Start Early (formerly known as the Ounce) is an energized, future-focused organization devoted to providing quality early learning and care across the country.

Our desire to close the opportunity gap and build more equitable early learning experiences for our youngest learners guides everything we do. We also want to equip our staff with skills to be culturally responsive leaders. As a leader in early learning, we scale our deep expertise across program, policy and research through partnerships across the country.

We are recruiting individuals who want to join us in this mission and share a commitment to our core values of appreciation & respect, empowerment, diversity, excellence, learning and communication.

Become part of our rewarding, mission-driven culture! We want our employees to feel empowered, motivated, energized, and joyful about the work they do!

The Learning Experience Designer will build learning solutions that inclusively engage early learning professionals in job-embedded learning that enables the development of skills to advance quality early learning for families with children, before birth through their earliest years, to close the opportunity gap. This role will contribute directly to Start Early’s workforce-focused strategy to strengthen state and local early childhood systems across the United States.

Reporting to our Vice President of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging (DEIB), you will:

• Gap Analysis: Engage with Start Early leaders, staff, grantee, and to identify key focus for professional development areas that advance Start Early journey in Belonging and Anti-racism.
• Learning and Development Design: Create consistent, welcoming, and interactive learning experiences advised by the inclusion of voices, cultures and languages from a diverse set of professionals to address the deepest challenges faced by historically minoritized communities.
• Content Development: Curate, create and continuously improve learning content using an array of creative approaches, prototypes and technologies that engage learners and support behavior change.
• Learning Analysis: Facilitate discussions with a diverse group of subject matter contributors, learners, and key community members using curiosity and listening that builds collaboration and advises learner-centered design.
• Consultation: Provide consultation and support to Start Early divisions for the creation of quality, engaging, learner-centered learning, using quality standards and diversity, inclusion and equity best practices.
• Innovation: Conduct regular experiments with technological, socio-cultural and pedagogical trends related to learning design and related disciplines to ensure Start Early provides relevant and responsive learning experiences based on unmet or future needs of adult learners.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree required in education or another related field. Master’s degree preferred or equivalent validated experience.
• Minimum of 5 years in related roles designing and developing learning experiences, especially in online/e-learning and hybrid formats, and preferably in an organization focused on national scaling of professional development offerings.
• Extensive knowledge of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belong and Antiracism
• technology platforms (e.g., Learning Management Systems, online collaboration and coaching platforms, live training webinar platforms, etc.).
• Must have a deep commitment, experience, and ability to advance diversity, racial equity, and inclusion into organizational routines and practice.
• Knowledge of International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) accreditation process and related processes required for issuing CET, certifications, and credentials preferred.
• Validated history of establishing and managing relationships with internal & external stakeholders grounded in mutual trust and respect.
• Knowledge of Head Start or other early childhood and educational programs a plus.
• Demonstrated experience, ability and comfort in handling risk and uncertainty to move work forward.
• Fluency in multiple languages preferred.
• Deep commitment to and experience in advancing diversity, racial equity, and inclusion into organizational routines and practice.
• Optimally establish and maintain effective relationships with funders and partners and gain their trust and respect.
• Comfort and experience in handling risk and uncertainty to move work forward.

We recognize that few candidates might meet every single piece of knowledge, experience, or education listed here. Research shows that women and people of color, among many other historically excluded groups, are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. Start Early is dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your qualifications don’t perfectly align with everything in the job description, we still encourage you to apply!

Our generous benefits plan includes:

Comprehensive Health Plans, Commitment to Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, Holistic Wellness Program, Professional Development Program, 401k Contribution, Paid Volunteer Days, 6 months paid parental leave, and much more.

Start Early is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to our core values by creating an inclusive environment for all staff.