Early Learning and Family Success Specialist

Position Title: Early Learning and Family Success Specialist

Organization: Butler County United Way 

Job Status:  Full-time, Exempt Position

Position Summary

The Early Learning and Family Success Specialist leads Butler County United Way’s efforts to ensure children enter school ready to succeed while strengthening family stability. This role advances strategies that support early childhood education, caregiver engagement, and access to resources for ALICE households.

A key priority of this position is the relaunch and long-term sustainability of Success by Six across Butler County, aligning partners, resources, and outcomes to create a unified, countywide early learning strategy.

This position serves as a convener, collaborator, and advocate—working across school systems, childcare providers, nonprofit partners, and public agencies to drive improvements in kindergarten readiness and long-term success.

Location:  Butler County, Ohio, specifically, Hamilton, Ohio.

Reports to: President and CEO

Key Responsibilities

Strategy and Initiative Leadership

• Lead the development and execution of early childhood and kindergarten readiness strategies aligned with Butler County United Way’s Community Impact agenda 
• Design, relaunch, and manage the Success by Six initiative across Butler County, ensuring alignment with community needs and best practices
• Integrate early learning efforts with financial stability initiatives serving ALICE families (2Gen approach) 
• Identify gaps in services and develop solutions that improve access to high-quality early learning 

Community Collaboration and Collective Impact

• Convene and facilitate cross-sector partnerships including school districts, childcare providers, family resource centers, and nonprofit agencies 
• Build and lead a countywide coalition to support the goals and implementation of Success by Six programming
• Strengthen alignment among early childhood initiatives to maximize community impact 
• Represent Butler County United Way in local and regional early childhood coalitions 

Program Oversight and Capacity Building

• Support and monitor funded partners delivering early childhood education and family support programs 
• Align partner activities with the goals and metrics of Success by Six
• Provide technical assistance and capacity-building support to partner agencies 

Data, Outcomes and Reporting

• Establish and track key metrics tied to Success by Six, including kindergarten readiness, third grade reading benchmarks, and access to quality childcare 
• Use data to drive decision-making, improve programs, and communicate impact 
• Develop reports, dashboards, and success stories for stakeholders, funders and the community.

Family Engagement and Outreach

• Expand caregiver education and engagement opportunities that promote early learning at home 
• Increase awareness and participation in Success by Six, especially among underserved populations 
• Support initiatives that reduce barriers such as cost, transportation, and access.

Advocacy and Systems Change

• Champion policies and practices that improve access to affordable, high-quality early childhood education 
• Position Success by Six as a backbone strategy for early learning across Butler County
• Stay informed on Ohio early learning standards, funding streams, and legislative changes 
• Collaborate with public and private partners to influence systems-level changes 

Resource Development

• Support grant writing, funding proposals, and reporting tied to Success by Six
• Help identify and secure new funding opportunities to sustain and scale the initiative 

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, education, social work, public administration, or related field (Master’s preferred) 
• 3–5 years of experience in early childhood, education systems, or community-based program management 
• Experience leading or relaunching community initiatives or coalitions strongly preferred 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong understanding of early childhood development, kindergarten readiness, and family engagement strategies 
• Familiarity with ALICE population challenges and two-generation (2Gen) approaches 
• Experience with collective impact or systems-building initiatives preferred 
• Ability to interpret data and translate into actionable strategies 
• Excellent facilitation, communication, and relationship-building skills, including public speaking
• Strong organizational and project management abilities 

Work Environment and Compensation:

• The Early Learning and Family Success Specialist will work primarily within Butler County, Ohio, with flexibility for some remote work. Office will be located in Hamilton, Ohio.
• Occasional evening or weekend meetings may be required to accommodate community engagement activities.
• Physical demands: Sitting or standing for extended period of time, bending, occasional lifting, regular moving throughout the building.
• Salary: Approximately $50,000-55,000 annually plus full benefits, commensurate with experience.

Application Process: Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to Pamela R. Cottle at pcottle@bc-unitedway.org. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Why Join Butler County United Way?

At Butler County United Way, we are committed to creating lasting change by addressing the building blocks of a strong community: Youth Opportunity, Financial Security, Healthy Communities, and Community Resiliency. This role is critical to ensuring that Success by Six is successfully relaunched and sustained as a countywide framework for early childhood success. By aligning partners, resources, and measurable outcomes, this position will help ensure that every child in Butler County has a strong start and every family has the support needed to thrive.