About Thriving Wisconsin
Thriving Wisconsin cultivates a system of organizations and professionals across Wisconsin to promote quality, strengths-based early childhood and family support services in all communities. In partnership with the Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) Network, we are leading a multi-year initiative to expand child care access and strengthen provider capacity statewide. This initiative is implemented through eight regional CCR&R agencies, working together toward a shared vision of supporting families, providers, and communities.
Summary of Position
The Child Care Access Specialist will oversee planning, coordination, and execution of this statewide initiative to expand child care access throughout Wisconsin. Working closely with eight regional CCR&R agencies, this role ensures alignment, consistent implementation, and accountability for outcomes. The ideal candidate is a skilled communicator, detail-oriented planner, and trusted relationship-builder who can manage complexity, navigate competing priorities, and keep diverse partners moving toward shared goals.
Key Responsibilities
Project & Network Administration
- Provide high-quality project management support to ensure CCR&R agencies implement Child Care Access activities in a coordinated and consistent manner statewide
- Develop and manage statewide project plans, timelines, and deliverables, ensuring alignment with statutory requirements and funder expectations
- Anticipate challenges and design solutions that sustain progress and promote best practices.
Fiscal and Contract Management
- Managing the Thriving Wisconsin project budget and all CCR&R subcontracts.
- Monitor CCR&R budgets, track expenditures, flag issues, and ensure compliance with funder requirements.
- Support transparent financial reporting and responsible allocation of resources
Partnerships and Provider Pipelines
- Formalize statewide partnerships and develop/oversee warm handoff protocols to strengthen and expand the provider pipeline.
- Align recruitment, training, technical assistance, and reporting activities to maintain fidelity to project objectives and statutory priorities
Professional Learning Development
- Support Thriving Wisconsin's Early Childhood Specialist with training and professional development activities, as needed.
Quality Assurance & Data Leadership
Support the Systems Administrator & Data Analyst to:
- Oversee project quality, using performance data to refine strategies and drive continuous improvement.
- Coordinate statewide data collection, analysis, and transparent reporting to monitor progress and inform decision-making.
Communication & Collaboration
- Serve as the central point of contact among CCR&R agencies, state partners, funders, and organizational leadership.
- Facilitate statewide and regional meetings, ensuring clear agendas, decision-making, and follow-through.
- Develop and disseminate adaptable materials to ensure consistent, statewide messaging for recruitment and promotion of Child Care Access supports.
- Build motivation, shared commitment, and a culture of collaboration across regional teams and stakeholders.
Qualifications
Education & Experience
- Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s preferred (public administration, nonprofit management, education, or related field).
- Minimum of 3+ years of project management experience with multi-site or statewide initiatives.
- Experience with child care, early education, or human services systems strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to lead complex projects with multiple partners and deliverables.
- Valid driver’s license, current auto insurance, and the ability to travel statewide, including overnight stays as needed
Skills & Competencies
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail.
- Well developed skills for facilitating collaboration among multi-disciplinary/multi-system teams.
- Skilled facilitator able to guide productive meetings and decision-making processes.
- Excellent interpersonal skills, including diplomatic, solutions-oriented approach to managing challenges across diverse stakeholders.
- Ability to inspire collaboration and commitment toward statewide goals.
- Proven ability to work independently with self-direction, while engaging collaboratively as needed
- Comfortable working in highly productive, multi-project team environment
- Proficiency with project management tools and Microsoft Office Suite
General
- Actively participate in monthly staff meetings and quarterly in person meetings
- Support agency mission, vision, strategic aims and action teams
- Contribute to Thriving Wisconsin publications, resources, and campaigns,
- Other duties as assigned