Director of Leadership and Education

Position Title: Director of Leadership & Education

Location: 11821 East Freeway, Suite 500, Houston, TX 77029

Employment Type: Full-time, Salary, Exempt

Work Mode: In-Person

Reports to: Chief Impact Officer

Salary Range: $70,000 – $80,000 Annually

Why This Job Matters
East Harris County Empowerment Council (EHCEC) is committed to improving the quality of life in historically underserved communities. The Director of Leadership & Education is a mission-critical leader who shapes the region’s future by building high-quality early childhood systems and equipping local residents to become catalysts for change in their communities.

This role is not simply about delivering programs—it’s about building a community-centered ecosystem where education and leadership are rooted in equity, lived experience, and measurable impact. The person in this role will design and execute scalable, data-informed initiatives that strengthen child care provider capacity, enhance school readiness, and train grassroots leaders to shape the future of East Harris County.

Your mission is clear: Develop leaders. Strengthen education. Empower the community.

What You’ll Be Responsible For

Early Childhood Education Capacity-Building

• Oversee technical assistance and training to at least 15 childcare providers annually to improve quality, instruction, and school readiness outcomes.
• Conduct baseline and follow-up assessments for at least 5 providers within the first 90 days.
• Co-design 2 parent/family engagement initiatives with early childhood providers by Month 3 to support literacy, readiness, and home learning.
• Develop and implement a data dashboard to track provider progress and child outcomes within the first 90 days.

Resident Leadership Development

• Oversee 3 resident leadership academies per year (e.g., Community Health Academy, Community Builders, Advocacy Academy).
• Launch first academy cohort by Day 100, with curriculum, facilitators, and metrics in place.
• Host quarterly workshops and community trainings that reach 150 residents annually.
• Maintain 80% retention rate across all academy cohorts and track alumni outcomes in a leadership database.
• Facilitate 2 civic action or advocacy campaigns annually, driven by resident-identified priorities.

Policy & Advocacy

• Develop and launch community-led campaigns focused on key policy or systems-change topics by Month 12.
• Represent EHCEC in 2 coalitions or regional working groups focused on early childhood, education equity, or resident voice.
• Build training content to help residents understand and influence systems related to health, infrastructure, and public policy.

Strategic Partnerships & Community Engagement

• Conduct 10 introductory meetings with key external stakeholders (child care centers, school partners, civic leaders, funders) within the first 30 days.
• Develop and present a comprehensive Leadership & Education Strategic Plan by Day 60.
• Collaborate with the Development team to secure at least $250,000 in grant or philanthropic support annually for leadership and education programs.
• Host or attend at least 2 public events or forums per quarter to strengthen EHCEC’s visibility and regional presence.

Team Leadership & Development

• Build, coach, and manage a dynamic team aligned to EHCEC’s vision and values.
• Maintain 100% completion of quarterly performance check-ins and provide continuous coaching to all direct reports.
• Identify 2 internal process improvements or innovations that increase team efficiency or program delivery.
• Support professional growth by ensuring each team member completes at least 2 development activities per year.

Who This Job Is For

This role is for someone who:
✅ A systems builder with a passion for equity, early childhood, and leadership development.
✅ Experienced in designing and managing multi-stakeholder programs, especially in education or community engagement.
✅ Skilled in coaching and facilitation, and energized by developing others’ potential.
✅ Comfortable with data, dashboards, and metrics, using them to continuously improve programs.
✅ A collaborative leader who thrives in dynamic, community-driven environments.

This role is not for someone who:
❌ Prefers working alone or without community input.
❌ Struggles with ambiguity or leading through complexity.
❌ Is uncomfortable with public speaking, facilitation, or policy engagement.
❌ Needs high levels of oversight or micromanagement.

What You Bring
✅ Demonstrated experience in leadership development, education programs, or community engagement—with a proven track record of driving measurable impact.
✅ Deep expertise in program management—including designing, implementing, and evaluating leadership and education initiatives.
✅ Strong knowledge of partnership development—with experience collaborating with schools, nonprofits, businesses, and policymakers.
✅ Proven ability to develop and execute high-impact programs that enhance educational access, leadership skills, and community empowerment.
✅ Experience in education policy and advocacy—with a demonstrated ability to influence policy and mobilize community support.
✅ Exceptional communication, coaching, and facilitation skills—with the ability to engage diverse audiences and stakeholders.
✅ Highly analytical with experience measuring program performance and using data to refine strategies and improve outcomes.
✅ Experience leading teams and managing external partners, funders, or consultants to drive successful project execution.

What Success Looks Like

First 30 Days – Learning & Orientation

• Complete onboarding and meet 80–100% of internal and external stakeholders.
• Attend at least 3 mission-aligned community events.
• Conduct program audit and submit reflection on key systems, workflows, and opportunities.
• Submit a learning summary or reflection of key tools, systems, and workflows by Day 30.

First 60 Days – Execution & Contribution

• Present Leadership & Education Strategic Plan and Identify and document at least 2 areas of process improvement or low-lift innovations.
• Design 2 resident leadership academies and identify 10 childcare providers for support.
• Co-create family engagement strategies and finalize the planning calendar.
• Begin collaborating on at least one cross-functional project or working group.

First 90 Days – Ownership & Strategic Impact

• Launch first resident leadership academy cohort.
• Conduct assessments for 5 providers and deliver capacity plans.
• Host one public community training or workshop.
• Launch resident tracking database and internal metrics dashboard.

What We Offer

We know that great work comes from happy, supported employees. That’s why we offer:

• Competitive Salary – We recognize and reward talent.
• Comprehensive Benefits – 100% employer-sponsored medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Generous PTO – 30 days plus 6 health and wellness days of paid time off annually.
• 401(k) Match – We match dollar-for-dollar up to 5%.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – Confidential support for mental health, financial counseling, and personal wellness.
• Employee Snack Bar – Complimentary snacks and refreshments to keep you energized throughout the day.
• Career Advancement Opportunities – Ongoing professional development, mentorship, and leadership training to support your growth.
• True Team Atmosphere – A culture built on collaboration, inclusivity, and shared success.
• Team Culture – Annual retreats, quarterly team-building events, and a commitment to work-life balance.

Physical Conditions:

The staff person must be able to attend meetings on nights and weekends as needed. EHCEC is a collaborative work setting. Employees pitch in to help each other with responsibilities as needed. Team members will be expected to contribute to teamwork and a sense of collaboration.

Disclaimer:

This job description may not be inclusive of all assigned duties, responsibilities, or aspects of the job described, and may be amended at any time at the sole discretion of the employer.

EHCEC provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Salary : $70,000 - $80,000