Program Developer, Child Care Business Lab

Help strengthen Maine’s child care sector by supporting entrepreneurs who are starting, growing, and sustaining small businesses.

If you are:

• A program developer with experience creating and delivering high-impact content;
• Experienced in small business ownership, business planning, or entrepreneurship support;
• A thoughtful communicator who builds trust with people from diverse backgrounds; and
• Passionate about child care, entrepreneurship, and a more equitable Maine economy;

Then CEI is the place to put your talents and passions to work.

CEI seeks a Program Developer to design and deliver programs that help child care entrepreneurs start, grow, and sustain financially sound businesses. The role combines program development, business advising, partner engagement, and outcome reporting.

This full-time, grant-funded position runs through September 2029 and is based in Brunswick, Maine, with a hybrid schedule.

The ideal candidate has experience working with diverse rural and urban communities, supporting small businesses, and managing multiple high-touch programs at once.

• Design and deliver child care entrepreneurship programs that support business starts, growth, access to capital, and long‑term sustainability.
• Advise child care entrepreneurs on business planning, financial analysis, financing proposals, and problem‑solving in partnership with CEI advisors.
• Build and manage partnerships with sector groups, community organizations, advisors, and child care professionals.
• Track outcomes and strengthen programs by setting milestones, managing risks, capturing lessons, and reporting results to funders.
• Identify funding opportunities and support grant applications with colleagues.

• Bachelor’s degree and at least five years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience developing business plans, running a small business, or supporting entrepreneurs.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to adapt to different audiences and literacy levels.
• Experience managing sensitive matters with diplomacy and tact.
• Experience with adult learning or curriculum development preferred.
• Strong general management knowledge, including business planning, marketing, and finance.

This full-time, exempt, grant-funded role runs through September 2029 and is based at CEI’s headquarters in Brunswick, ME. CEI offers excellent benefits, generous time off, and a salary range of $60,000–$70,000. We work in a flexible hybrid model: three days from home and two days in the office, with Tuesdays as our shared anchor day.