Manager/Senior Manager (Engagement Programme), ECDA/PN

The Partnership Division (PN) Division in the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) aims to uplift the image and quality of the Early Childhood (EC) sector by: a. Enhancing perceptions of the EC profession through promotion and engagement strategies; b. Supporting a strong and sustained pipeline of EC educators through attraction and retention strategies; and c. Promoting the adoption of good practices that strengthen service delivery in EC centres. The Engagement Programme branch within the PN Division contributes to these efforts by promoting and profiling the EC profession and deepening engagement with key stakeholders such as parents, preschool operators, educators, community partners and sector leaders. The branch oversees flagship initiatives such as Start Small Dream Big (SSDB), the ECDA Awards, the Our Wonderful Parents (OWP) Initiative, and the ECDA Fellows Programme. Through these, it works closely with the sector to strengthen recognition, partnership, and collective ownership of early childhood development.

The role supports the management and strengthening of the ECDA Fellows Programme - a key platform where highly experienced sector leaders partner with ECDA to drive quality improvement across the early childhood landscape. The successful candidate will foster strong relationships with Fellows, facilitate meaningful collaboration and ensure smooth delivery of programme initiatives. Key Responsibilities The successful candidate will: • Build and sustain strong, trusting relationships with ECDA Fellows, recognising their deep sector expertise and supporting collaboration with ECDA; • Coordinate the planning, implementation and review of Fellows projects and sector-facing contributions; • Support onboarding process, communications, and ongoing touchpoints to ensure Fellows remain well-supported, informed, and meaningfully engaged, including through professional development opportunities such as annual retreats, overseas study trips, PD grants and so on; • Provide administrative operational support for the programme, including recruitment, grant administration, and identifying opportunities to strengthen Fellows’ involvement and impact.

We are seeking a relationship-driven and thoughtful professional with the following key competencies and experiences: • 5-7 years of experience in stakeholder engagement, partnerships or programme management, with a strong relational approach to working with senior stakeholders; • Strong interpersonal skills to build trust, influence, and collaborate meaningfully with ECDA Fellows; • Good analytical and critical thinking abilities, with the capacity to synthesise diverse inputs and perspectives; • Comfortable in operating in evolving or ambiguous contexts, with good judgement and adaptability; • Strong project management and organisational skills, able to manage multiple timelines and details with care; • Ability to translate stakeholder insights into programme enhancements; • Excellent written and verbal communication skills to support engagement, documentation and messaging; • Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint; • A tertiary qualification in Business Administration, Social Sciences or a related discipline.