Director of the Center for Early Relational Health

POSITION SUMMARYThe Director of the Center for Early Relational Health (CERH) provides strategic, programmatic, and operational leadership to advance early relational health across Akin and throughout statewide partner networks. The Director leads efforts to strengthen a highly skilled, relationship-centered early childhood workforce by developing and delivering evidence-informed training, consultation, and practice supports.The Director is responsible for driving program excellence, cultivating partnerships, ensuring alignment with Akin’s mission and equity commitments, and contributing to long-term financial sustainability through strategic initiatives, earned revenue, and philanthropic engagement.ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:Strategic Leadership & VisionDevelop and execute a multi-year strategic plan that strengthens CERH’s role as a leader in early relational health workforce development.Position CERH as a state and national resource for training, consultation, and practice transformation.Ensure alignment of CERH initiatives with Akin’s mission, strategic priorities, and equity commitments.Workforce Development & Capacity BuildingLead the design, implementation, and evaluation of early relational health training, certification, and technical assistance programs.Build partnerships with universities, professional associations, and state agencies to support workforce pipeline development.Oversee curriculum development, coaching frameworks, and practice guidelines.Business & Financial SustainabilitySupport financial planning and revenue generation efforts for CERH, including fee-for-service models, grants, and strategic partnerships.Collaborate with Akin leadership to advance a sustainable funding model for CERH’s long-term growth.Contribute to budgeting, financial monitoring, and tracking of revenue-generating activities.Research, Data, & Impact EvaluationCollaborate with the Data & Impact team and academic partners to advance a research agenda that supports early relational health innovation.Ensure that CERH offerings are evidence-informed, measurable, and responsive to community needs.Disseminate learning through reports, presentations, and professional publications.Partnerships, Initiatives, & AdvocacyCultivate relationships with policymakers, funders, community partners, and advocacy coalitions to promote early relational health.Work closely with the VP of Child and Family Programs and cross-departmental leaders to strengthen system-level alignment.Represent CERH and Akin in local, statewide, and national forums as a subject-matter expert and ambassador.Ecosystem-Level InitiativesProvide leadership and oversight for ecosystem-level projects that strengthen early relational health across communities, systems, and cross-sector networks.Coordinate multi-agency initiatives designed to improve early relational health outcomes at the population level.Develop tools, frameworks, and shared learning efforts that support systems transformation.Monitor progress toward ecosystem goals and ensure alignment with statewide and national early relational health movements.Organizational Leadership & Team DevelopmentRecruit, develop, and supervise CERH staff, trainers, and consultants.Foster a collaborative, inclusive, equity-driven organizational culture that centers family voice, cultural humility, and lived experience.Ensure excellence and compliance across all CERH operations, programs, and services.Excellent communication skills (verbal, listening, written and presentation)Ability to effectively lead a direct team as well as indirect stakeholders.Ability to manage confidential and sensitive information in a professional and ethical mannerStrong business acumen and problem-solving skills.Demonstrated ability to build rapport, develop trust and credibility with peers, direct team and across the organization. Thorough understanding of management and financial practices in all areas and phases of business operations.Proficiency with MS Office SuiteProven leadership in advancing accessibility, inclusion, and belonging across complex organizations or systems, particularly in supervision, accountability, and strategic planningDeep understanding of legal, regulatory, and cultural dimensions of accessibility, nondiscrimination, and inclusion, with a demonstrated capacity to center equity while navigating compliance frameworks (including Title VI and related mandates)WORKING ENVIRONMENT:This job is performed in a professional office environment. The following list is representative of the work environment employees encounter while performing the essential functions of this job:Moderate noise (i.e., business office with computers, printers, phones)Typical office lighting and temperaturesModerate interruptionsAbility to work in a confined areaAbility to sit at a computer for an extended periodLimited travel to other site locations within the stateHYBRID WORK ARRANGEMENTS:Hybrid work is a benefit of Akin’s flexible workplace but cannot be offered for all positions. Some positions require daily presence in the office. Hybrid work arrangements may be adjusted or rescinded based upon business needs.MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:Advanced degree in early childhood education, mental health, public health, or a related field.Minimum of 7–10 years of experience in early childhood systems, workforce development, relational health, or related fields.Demonstrated expertise in early relational health, infant and early childhood mental health, or related practice areas.Experience cultivating partnerships, leading cross-sector initiatives, and advancing policy or system reforms.Strong organizational leadership, communication, and project management skills.SALARY RANGE AND BENEFITS:We provide a comprehensive benefits package, including competitive pay, medical, dental and retirement benefits and paid time off. As required by various pay transparency laws, we share a competitive range of compensation for candidates hired into each position.The target starting pay for this position is $88,712 - $110,906 typically within the first half of the range. Actual offers will be based on individual qualifications relevant to the role and will not take an applicant’s pay history into account.The range above allows our employees room for growth during their tenure in the position.

Salary : $88,712 - $110,906