Early Learning Operations & Analysis Manager

About the Role

This role sits at the intersection of implementation, data, and learning. It is not a back-office position—you’ll engage with partners, providers, and Local Leads across the state to understand what’s happening on the ground and help translate that into clearer decisions and stronger work. You’ll ensure that early learning initiatives at Forward are implemented with quality, grounded in evidence, and continuously improving. You’ll also support the operational backbone of communities of practice, oversee pilots, and foster partnerships—making sure timelines are clear, systems are functioning, data is meaningful, and insights are captured and used. You’ll report to the Executive Director of the Center for Early Learning Solutions, collaborating closely across strategy, implementation, and communications.

What You’ll Get

• A hands-on role shaping early learning initiatives

• Experience supporting high-quality implementation across communities of practice and pilot initiatives

• Opportunities to harness real implementation data and partner feedback

• A close partnership with program, strategy, and communications colleagues to turn learning into action

• Space to apply analytical thinking, judgment, and curiosity to complex, evolving work

• Exposure to systems-level early learning efforts and local impact

If you enjoy making things work better—and helping teams learn as they go—this role will be a strong fit.

What You’ll Do

• Manage operational execution and implementation quality for early learning initiatives, including systems, timelines, and partner coordination

• Lead data collection, monitoring, and documentation related to implementation, outputs, and outcomes

• Synthesize data, observations, and partner feedback to support continuous improvement and future initiative design

• Engage with providers, partners, and participants to support implementation and capture on-the-ground insights

• Support research of early learning practices to inform current and future work

• Translate learning into clear insights, summaries, and narratives for internal alignment and external storytelling

• Maintain organized documentation and records aligned with reporting, compliance, and knowledge management needs

• Provide hands-on implementation support, including outreach, recruitment, data collection, and follow-up

• Serve as a connector across strategy, implementation, learning, and communications

What We Offer

• A collaborative, mission-driven team that values clarity, trust, and shared ownership

• Work that is meaningful, detail-rich, and constantly evolving—no two weeks look the same

• A culture of learning, reflection, and continuous improvement

• Opportunities to grow and stretch as the work evolves

• Competitive compensation and benefits

• Flexibility and respect for the fact that strong work and full lives go together

What We’re Looking For

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent practical experience

• At least 5 years of experience in nonprofit, education, or client-facing work

• Experience in early childhood or PK–12 education preferred

• Experience with data collection, evaluation, or grant management roles preferred

• Strong written and verbal communication skills

• Excellent organizational and project management abilities

• Comfort managing multiple projects with different timelines

• A mindset toward action, learning, and continuous improvement

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit the following to Jamie Rayford at jrayford@forwardarkansas.org:

• A résumé

• A cover letter explaining your interest in the role and how your experience aligns with the responsibilities outlined above

• Three professional references

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.