building strong relationships with families, early childhood providers, community organizations, businesses, and policymakers to promote high-quality early learning opportunities. Serves as a public ambassador for the Coalition, ensuring alignment between community needs, outreach strategies, and organizational goals.

Position is primarily focused on directing, coaching, developing, and evaluating other people. Position requires extensive depth of expertise and knowledge in specialized functions or business areas that can be used to develop policies and procedures as well as determining efficient and innovative ways to accomplish the organization’s business strategies.

Essential Functions

The essential functions listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.

• Facilitates and implements approved work and strategic plans; develops and maintains a high-quality customer service program, ensuring staff is effectively trained in related procedures and practices
• Directs, provides guidance to, and reviews the work of individual contributors and supervisory employees in order to accomplish operational plans and results
• Develops and ensures implementation of best practice standards and ensures compliance with all regulatory and funding agencies; compiles and submits data for trend analysis and regulatory reporting
• Develops and leads a comprehensive community engagement and outreach strategy to increase awareness of early learning programs, services, and resources
• Works with leadership to align outreach goals with the ELC’s strategic plan, funding requirements, and advocacy priorities
• Oversees outreach budgets, ensuring resources are used effectively and in compliance with grant and contract guidelines
• Establishes and maintains partnerships with schools, childcare providers, faith-based organizations, businesses, civic groups, and governmental agencies
• Represents the ELC at community events, forums, and public meetings to promote early childhood education initiatives
• Facilitates stakeholder input sessions to gather feedback on early learning needs and challenges in the community
• Leads public education campaigns on the importance of school readiness, early literacy, and family engagement
• Collaborates with marketing and communications teams to develop outreach materials, social media content, newsletters, and press releases
• Supports advocacy efforts by sharing community impact stories, data, and testimonials with legislators, funders, and other stakeholders
• Supervises outreach coordinators, community liaisons, and volunteers, providing coaching, performance feedback, and professional development
• Monitors program effectiveness using data and performance metrics, making recommendations for improvement
• Ensures all outreach activities meet cultural competency standards and are accessible to diverse populations
• Streamlines and enhances internal communication processes to boost staff retention and increase overall productivity
• Develops a formalized internal communication plan that enhances internal feedback processes and creates communication loops to improve staff input and responsiveness
• Reviews and updates existing internal processes and policies ensuring alignment with current statutory requirements, the Florida Administrative Code, and Division of Early Learning Program Guidance
• Maintains an ability to travel on a flexible schedule per organizational responsibilities and requirements
• Informs and advises the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) on matters pertaining to engagement of new employees, termination of existing employees, and all other pertinent employment actions
• Establishes/develops and maintains collaboration, trust, and cohesion with colleagues; demonstrates and fosters a commitment to the mission, goals, and organizational culture of the ELC

Supervision:

• Reviews and evaluates work methods and procedures and meets with management staff to identify and resolve problems
• Assesses and monitors workload; identifies opportunities for improvement and implements changes
• Selects, trains, motivates, and evaluates personnel; provides or coordinates staff training; works with employees to correct deficiencies; implements discipline and termination procedures
• Oversees and participates in the development and administration of the departmental budget; informs the forecasting process for assigned areas in collaboration with the Chief Financial Officer; approves expenditures and implements budgetary adjustments for approved and assigned budget
• Receives claims or reports of unlawful harassment and discrimination and reports same to superiors, assists in the investigation process of relevant claims, and takes corrective measures to ensure a workplace free of harassment or discrimination

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in communications, public relations, education, nonprofit management, or related field; supplemented by ten (10) years of directly related experience, including three (3) years of supervisory or management experience; or an equivalent combination of education, certification, training, and/or experience.

A valid State of Florida Driver's License, proof of auto insurance, and eligibility to secure a car via an authorized car rental agency are required.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

At least five (5) years of program management work in a nonprofit or human services organization, including coordinating services for external parties and leading staff

Familiarity with the State of Florida’s School Readiness (SR) and Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) programs

An ability to understand and communicate, orally and in writing, in English and Spanish or Haitian Creole

OTHER EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS

Employment in this position is contingent on authorizing, submitting, and maintaining satisfactory:

• Per State of Florida Statutes, Level 2 Criminal History Record Checks
• Per State of Florida Statues, E-Verify system for employment eligibility verification
• Drug testing
• Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) with no record of criminal driving offense or license suspension

EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK

Hours of operation are Wednesday through Tuesday (weekdays), 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (40-hours); evening and weekend hours may be required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Advanced knowledge of child development and the philosophies, principles, and best practices of early childhood education programs and curriculum
• Advanced knowledge of family engagement best practices
• Advanced knowledge of the statewide data system, including Enhanced Field System Modernization (EFS MOD), Tableau, or related systems
• Advanced knowledge of principles, practices, methodologies, and techniques utilized to effectively manage and motivate a diverse workforce
• Working knowledge of professional development opportunities, needs, and related programs and resources
• Working knowledge of community engagement, digital communications, and marketing strategies, platforms/channels, and trends
• Skill in the use of Microsoft Office products (Word, Outlook, and Excel) and applicable department / organization specific software and ability to learn and become proficient in the use of other specialized software as may be required
• Skill in adapting to a changing work environment, competing demands and ability to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events
• Skill in developing, managing, and interpreting budgets, contracts, and fiscal and financial reports
• Skill in effectively presenting and sharing information to a variety of audiences and adjusting delivery based on the nature of the information
• Skill in resolving conflicts, confrontations, or disagreements in a constructive manner to minimize negative personal impact
• Ability to clearly communicate and understand information in English, both orally and in writing
• Ability to lead and motivate others to achieve goals
• Ability to formulate, initiate, and administer policies and procedures for effective fiscal control
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret program related laws and regulations and establish necessary work processes, procedures and where necessary, recommend policies to the CEO for board approval
• Ability to manage multiple priorities to ensure that deadlines are met and to set priorities that move projects through efficiently to achieve customer and quality objectives
• Ability to analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations and action plans in support of goals
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with those interacted with during work regardless of race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, genetic information, disability, political affiliation, military service, or diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds
• Ability to regularly attend work and arrive punctually for designated work schedule
• Ability and means to travel independently and as needed for work related matters, including on nights and/or weekends as required by organizational and/or job obligations

CALL TO ACTION

'Join us in making a difference! If you are a dynamic communicator passionate about early childhood education, we invite you to bring your expertise to our team. Let’s work together to create a brighter future for our children and community.'

Salary quoted is a range, is negotiable, and is based on experience.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $100,000.00 - $112,500.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person