Project Manager, ECE - 27231

Position Summary: The Division of Early Childhood Education (DECE) supports the operational and programmatic functions of early childhood education programs for New York City children in elementary schools, Pre-K Centers, and New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) contracted settings including Community Based Organizations (CBOs) and Family Childcare (FCC) programs. DECE provides families with access to high-quality, inclusive early childhood programs for children birth to five in diverse settings, supporting children’s growth and development. By working in partnership with families and programs, DECE ensures that children are engaged, nurtured, and supported.

The Project Manager will serve as a key liaison between New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) and the Mayor's Office of Child Care and Early Childhood Education (OCCECE), supporting strategic initiatives designed to strengthen and expand New York City's early childhood and childcare system. Reporting to the Senior Advisor for Policy and Planning, the Project Manager will coordinate complex cross-agency projects, support policy implementation efforts, manage stakeholder engagement, and drive operational execution of citywide initiatives related to childcare access, workforce development, program quality, and systems infrastructure.

The position requires strong project management, organizational, analytical, and communication skills, with the ability to navigate multiple priorities and collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders across government agencies, community organizations, providers, and external partners. Performs related work.

Reports to: Senior Advisor for Policy and Planning, Mayor's Office of Child Care and Early Childhood Education

Direct Reports: N/A

Key Relationships: DECE Leadership Team, Mayor's Office of Child Care and Early Childhood Education (OCCECE); NYCPS leadership and central offices; other City agencies involved in early childhood service delivery including Administration for Children's Services (ACS), the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), the Department of Social Services (DSS); New York City early childhood education providers of all settings. External partners including community-based organizations and advocacy groups.

Responsibilities Project Management and Strategic Initiatives

• Manage multiple childcare and early childhood education initiatives from planning through implementation, ensuring alignment with citywide priorities and strategic objectives.
• Develop and maintain project plans, implementation timelines, milestones, deliverables, and performance measures.
• Monitor project progress and ensure timely completion of key deliverables across multiple initiatives.
• Identify project risks and challenges and develop mitigation strategies to support successful implementation.
• Coordinate project activities across internal and external stakeholders while maintaining strong communication and accountability mechanisms.
• Support strategic planning efforts and special initiatives designed to strengthen New York City's childcare and early childhood education systems.

Cross-Agency Coordination and Stakeholder Engagement

• Facilitate collaboration among City agencies, including NYCPS, ACS, DOHMH, DSS, and other governmental partners.
• Convene and manage working groups, stakeholder meetings, and cross-functional project teams to advance policy and program objectives.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with childcare providers, community organizations, advocacy groups, and external partners.
• Support public meetings, stakeholder convenings, listening sessions, and project launch activities.
• Serve as a liaison between NYCPS and the Mayor's Office to ensure alignment on priorities, implementation efforts, and communication strategies.

Data Analysis, Policy, and Program Support

• Conduct research, policy analysis, and program reviews to support decision-making and project implementation.
• Analyze quantitative and qualitative data to identify trends, gaps, opportunities, and areas for improvement across the childcare and early childhood landscape.
• Develop recommendations based on research findings and program data.
• Support continuous improvement efforts through monitoring and evaluation of project outcomes and performance metrics.

Communications and Reporting

• Prepare executive briefings, reports, presentations, dashboards, and status updates for senior leadership.
• Develop materials that communicate project progress, key findings, policy recommendations, and implementation strategies.
• Coordinate responses to information requests and support the preparation of public-facing and internal communications.
• Maintain accurate project documentation and reporting tools to track progress and outcomes.

Qualification Requirements Minimum A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and two years of satisfactory, full-time experience related to the projects and policies to be studied in the particular position.

Plus

• Three or more years of experience in project management, preferably in cross-functional or cross-agency environments.

Preferred

• Three or more years experience managing cross-functional or cross-agency initiatives.
• Knowledge of early childhood education, childcare systems, public policy, or government operations.
• Experience working with government agencies, nonprofit organizations, or community-based partners.
• Strong analytical, research, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience utilizing project management tools, dashboards, and performance tracking methodologies.
• Strong facilitation and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Commitment to equity, public service, and improving outcomes for children and families.

Salary : $100,000 - $110,000

(Internal candidates who are selected for this position and who currently hold comparable or less senior positions within the DOE will not earn less than their current salary.)

Please include a resume and cover letter with your application. NOTE: The filling of all positions is subject to budget availability and/or grant funding.

• New York City Residency is NOT Required *

We encourage all applicants from the New York City tri-state area to apply. AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER DOE Non- Discrimination Policy The Department of Education of the City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's actual or perceived sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, or pregnancy. For more information, please refer to the DOE Non-Discrimination Policy.

REQUESTING AN ACCOMMODATION - APPLICANTS Any prospective employee (applicant) who is a qualified individual with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation to assist in the application process. If an applicant for employment believes that they have a qualifying disability and are in need of a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the application process on an equal basis as applicants who do not have a disability, they should request an accommodation with their interview team or contact ODA by emailing [email protected]. The determination of the accommodation request will be communicated to the applicant in writing.

https://infohub.nyced.org/docs/default-source/doe-employees-only/personnel-memorandum-6-2024-2025---accommodations.pdf

Public Service Loan Forgiveness As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education's website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.