ABOUT ZERO TO THREE

Founded in 1977, ZERO TO THREE works to ensure that babies and toddlers benefit from the early connections that are critical to their well-being and development. Our mission is to ensure that all babies and toddlers have a strong start in life. At ZERO TO THREE, we envision a society with the knowledge and will to support all infants and toddlers in reaching their full potential. Our Core Values Statement: We believe that how we do our work is as important as what we do. To learn more about ZERO TO THREE, please visit our website at zerotothree.org.

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY

ZERO TO THREE is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer committed to inclusive hiring, advancement, and professional development. It is dedicated to diversity in its work, its staff, and community partners. This is an exceptional opportunity for a professional who shares our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and supports our mission to enhance outcomes for all children.

SUMMARY

The Policy Center at ZERO TO THREE, a nonpartisan, research-based resource for policymakers and advocates on the unique developmental needs of infants and toddlers, is seeking a Lead Impact Officer (LIO) to oversee and lead ongoing strategy planning and monitor and manage operationalization to achieve desired outcomes. The LIO will use data and the deep well of PC expertise and lessons learned to ensure that strategy is designed to maximize impact in the field. The LIO is a mission-focused, strategic, and systems- and process-minded leader with experience effectively using data to inform decision-making, and driving complex, cross-functional projects and engagements. The LIO will serve as a thought partner, strategist, and hands-on leader with the CPO, and leaders within the Policy Center and across the organization. This is an exciting opportunity for an innovative leader that is passionate about early childhood systems building work. The LIO reports directly to the Chief Policy Officer (CPO), serves as a member of the Policy Center leadership team, and will oversee the functions of Government Relations, Policy Research, Advocacy, and State Policy.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Cross-Team Strategic Leadership

The LIO serves as an active partner to the CPO and provides comprehensive strategic and tactical support to manage the Policy Center’s work in alignment with its strategic goals and theory of change and with ZERO TO THREE’s mission and goals. The LIO will provide thought leadership and direction and will lead the strategic planning, project management, implementation, and monitoring essential to ensuring ongoing progress, goal achievement, and continuous quality improvement across the Policy Center. The LIO is responsible for ensuring that Policy Center strategy is data-driven, remains fresh, and thoughtfully aligns, integrates, and leverages work across the organization to comprehensively address pressing issues in the field and identify what new opportunities await.

Project Planning and Execution

The LIO is responsible for designing, building, and managing a range of tools, systems, and processes (e.g., internal communication, effective meetings, scheduling, data collection, etc.) to: build a cohesive and collegial Policy Center team; support the collaboration, coordination, and communication needed to mine and elevate ideas and lessons learned; strengthen collective and individual productivity; drive Policy Center effectiveness and efficiency in performing its work and functions; and track key success metrics to maximize impact in the field. The LIO will oversee and lead special projects from design and development through successful execution and completion.

Team Leadership and Supervision

The LIO will possess the experience and knowledge needed to supervise a team of independent-minded colleagues with strong experience and deep subject matter expertise in their respective issue areas. The LIO will provide the level of mentorship, engagement, and support needed to build and retain a proactive team and will leverage the subject matter expertise of team members to inform strategies and issue advancement. The Director will actively engage with team members as a thought partner to assist in addressing challenges and opportunities in their work to allow them to effectively perform and advance strategic goals. The LIO will provide ongoing guidance, feedback, and support to fuel exceptional performance in achieving desired outcomes and goals. The LIO will evaluate team member performance and partner with members to establish annual goals and objectives and identify and provide appropriate professional growth and development opportunities.

Communication and Culture Building

The LIO will establish and maintain productive and collaborative working relationships with leaders across ZERO TO THREE, crossing operational and team silos to unify and strengthen cross-organizational culture and ensure consistency and alignment in policy and process implementation. The LIO will work with organizational counterparts to create standard operating procedures for defined functions and will ensure that the work of the Policy Center remains in full alignment and compliance. The LIO will draft well written pieces and correspondence to ensure clear and consistent communication and advance effective and ongoing communication across the Policy Center and ZERO TO THREE.

Business Acumen

The LIO will work with finance and development team to support budget and contracts and grants management, and the alignment of fiscal planning efforts with strategy. The LIO will work with staff to implement systems for efficiently tracking timely completion of project deliverables and work of subcontractors. The LIO will work with ZERO TO THREE colleagues to conceptualize new funding opportunities, including writing and reviewing proposals, developing budgets, and gathering supporting documentation as required for submission to funders.

The LIO also will perform other duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the Policy Center.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

A minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible experience in leadership and management roles with a proven track record of accomplishment in planning, managing, and leading collaborative efforts, including project or program management, change management, strategic planning and implementation, and executive office operations, including management of people, projects, and budgets.
Strong systems- and process-building skills and experience with the ability to backward map from desired outcomes to effectively plan and manage complex projects, and create and build the tools, systems, and processes needed to facilitate effective collaboration and communication, address and resolve issues, and advance the work.
Data savvy with strong experience using statistical analysis and outcomes to drive decision-making, planning, and ongoing management of projects.
Strong interpersonal skills and track record of building and maintaining respectful collaborative relationships at all levels and across all identities and excellent relational, prioritization, and execution skills with ability to execute - both directly and through others - on a wide range of responsibilities, and able to manage up, across, and down effectively.
Strong management and supervisory skills, including experience providing reflective supervision (see Essential Qualities), with ability to inspire and and motivate seasoned team members and support their growth and development.
Highly resourceful and creative with ability to work collaboratively with colleagues to devise and execute on strategies. Able to work effectively independently and as a member of a team.
Ability to work effectively in culturally diverse environment and understanding of how different forms of oppression operate on interpersonal, institutional, and structural levels.
Quick-learner able to learn new skills and subjects and absorb large amounts of information and distill and advance the highest priority items.
Adaptable and able to work on multiple projects simultaneously, navigate stressful situations, and shift gears to address challenging and changing circumstances with a balanced approach and without losing sight of the details or the big picture.
Excellent communication skills – oral and written – with demonstrated ability to effectively reach different audiences and make complicated/technical information understandable and accessible; proficient at creating compelling and effective presentations.
Performs other duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the policy research agenda.

ESSENTIAL QUALITIES

Encourages and practices critical thinking
Is self-reflective and empathic
Recognizes the influence of workplace relationships on outcomes and results
Maintains a respectful and accepting approach to others
Awareness of the influence of the larger context on individual behavior
Collaboratively and creatively supports the work efforts of colleagues at all levels and in all areas of the organization

EDUCATION

Bachelor’s degree; Advanced degree preferred. Project Management certification a plus.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

This position's salary is estimated to be low $160,000s to high $180,000s depending on experience, geo-location, budget, and other comparable and similarly scoped internal positions. In addition to salary, ZERO TO THREE offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, HRA, retirement contributions, generous leave benefits and more.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

While performing the responsibilities of the job, the employee is frequently required to use finger dexterity and sufficient hand dexterity to use a computer keyboard and be capable of reading a computer screen. Also, they may need to remain seated for extended periods, can perform repetitive motions, and reach for objects. An employee is frequently required to hold a writing instrument, communicate verbally, and hear well enough to detect nuances and receive detailed information. They may be required to grasp objects, push, and pull objects, bend, stand, walk, squat, or kneel. Vision abilities required by this job include close vision for data preparation or analysis, and expansive reading. May need to lift up to 30 pounds.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The work conditions described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing this job. Depending on work location, the incumbent will typically work indoors in a heated and air-conditioned office, with a mixture of natural, incandescent, and fluorescent light with low to moderate noise levels or be subject to working conditions conducive to a home environment. When travel is expected, the incumbent will be exposed to outside environmental conditions during those times.

ZERO TO THREE is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities, Women, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin.

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