Program Manager, MiEarly Apprentice

Michigan Educator Workforce Initiative
- MiEarly Apprentice Program Manager

(Michigan based; remote withregularin-state travel)

Michigan Educator Workforce Initiative (MEWI) is a hub for educator talent. MEWI adopts a “systems‑adjacent” approach, working closely with K‑12 districts and higher education institutions to design and support innovative approaches to recruiting and developing teachers and school leaders. We are committed to hiring a team thatrepresentsthe diversity our state offers.

MEWI is an adaptive organization that plays the roles necessary to foster innovation and long‑term, systematic capacity‑building in theeducatortalent space. Depending on the context and project needs, MEWI acts as a “doer”,funder, supporter, or convener. MEWI designs, implements, funds, and supports innovative programs to recruit, develop,retain, and elevate new and veteran teachers and school leaders. MEWI captures insights and learnings from our work to share with systems leaders, policy makers, parents, and community leaders andconveneseducators to share best practices, collaborate, and problem‑solve.

As MEWI’s first Early Childhood Program Manager, you will play a critical role in the launch of MEWI’s inaugural programs and partnerships in the early childhood landscape. The Program Manager will design and manage systems, tools, and resources to support theprogramlaunch, participant experience, and partner relationships. You will be a champion for our program participants, ensuring the first cohort of participants have a positive experience, reach program outcomes, and areretainedin their roles following program completion.

The ideal candidate for this role:

• Has an entrepreneurial spirit. This person enjoys working in a fast‑paced and ambiguous environment and does not get overwhelmed easily when managing multiple stakeholder relationships.
• Is self‑directed and independent. This person will work independently to build systems from the ground up which requires discipline and focus.
• Has excellent communication skills. This person is skilled at both written and verbal communication and canadaptcommunications for different audiences.
• Is detail‑oriented and a creative problem‑solver. This personanticipateschallenges in advance and provides proactive solutions to complex problems.
• Is a critical and analytical thinker. This person likes to get in the weeds and enjoys analyzing data and translating this data for different stakeholders.
• Has strong project management skills. This person can manage large, cross‑functional projects and programs and is skilled at connecting the dots across functions and teams.
• Is a team player. This person has strong relationship‑building skills and is always willing to jump in and support team members and partners as needed to meet a goal.
• Believes all children deserve to attend great schools andchild care centers. This person understands that our school andchild care systems are fundamentally broken but believes that - through innovation and partnership - they can be places where all children can thrive.

• Bachelor’s degree (or higher) from an accredited college or university
• Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE), Child Development, or a comparable area (preferred)
• 5+ years experience in the early childhood sector as a teacher, center director, and/or program administration
• Experience coaching and developing other ECE teachers towards measurable results
• Experience in program design and curriculum development
• Experience developing, using, and maintaining data collection and management tools and systems
• Experience and comfort conducting meetings andfacilitatingor supporting virtual presentations
• Proficient with software and technology including Zoom,Microsoft and/or Google suite
• (Preferred) Experience with Salesforce
• (Preferred) Experience in teacher preparation and/or higher education serving early childhood teacher candidates
• (Preferred) Has served in an early childhood systems‑level role
• (Preferred) Experience supporting PreK classrooms in both Community‑based organizations and school district settings
• (Preferred) Connections…