RES SCTST

In collaboration with the Lastinger Center Director, the Director of Early Learning and Literacy will direct and execute a vision for the Center’s early learning and literacy portfolio, including the development and implementation of evidence-based, technology-enhanced professional development for early childhood and literacy educators and leaders. The Director of Early Learning and Literacy will develop strategic partnerships at the state and national level and cultivate public and private funding opportunities to support the Center’s early learning and literacy portfolio. The work of the Director of Early Learning and Literacy will support and align with the core mission of the Center. The Director will offer key subject matter expertise and serve as the executive sponsor on early learning and literacy contracts and grants, managing the implementation of early learning and literacy projects as well as the research and evaluation agendas in these areas. The Director will also consult and coordinate with business administration, project management, product management, data management, content development, external affairs, and communications and marketing functions across the Center to execute these projects.  The position will also coordinate closely with the Assistant Center Director, the Director of Mathematics, and the Director of State Initiatives to manage the Center’s overall research agenda and align on the Center’s relationships with external partners. The position will serve as a member of the executive team at the Center, will report and provide advisement to the Director, and support decision making around the strategy, tactics, and operations of the Center. This will be a 12-month, non-tenure track faculty appointment.

The University of Florida Lastinger Center for Learning’s mission is to improve the quality of teaching, learning, and childcare. We research, develop, and scale educational innovations for adults and children that put all learners on trajectories for lifelong success. Specifically, the Center targets kindergarten readiness, 3rd grade reading proficiency, and algebra proficiency as critical milestones in children's educational trajectory that are predictive of success in school and life. The Center works at the nexus of research, practice, and policy to develop sustainable systems that leverage educational technologies and improve the implementation of research-based practices. Housed in one of the nation's elite public research universities, the Center operates as a dynamic, entrepreneurial workplace focused on executing UF's service mission to strengthen the human condition and improve the quality of life. The Lastinger Center is committed to attracting, hiring, and retaining top talent by valuing diversity of thought, skill, and experience. As an equal opportunity employer, we believe in fostering environments where team members feel included, valued for their differences, and empowered to do their best work.  

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Works in consultation with the Center Director, Assistant Center Director, and Advisory Board to develop and manage the early learning and literacy strategy and portfolio for the organization.
• Serves as a subject-matter expert in early learning and literacy, supporting the development, management, and implementation of the Center’s early learning and literacy initiatives and projects.
• Articulates and executes the Center’s research and evaluation agenda for early learning and literacy with clear goals and timelines, in coordination with other members of the executive team
• Provides leadership on the Center’s early learning and literacy product roadmap and policy agenda, maintaining productive, positive relationships with key stakeholders as well as state and national experts who serve as resources. Through these relationships, advances system development initiatives and public policy that improve teaching and learning outcomes. Coordinates these external relationships with other members of the executive team to ensure consistency across their interactions with the Center.
• Cultivates private fundraising opportunities to develop early learning and literacy products and programs as well as public investment to scale and sustain their implementation.
• Engages external business and industry experts to learn and influence business strategies, remaining alert and forward-thinking about opportunities and risks.
• Builds new partnerships to expand awareness, increase engagement and support for the Center’s initiatives.
• Cultivates and maintains relationships among key stakeholders, government, and philanthropy to maintain awareness of emerging needs and interests
• Represents the Center on relevant committees and task forces, as well as at speaking engagements, conference panels and trainings.
• Facilitates the execution of the early learning and literacy strategy by working collaboratively with other executive team members and ensuring that the early learning and literacy strategy is communicated and easily understood by all throughout the organization. Ensures that strategic actions are completed at all levels of the Center to achieve desired results.
• Ensures that appropriate metrics are in place to measure performance across all projects and progress toward early learning and literacy strategic goals both internally and externally.
• Manages working relationships with the Center’s early learning and literacy partners and staff to deliver high quality services that are on budget and on deadline.
• Implement and maintain high standards of quality control.  These responsibilities include recruiting, performing employee reviews, overseeing team interactions, and focusing promotion effort to maintain the highest quality.  Ensuring the morale of staff remains high and personnel remain motivated to achieve goals and objectives of the Center is of great importance.
• Responsible for ensuring that all programs and activities comply with university, state, and federal regulations.
• Responsible for maintaining a working environment that is free from discrimination and harassment.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Center Director or other appropriate administrator.

Salary is negotiable, competitive, and commensurate with qualifications and experience.

• Ph.D. in early childhood education, literacy, child development, developmental psychology, or related field with executive leadership experience.
• A minimum of 10 years of experience in early learning quality and early learning systems development, strategic planning, and management.

• Expertise in early childhood and/or literacy education, including knowledge of research and evidence-based practices as well as a background in professional development with experience in technology enabled and blended learning for adult learners.
• Experience contracting public state and local level clients and fundraising with private partners to support professional development initiatives.
• Experience fundraising from private foundations and individuals to support the development and implementation of early learning and literacy products and programs
• Seasoned professional, with strong management background and strong strategy orientation, who has previously held several operational roles in complex environments.
• Proven track record with strategy, planning, development, and execution.
• Ability to translate and communicate complex topics in a variety of forums, tailoring communications to effectively fit and influence the targeted audience; strong executive presence, presentation and communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with key internal and external leaders, partners, and stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently as well as in a team structure; ability to manage multiple tasks and be flexible.
• Ability to execute immediate plans, be agile in making strategically aligned decisions, and plan for long-term sustainability. 



• Experience as an early childhood practitioner, reading teacher, or direct service provider.
• Location in Gainesville, Florida

Applicant should upload all materials to the University of Florida’s employment website https://jobs.ufl.edu.  If you need any technical assistance, please contact Human Resources at 352-392-2477. Please provide: (1) a letter of application addressing qualifications, (2) a curriculum vitae, and (3) email addresses and phone numbers from three colleagues who will be contacted to provide references. Applicants should reference requisition 535221. Inquiries about the position can be addressed to Search Chair, Dr. Phil Poekert, at poekert@ufl.edu. Review of candidates will begin April 14, 2025 and continue until the position is filled. Applications received after this date will be reviewed at the discretion of the search committee.

Selected candidate will be required to provide an official transcript to the hiring department upon hire. A transcript will not be considered “official” if a designation of “Issued to Student” is visible. Degrees earned from an educational institution outside of the United States are required to be evaluated by a professional credentialing service provider approved by National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).

If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please call 352-392-2477 or the Florida Relay System at 800-955-8771 (TDD). Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the US. Searches are conducted in accordance with Florida's Sunshine Law.

Application must be submitted by 11:55 p.m. (ET) of the posting end date.