Fast Facts

The Project Director will lead initiatives to boost family and community engagement in early childhood education, whilst managing relationships with partners and overseeing project implementation in North Carolina.

Responsibilities: Key responsibilities include overseeing project execution, managing budgets, ensuring compliance, and serving as the primary liaison with various stakeholders and partners.

Skills: Candidates should possess strong leadership, organizational, and project management skills, along with expertise in budget management and strategic collaboration.

Qualifications: A Bachelor’s degree in Education, Public Administration, or a related field is required; a Master’s degree is preferred along with 5+ years of relevant experience.

Location: This position is remote based in North Carolina with up to 20% travel required.

Compensation: $105000 / Annually

Are you a socially conscious, dedicated individual who is committed to building a better future for children, families, and their communities? If so, join us as we support early childhood education programs across the country to create positive outcomes for the children and families served.

Are you a strategic leader with a passion for growth, innovation, and transforming the landscape of early childhood education? We are looking for a dynamic Project Directorto drive our mission to eliminate the gaps between young children’s potential and their success in school and life.

Why Acelero?

Our mission is bold: To design and deliver research and evidence-based approaches to eliminate the gaps between young childrenʼs inherent potential and their achievement in school and life. With our partners, we accelerate child and family outcomes that honor all of the aspirations and cultures of the communities we serve. 

Our values: Data-Informed Learning; Transparent & Open Communication; Growth Mindset; Championing Equality; Caring Teams & Communities.

Your Role:

As the Project Director for North Carolina Family Child Care Network (FCCN) you will be responsible for increasing family and community engagement; increasing provider quality rating assessment scores; and providing a learning environment for family child care home providers to enhance their professional growth - and deliver high quality early care and education. The foundation provides leadership and operational oversight for partners, Shine’s direct service, and subcontractors on this project. This role requires a highly organized, systems-oriented leader with demonstrated experience in budget management, project execution, and strategic collaboration. The Project Director oversees the day-to-day implementation, ensures alignment with project goals, timelines, and deliverables. The Project Director is responsible for coordinating across partners and subcontractors, managing direct and indirect staff, and ensuring the use of data to deliver high-quality communities of practice, coaching, and technical assistance. The Project Director will also serve as the primary liaison to state and local partners, ensuring the foundation’s work is aligned with North Carolina’s early childhood system priorities.

What You’ll Do:

• Lead the planning, execution, and oversight of all project initiatives, ensuring alignment with deliverables, timelines, and performance metrics.
•  Serve as the primary liaison between The Acelero Foundation, Shine, North Carolina’s Division of Child Development and Early Education, community partners, and subcontracted partners.
•  Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with statewide, regional, and local stakeholders.
• Develop detailed project schedules, task assignments, and milestone trackers in collaboration with Shine and subcontractor teams.
•  Facilitate project and partner meetings to monitor progress, address barriers, and ensure accountability across all partners, while providing regular updates to funders and internal leadership.
• Manage all aspects of the SPARK North Carolina Family Child Care (FCC) Network budget,including budget planning, monitoring, and reporting in collaboration with Shine’s finance team.
•  Maintain a complex budget and ensure accurate disaggregation, reporting, and compliance.
•  Review and approve subcontractor invoices and expense reports, ensuring alignment with contract terms and deliverables.
•  Monitor expenses and adjust financial plans as needed to meet project and contract obligations.
•  Ensure fiscal accountability, timely disbursements, and compliance with state and federal requirements.
• Provide financial reporting and updates aligned with both DCDEE and Shine fiscal policies.
• Contribute to the growth of the Acelero Foundation.
• Use data to drive decisions and produce reports that highlight effective practices and areas for improvement.
• Represents Shine and the project at state and local meetings.
•  Monitor progress towards deliverables including parent and provider awareness, parent and provider participation, and advocacy.
• Provides thought leadership in statewide planning and the evolution of North Carolina’s Family Child Care Network supports and infrastructure.
• Develop and submit reports, data dashboards, and presentations to funders and leadership.
• Support integration of communities of practice, self-directed learning, and one-on-one coaching for FCC providers
• Ensures Shine Coaches, the Family Engagement Specialist, and subcontractor facilitators deliver TA and communities of practice with fidelity to evidence-based models.
• Oversees the dissemination of family and community engagement resources and materials to licensed FCC providers
• Tracks and oversees the delivery of face-to-face and virtual parent/guardian education training sessions to increase parent awareness and advocacy
• Facilitates problem-solving and peer learning across the statewide network.
• Evaluates the progress and participate in the process of continuous improvement utilizing both data and observations
• Participates in assigned meetings, events and training as required.

What You Bring:

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Public Administration, Social Work, or related field; Master’s preferred.
• 5+ years of experience managing large-scale projects, preferably in early childhood or public systems.
• Experience supervising staff and managing subcontractor relationships. Physical exam and background checks are required for this position.
• Travel required locally or long-distance up to 20% of the time for work-related meetings and functions.
•  Ability to travel across North Carolina
•  Must have a valid driver’s license and/or reliable transportation.

When/Where/How Much:

When: Fall 2025

Where: North Carolina remote with 20% travel

How Much: This position pays up to$105,000 annually. 

Why You’ll Love Working with Us:

• A meaningful mission that drives real change in the lives of children and families
• A collaborative, inclusive team that values your growth and well-being
• Robust benefits that support your total wellbeing, including:
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance with multiple plan options to fit your needs
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with company contributions up to $400/individuals & $800/family annually
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for health and dependent care expenses
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with up to 3% company match 
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability and Basic Life Insurance
• Up to $500 per year in Professional Development Reimbursements
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with counseling and mental wellness support
• Wellness Programs, including virtual fitness, nutrition, and mindfulness classes
• Pet Insurance, Legal Assistance, ID Theft Protection, and Employee Discount Perks

If you’re ready to take on a challenge that matters and lead growth in a company where purpose and values drive every decision, apply now to join us as our next Project Director. Together, we’ll help every child reach their fullest potential!

This position earns up to 105,000.00 Annually

Why Acelero Learning or Shine Early Learning?

- Ability to make an impact in the lives of the children, families, and partners we serve

- Career growth and professional development opportunities

- Supportive working environment

- Average of 5 weeks of paid time off during 1st year of employment

- Comprehensive benefits, including 401K matching and 100% vesting program

We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to creating a diverse and healthy work place.