ECE Technology Ecosystem Director

Early Child Care and Education (ECE) is one of the last sectors in the US economy to benefit from a technology transformation, and while the need for change is significant and multi-faceted, the opportunity for innovation and growth is great. Opportunities Exchange has been focused on transforming the business of ECE and is keenly aware of the role improved technology can play in scaling success. We recognize the need for truly neutral, vendor-agnostic information on technology solutions, and OppEx has worked to provide technology information and support. Increasingly, this means building capacity among ECE providers to effectively use Child Care Management Software, crafting strategies to collect and share data across a range of public and private entities, and finding new technology solutions that meet the needs of businesses, governments, funders, and other key stakeholders. Our vision for an effective ECE Technology Ecosystem requires engagement all levels. 

To realize this vision OppEx seeks a team member to provide technical expertise, strategic guidance and manage growth—acting as a liaison and advocate, working with partners to understand business needs and identify and architect technical and systems solutions. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced technology or IT professional— specifically software engineer, developer, or system architect, with a passion for making a difference. Experience working collaboratively with diverse audiences will be critical in defining integrated technology solutions for the ECE sector. 

The ideal candidate can confidently bridge the communication gap between technical experts and non-technical professionals while focusing on the big picture. They can conceptualize and articulate the value of transforming the ECE sector through technology, including the benefits of real time data and modernization of legacy systems. The ability to plan, investigate, learn quickly, and pivot along the way will be critical to achieving success in this role. The ideal candidate enjoys imagining and helping to create a more robust and efficient early childhood sector through the intelligent and targeted use of technology. They enjoy delivering new information to a diverse pool of people and organizations who represent a wide range of technology experience and capacity.

The ECE Technology Ecosystem Director will work with partners and stakeholders to conceptualize, plan, and integrate technology solutions and system architectures that meet the needs of ECE service providers, industry intermediaries and government agencies. The major focus areas of this position will include:

1. Consulting with software vendors (including engineers), state and local government staff (including IT professionals), and partner agencies to gather and understand challenges, requirements, and barriers that could be addressed with effective technology solutions; these internal and external stakeholders have a wide range of technology expertise.

2. Building and fostering cross-sector partner relationships, assessing needs, crafting and presenting potential solutions.

3. Improving technology services and resources by building relationships with vendors to better inform and meet both provider and state technology needs: helping these clients and partners vet, acquire, plan, and utilize technology products to address industry challenges.

4. Managing multiple projects and workflows; keeping team and partners informed and offering expertise and best practice sharing as needed. 

5. Leading and contributing to content development and information resources that support wide-spread use of integrated technology for the sector.

Responsibilities

Project Management 

• Help craft project plans, goals, outcomes and metrics.
• Scope, understand, and analyze business requirements and data needs for client projects.
• Identify technologies that align with client business and data requirements.
• Provide information on a range of potential technology tools, systems and vendors (e.g., software, platforms, products.)

Stakeholder Engagement and Partnership Building

• Serve as a liaison between customers, technical teams, and internal staff, with the ability to troubleshoot and interface with diverse audiences. 
• Advance OppEx’s vision for the ECE Technology Ecosystem, through a variety of mediums, to help build engagement and capacity for change. 
• Communicate with and foster positive purposeful relationships with external stakeholders, vendors, funders, and partners to ensure growth and sustainability. 
• Build working rapport with diverse stakeholders to understand business requirements and perspectives; translate business processes, data flow, application functions into best technology.

Creative, Solution-Focused Problem Solving 

• Approach tasks with curiosity and expertise aimed at uncovering “how it could be done,” with the goal of finding creative solutions that integrate technology into unique client IT settings. 
• Gather information from various sources to craft and interpret patterns and trends.
• Collaborate with the leadership team to craft and share ideas that maximize the potential of technology; utilize feedback and data to drive enhancements and growth. 
• Collaborate closely with and learn from internal team and partners.

Committed Advocate for the ECE Sector

• Focused on strengthening the field as a whole, with special emphasis on the end user. 
• Willing to develop and maintain an in-depth understanding of processes, deliverables and needs of stakeholders and partners, including subject matter expertise in business systems processes and tools. 
• Able to envision a future state and what changes are needed for sustainability.