Application Guide

How to Apply for Family Forward NC® Statewide Strategist

at NORTH CAROLINA EARLY CHILDHOOD FOUNDATION INC

🏢 About NORTH CAROLINA EARLY CHILDHOOD FOUNDATION INC

The North Carolina Early Childhood Foundation (NCECF) is a mission-driven organization dedicated to building a comprehensive, equitable prenatal-to-age-eight system in North Carolina. Their flagship initiative, Family Forward NC®, focuses on advancing family-friendly workplace policies, making them a unique and impactful employer for those passionate about early childhood and systems change.

About This Role

As the Family Forward NC® Statewide Strategist, you will lead the growth of the Employer Certification program, expand strategic partnerships across the state, and drive a marketing campaign to promote family-friendly workplaces. This role is pivotal in influencing employer practices and public policy to support working families in North Carolina.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with a virtual meeting with a potential employer partner to discuss certification benefits, followed by drafting a grant proposal for a foundation interested in early childhood. In the afternoon, you might review marketing materials with the Communications Manager and then prepare for a presentation to a coalition of business leaders, all while tracking progress toward partnership and fundraising goals.

🚀 Application Tools

Generate Cover Letter

AI-powered, tailored for NORTH CAROLINA EARLY CHILDHOOD FOUNDATION INC

Interview Prep

Practice questions for this role

🎯 Who NORTH CAROLINA EARLY CHILDHOOD FOUNDATION INC Is Looking For

  • You have 7+ years of experience in building and leading initiatives focused on policy, community engagement, or advocacy, with a track record of scaling programs.
  • You excel at relationship management, having successfully cultivated partnerships with diverse stakeholders like community organizations, employers, and funders.
  • You possess strong public speaking and writing skills, with experience in grant writing and fundraising from foundations or corporations.
  • You are deeply familiar with North Carolina's early childhood landscape and family policy issues, or can quickly become an expert.

📝 Tips for Applying to NORTH CAROLINA EARLY CHILDHOOD FOUNDATION INC

1

Tailor your resume to highlight specific achievements in scaling initiatives or certification programs, using metrics like number of employers engaged or funds raised.

2

In your cover letter, explicitly connect your experience to Family Forward NC’s mission and mention any familiarity with their Employer Certification program.

3

Research NCECF’s current partners and funders (e.g., The Duke Endowment, Blue Cross NC) and reference how you could strengthen those relationships.

4

Prepare a one-page summary of how you would approach expanding the Employer Certification program in the next 12 months, including partnership outreach and marketing strategies.

5

Demonstrate your understanding of North Carolina’s political and business landscape, especially how family-friendly policies intersect with economic development.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your passion for early childhood and family policy, specifically how family-friendly workplaces impact child well-being.', 'Proven success in building and growing partnerships with employers, community organizations, and funders, with concrete examples.', 'Your experience in grant writing and fundraising, especially for initiatives similar to Family Forward NC.', 'Your strategic vision for scaling the Employer Certification program and engaging new stakeholders across North Carolina.']

Generate Cover Letter →

🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review the current list of Family Forward NC certified employers and their testimonials to understand the program's value proposition.
  • → Read NCECF’s recent reports or blog posts on family-friendly policies in North Carolina to grasp the policy landscape.
  • → Study the funding sources of NCECF (foundations, corporate partners) to identify potential relationship-building opportunities.
  • → Familiarize yourself with the political context of early childhood policy in NC, including key legislators and advocacy groups.
Visit NORTH CAROLINA EARLY CHILDHOOD FOUNDATION INC's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you prioritize outreach to different types of employers (e.g., small businesses vs. large corporations) for the Employer Certification program?
2 Describe a time you managed a complex partnership with multiple stakeholders; what was your approach and outcome?
3 How would you measure the success of the Family Forward NC initiative beyond the number of certified employers?
4 What strategies would you use to engage funders who are new to early childhood or family policy?
5 How would you collaborate with the Communications Manager to launch a marketing campaign that resonates with both employers and policymakers?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Don’t submit a generic application without mentioning Family Forward NC or the Employer Certification program specifically.
  • Avoid focusing solely on policy advocacy without addressing the business case for family-friendly workplaces – this role requires engaging employers.
  • Don’t underestimate the importance of fundraising; failing to highlight grant writing or donor relationship experience could hurt your candidacy.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to NORTH CAROLINA EARLY CHILDHOOD FOUNDATION INC!

← Back to Job Listing Apply Now →