Vice President of Early Learning and Program Strategy

About Think Small

Since 1971, Think Small has been dedicated to raising the standard of care for Minnesota's children. Founded in Saint Paul by community volunteers concerned about the lack of accessible early childhood care and education, Think Small has grown into a full-service agency supporting families and early childhood professionals. Our mission is to advance quality care and education of children in their early years to ensure school success. Think Small offers professional development, consultation, technical assistance, parent education, and childcare referral services in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area and beyond. Redleaf Press, our publishing division, is a recognized leader in early childhood education resources.

Summary / Purpose

The Vice President of Early Childhood Programs serves as a strategic leader, guiding the vision and direction of early childhood initiatives. This role is responsible for shaping and executing long-term strategies that are deeply integrated into the organization's culture, policies, and operational practices. The position also provides executive oversight for the Early Learning teams, ensuring alignment with program goals and driving measurable outcomes.
 

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

1. Programmatic Leadership

• Lead implementation of government and partner contract areas (Quality Supports, PD, Training, Capacity Building, Outreach) aligns with the strategic execution of early childhood initiatives and oversight of Early Learning teams.
• Lead strategic oversight of Family Financial Services supports the empowerment of families and access to quality early learning—core to the organization's mission and measurable outcomes.

2. Organizational Strategy and Oversight

• Lead strategic direction and operational success of Think Small Institute (TSI) and Redleaf Press (RLP) ensures mission alignment and financial health, reinforcing the VP's role in shaping long-term strategies.
• Serve as a key member of the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) contributes to organization-wide strategy, culture, and cross-departmental alignment, as emphasized in the summary.

3. Financial Stewardship

• Support team development and monitor program budgets ensures responsible resource management and sustainability—critical to operational practices.
• Partner with Finance and the President & CEO for budget forecasts and grant tracking reinforces executive-level accountability and strategic planning.

4. External Engagement and Compliance

• Cultivate relationships with external partners supports benchmarking and resource acquisition, which are essential for strategic growth.
• Ensure organizational compliance aligns with operational integrity and adherence to standards.

5. People Management and Reporting

• Supervise and develop direct reports ensures leadership continuity and team effectiveness.
• Prepare reports and represent Think Small supports transparency and stakeholder engagement.
• Perform other duties as assigned allows flexibility for evolving strategic needs.

Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree
• Early childhood education, Family Science, or related field preferred.

Experience:

• Demonstrated experience leading innovative, strategic, and systems-level initiatives.
• Proven ability to develop and manage complex program budgets across multiple funding streams.
• Proven ability to align programs and partnerships for large-scale community or organizational impact.
• Experience supervising and supporting diverse teams.
• Experience in early childhood is strongly preferred, such as experience with best practices, relationship-based early childhood consultation, and quality improvement projects.

Skills & Knowledge:

• Strong facilitation, training, and consensus-building skills.
• Demonstrated ability to resolve complex and sensitive issues with sound judgment.
• Excellent planning, organizational, and resource management skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel).
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills across diverse stakeholders.

Physical & Work Environment Requirements

• Position requires frequent travel throughout the metro area; a valid driver's license, reliable personal vehicle, and proof of insurance are required.
• Occasional lifting of up to 20 pounds.
• Frequent keyboarding, computer use, and communication via phone, email, and in person.
• This position is moderately active, requiring mobility and the ability to attend offsite meetings.

Reasonable Accommodation Statement

Think Small will make reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position, consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Minnesota Human Rights Act.

At-Will Employment Disclaimer

Employment with Think Small is on an at-will basis. This means either the employee or the organization may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause or notice, unless otherwise provided by a written employment contract signed by both parties.

Think Small is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and supported. We do not discriminate based on race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, familial status, age, disability, status regarding public assistance, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.