The Strategic Consultant for Early Childhood Education (ECE) will serve as a senior member of Social Impact Partner's (SIP) early childhood team, working in close partnership with the Director of Early Childhood Education to strengthen the state’s early childhood system. This one-year, full-time, grant-funded position will partner closely with the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC) to advance key systems-building priorities — with a focus on improving how the state’s early childhood funding and subsidy systems work for families, providers, and the agency. While the position is currently funded for one year and employment with SIP at all times remains at-will, there may be potential for extension or transition to a longer-term role.

The Strategic Consultant will play a hands-on role in driving complex projects forward, quickly testing and refining solutions, and ensuring that policy design translates into practical, equitable, and effective implementation. This position requires a highly action-oriented, collaborative, systems-minded professional who can turn strategy into clear workplans, monitor progress, and rapidly iterate with partners as needs evolve.

Reports to: Director of Early Childhood Education

A Pivotal Moment

Connecticut is at a once-in-a-generation turning point for early childhood education. With a historic Early Childhood Education Endowment and a bold plan to create 16,000 new affordable, high-quality child care spaces by 2030, the state is setting a national standard for equitable early learning. Social Impact Partners (SIP) has been at the heart of this movement—partnering with the OEC since 2020, taking a lead role with the Blue Ribbon Panel that shaped the state's ECE strategy and secured public investment, and helping launch Child Care for CT to elevate parent and provider voices. We also partner directly with exemplary local ECE centers such as Friends Center for Children and Maritime Odyssey Preschool to strengthen leadership and operations, expand capacity, and ensure statewide policy reflects real community insight. For a mission-driven candidate who wants to make a tangible impact, this is a pivotal moment—and SIP is the place where your skills and passion can help shape the future of early childhood education for an entire state.

About Social Impact Partners

Social Impact Partners (SIP) is a nonprofit working to close the opportunity divide and increase economic mobility across Connecticut. We collaborate with leaders in government, business, education, and the nonprofit sector to advance equitable education and workforce systems and practices that shape opportunity – from early learning through meaningful employment.

SIP works at the local level where services are actually delivered, and at the statewide level where strategy, policy, and funding decisions shape long-term impact. We develop and implement strategies, strengthen organizational capacity, align efforts and catalyze high-impact initiatives. Together with our partners, we are expanding access to high-quality early care and education, aligning public higher education with career pathways and modernizing workforce development to ensure that every resident has access to living wage careers.

By combining skilled volunteers with professional staff, we can accelerate progress cost-effectively, always focused on action, collaboration and measurable results. We partner with trust and humility – listening deeply learning continuously, and honoring the experience and expertise of others.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Implementation and Systems Support

Partner with SIP’s Director of ECE and OEC leadership to strengthen the systems that connect families, providers, and state programs.
Support the design and implementation of improvements to the state’s child care funding and subsidy systems, helping to ensure they are coherent, equitable, and responsive to community needs.
Translate strategic goals into clear, actionable implementation plans with milestones and ownership.
Lead day-to-day project management for priority initiatives, including timelines, workflow, and cross-team collaboration.
Identify issues early, test solutions quickly, and adjust based on feedback from families, providers, and agency leadership and staff.

Capacity Building and Collaboration

Support effective project management, communication, and decision-making practices.
Build and maintain trusted relationships with OEC staff, local partners, and external consultants to advance coordinated implementation.
Represent SIP in meetings, cross-agency workgroups, and stakeholder convenings, ensuring alignment and follow-through.

Data and Planning

Use qualitative and quantitative insights to inform planning and assess progress toward system goals.
Synthesize data into clear, actionable recommendations that enable rapid learning and continuous improvement.
Support documentation of learnings and best practices to inform ongoing improvement.

Organizational Learning and Partnership

Contribute to SIP’s broader systems change work by identifying scalable lessons and opportunities for impact.
Collaborate with the SIP team to share insights, strengthen alignment, and advance the organization’s mission across sectors.

Qualifications

4–7 years of experience in government, public policy, or public sector consulting.
Demonstrated success managing complex, multi-stakeholder projects, including creating workplans, managing deadlines, and driving ideas from concept to implementation.
Ability to work in short cycles of planning, testing, and iteration to move work forward efficiently.
Excellent communication, facilitation, and analytical skills.
Commitment to equity and inclusion, and to ensuring that all children and families have access to high-quality early learning opportunities.
Experience in early childhood systems or education program implementation preferred.
Experience working in or alongside community-based organizations preferred.
Strong understanding of early childhood systems, funding models, and cross-sector collaboration preferred.

Work Location and Requirements

This is a hybrid position based in Connecticut. The Strategic Consultant will work 1–2 days per week at the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC)'s office in Hartford and 1–2 days per week at SIP’s office in Westport, with flexibility for remote work on other days. This position requires periodic travel throughout Connecticut for meetings, events, and conferences.

Physical Requirements

The employee is regularly required to communicate clearly, in oral and written formats, with others in-person, via video conferencing, over the phone, and via other devices. The employee must be able to transcribe, read extensively, prepare and analyze data, and constantly operate a computer and other standard office machinery. The employee must be able to travel extensively throughout the state.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter through the Workable online portal. Applications submitted through any other channel(s) will not be considered. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

Social Impact Partners is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment. We are an equal opportunity employer and committed to sound EEO practices in all professional activities and employment practices. We comply with the Connecticut Fair Employment Practices Act, and all other applicable federal, state and local laws. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds. We prohibit discrimination, including harassment, against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, color, creed, age, sex, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, marital status, military status, disability, or any other protected category.

SIP offers a fun and supportive hybrid work environment and competitive salary, health, dental, vision and life insurance benefits, a tech stipend, participation in a 401K retirement savings plan with employer matching, and paid holidays and time off. You’ll work with a dynamic and collegial team of change makers with a bias for continuous learning, and 200+ skilled volunteer and cross-sector partners.

This is a full-time, one-year position with a salary range of $110,000-$125,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications. The position is grant-funded for one year, with potential for extension or transition to a longer-term role.

Employment with SIP is on an at-will basis. This means that either employee or SIP may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause or notice, subject to applicable law. Nothing in this job posting or any other communication should be interpreted as a guarantee of employment for any specific duration.

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