Early Childhood Education Program Director

Based in Chicago, the William G. McGowan Charitable Fund is committed to Family Mobility from Poverty.  This vision is brought to life through grant-making efforts in two program areas:  Early Childhood Education, age 0 through grade 3 and Comprehensive Workforce Development. The Fund gives priority to programs that have demonstrated success, measurable outcomes and plans for sustainability, and aim to end cycles of poverty and suffering.  The goals for Early Childhood Education are to see children demonstrate proficiency in reading, math and executive function skills at the end of 3rd grade.  Resolute in their belief in the power of partnerships or collaborative efforts to maximize impact, the Fund embraces opportunities to work with other funders in their program areas. Reporting to the CEO, the newly created position of Early Childhood Education (ECE) Program Director works to advance the vision, goals, and objectives of the Early Childhood Education grantmaking portfolio. Working with leaders in the public sector, foundations, and non-profit organizations as part of the early childhood education strategy is expected. Expertise in key areas of early childhood development and education through grade three is required. The ECE Program Director ensures programs reflect the McGowan’s Fund commitment to ethical leadership, diversity & inclusion, equity, cultural humility, and community partnership.  Qualified candidates will possess understanding of the grantmaking process and will demonstrate the ability to analyze complex organizational and community conditions to identify grant opportunities.  Demonstrated capacity to take initiative and execute strategies, including the ability to define program objectives, evaluate progress, and manage projects through a complete lifecycle is required.  The successful candidate will have expertise in co-designing programs with early childhood education providers and bring strong relationship-building, and communication skills. Bachelor’s degree required, graduate degree or equivalent work experience preferred.  Candidates must have at least 5 to 7 years of related work experience.  The ideal candidate will bring expertise in early childhood education and philanthropic programs. Familiarity with online grants application and management system, ideally Foundant, strongly desired. Willingness to travel (estimated travel time 10-20%) needed. Please send a current resume and letter of introduction to Noetic Search.  For more information, please visit www.noeticexsearch.com or the McGowan Fund’s website at www.williamgmcgowanfund.org. SALARY
$100,000-120,000 depending on competencies and experience. Salary is based on national benchmarking data for foundations.  The Foundation offers generous benefits including retirement contributions, medical, dental, vision, life and matching gifts, hybrid work schedule and paid time off.  The William G. McGowan Charitable Fund is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Decisions and criteria governing the employment relationship with all employees are made in a non-discriminatory manner, without regard to race, ethnicity, creed, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, citizenship status, military service and/or marital status, order of protection status, handicap, disability, or any other factor determined to be unlawful by federal, state, or local statutes. We encourage people from these communities to apply.