Director, Early Childhood Programs - Center for Child Well-Being

Department of Psychiatry

The Center for Child Well-Being in the School of Medicine is seeking a Domain Director of Early Childhood Programs to lead and grow a diverse portfolio of early childhood initiatives. This position oversees a multi-million dollar portfolio of programs and a team of 10+ full-time professional staff delivering high-impact social-emotional learning services to children and families across Missouri.

Key Responsibilities:
- Provide strategic and operational oversight for all early childhood projects housed within the Center, ensuring high-quality service delivery and measurable outcomes.
- Identify and pursue opportunities for sustainability and growth, including regional & federal grants as well as philanthropic partnerships, to expand the Center's statewide impact.
- Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and mission-driven team culture that supports professional excellence and innovation.
- Serve as a member of the Center's Leadership Team, contributing to organizational strategy, annual reporting, policy development, and cross-domain collaboration.

A successful candidate will possess the following skills & qualities:
- Strong working knowledge of early childhood development and the systems that support children and families.
- Proven ability to manage complex, multi-site programs with significant budgets and staff.
- Experience in supervising professional teams with a focus on staff development, professional growth & well-being.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with funders, partners, and community stakeholders.
- A commitment to continuous learning and program improvement, including the use of data-driven evaluation to inform decision-making and enhance outcomes.
- Demonstrated success in securing and managing sustainable funding, including grants and contracts.

This position is ideal for an experienced leader with a passion for early childhood development, systems-level thinking, and advancing equitable, evidence-based programs that support Missouri's youngest children and their families.

Monday - Friday
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Occasional evenings and weekends to accommodate events in the community.

A Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience and at least 6 years of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary.

- Advanced degree in early child education, public administration, or a related field.
- Familiarity with Missouri's early childhood systems, policies, and stakeholders
- Progressively responsible experience in early child programming, systems-level work, or child & family services.
- Demonstrated success in securing and managing federal, state, or philanthropic funding for multi-site programming.
- Experience working with diverse populations & a strong commitment to advancing equity in early childhood systems.
- Proven ability to lead and support high-functioning, professional teams.

Salary Range: $70,000 - $90,000 annually
Grade: GGS - 012
University Title: SR DIR PROGRAM/PROJECT OPS
Internal applicants can determine their university title by accessing the Talent Profile tile in myHR.

In addition to the Online Application, please provide a Cover Letter and Resume.

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, paid time off, short- and long-term disability, paid parental leave, paid caregiver leave, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/benefits.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Director of Accessibility and ADA at 573-884-7278.