Director, Office of Child Care & Early Education

About the New York State Executive Chamber

The New York State Executive Chamber works to meet the needs of all New Yorkers by advancing the Governor’s policy initiatives and agenda, as well as overseeing government operations. We coordinate with state agencies, federal and local governments, and community stakeholders to address issues and develop strategies to serve the people of New York State. Career opportunities range from policy, legal counsel, legislative affairs, communications, operations, appointments, and more. Working in the Executive Chamber is an exciting opportunity to help shape the future of New York and make a significant difference in the lives of millions of New Yorkers. Employees can feel proud of being a part of something bigger and ultimately making changes for the better as part of that work.

About the Position

In her State of the State address, Governor Kathy Hochul announced New York State’s commitment to provide universal child care across the state, and the creation of the Office of Child Care and Early Education to drive and oversee that commitment. This office will ensure that the State is working across agencies to develop and implement plans to grow high-quality early education and care through a variety of approaches; working with localities, providers and families to ensure policies and programs are working together to expand access to high-quality care; and using data to evaluate, improve and expand the delivery of child care and early education in New York state.

New York State already has an expansive child care and early education landscape, including a series of new commitments underway this year. New York’s investments include billions of dollars in funding for the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP); universal Pre-K and 3-K programs, along with a new 2-Care program in New York City; and pilot universal care programs in other communities across the state.

The Executive Director of the Office of Child Care and Early Education will be responsible for building, operationalizing and leading the office, including developing its structure, staffing model, and operating procedures, recruiting and managing the office’s staff, and identifying any vendor resources required. The Executive Director will lead efforts to work across agencies and with external stakeholders to improve the quality of and access to child care and early education in New York state, and ongoing evaluation of those efforts.

This position is 100% onsite at our office in either Albany, NY or New York City, NY.

Duties

Leadership and Management:

• Establishing the strategic vision, priorities and day-to-day leadership for the Office, ensuring alignment with the Governor’s vision to expand high-quality child care and early education
• Building and shaping the office from inception, including hiring staff and creating a nimble, collaborative model that works with agencies (including the Office of Children and Family Services, the State Education Department, and the Council on Children and Families) to expand services
• Fostering a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and accountability in team operations

Implementation of the Vision for New York Children and Families

• Refining the state’s plan to provide universal child care, including policy, funding and program recommendations, utilizing a variety of policy approaches that fit the needs of different communities, providers and families.
• With key Chamber partners and agencies, creating and implementing a multi-year plan to accomplish this work, establishing specific goals and metrics against this plan, and tracking progress to achieve those goals
• With key Chamber partners and agencies to more strategically coordinate child care and early education programs and services at the state and local level, in partnership with localities
• Working closely with local governmental entities – including counties/local social service agencies, school districts, cities such as NYC — with responsibility for child care and early education on implementation of universal child care, including identifying and addressing barriers to access and quality
• Developing structured, ongoing systems to engage external stakeholders in the Office’s work, including families, providers, business and employers, and local communities
• Delivering on the Governor’s cross-cutting priority working with key agencies and external partners to review regulations, policy and practices to ensure all are facilitating – not prohibiting – the expansion of access to high-quality child care and early education
• Working with agencies and external partners to evaluate current and future child care and early education programs, and inform continuous improvement
• Collaborate on legislative and spending proposals for consideration as part of the Governor’s annual State of the State agenda, shepherding development of policy reforms, and preparing briefing materials for the Governor and senior team.
• Collaborate with other Executive Chamber and state agency teams, as needed, to deliver on the Governor’s goals related to child care and early childhood education.

Knowledge & Skills

• Proven ability to navigate sensitive political and stakeholder environments.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Highly organized, with exceptional project management skills.
• Broad familiarity with New York State, another state, or a locality’s child care and early education ecosystem.

Minimum Qualifications

A Bachelor’s degree and at least 10 years of full-time relevant professional experience, with a focus on public administration, public policy, education policy, social services, or related topics, is required. Demonstrable interest and knowledge in child care and/or early education is also required.

Employment with the New York State Executive Chamber is contingent upon the successful completion of a comprehensive background investigation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing and implementing policy and programs, including management experience.
• Demonstrated expertise in child care and/or early education.

Pay & Benefits

Salary: $185,000-$200,000

The NYS Executive Chamber offers a comprehensive benefits package, including generous annual leave with additional personal and sick time, paid holidays, NYS pension plan, affordable health insurance options such as The Empire Plan and several regional HMO options, no-cost Dental and Vision Care insurance, optional Life Insurance up to $500,000 or 5x salary, Flex Spending Account, Deferred Compensation Plan, Employee Assistance Program, and Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).

Application Deadline

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

How to Apply

Applicants should use the LinkedIn Apply button to send in their résumé for consideration.

Agency Contact Information

The NYS Executive Chamber hiring team can be reached via email: recruitment@exec.ny.gov.

For reasonable and religious accommodations during the hiring process, please send your request to EmployeeRelations@exec.ny.gov.

Equal Opportunity Statement

NYS Executive Chamber is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage women, people of color, LGBTQ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic groups, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply. We celebrate diversity and do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, age, veteran status, disability status, arrest record or criminal conviction history, or any other category protected by law.