Deputy Executive Director/Chief Administrative Officer, Department of Early Childhood
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Deputy Executive Director/Chief Administrative Officer, Department of Early Childhood
Salary
$150,000.00 - $175,000.00 Annually
Location
Denver Metro, CO
Job Type
Full Time
Job Number
IHA 70029 4.2026
Department
Department of Early Childhood
Opening Date
04/03/2026
Closing Date
4/10/2026 11:59 PM Mountain
FLSA
Determined by Position
Primary Physical Work Address
710 S. Ash Street, Denver, CO 80246
FLSA Status
Exempt; position is not eligible for overtime compensation.
Department Contact Information
naomi.gonzales@state.co.us
Type of Announcement
This announcement is not governed by the selection processes of the classified personnel system. Applications will be considered from residents and non-residents of Colorado.
How To Apply
Please submit an online application for this position at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/colorado. Reach out to the Department Contact to apply using a paper application, including any supplemental questions. Failure to submit a complete and timely application may result in the rejection of your application. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that application materials are received by the appropriate Human Resources office before the closing date and time listed.
Description
Benefits
Questions
Department Information
NOTE: while this position is non-classified and we will be accepting applications from residents and non-residents of Colorado, the incumbent is required to establish residency within the State by the first day of employment.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis is committed to building a Colorado For All, a place where everyone has an opportunity to succeed and live the Colorado way of life. Governor Polis is focused on lowering health care costs for hardworking Coloradans, transitioning the state to renewable energy sources, ensuring every Colorado child gets a quality education, and building an economy that works for everyone.
The State of Colorado strives to create a Colorado for All by building and maintaining workplaces that value and respect all Coloradans through a commitment to equal opportunity and hiring based on merit and fitness. The State is resolute in non-discriminatory practices in everything we do, including hiring, employment, and advancement opportunities.
We offer a generous benefits package including:
11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave
Medical, dental, and vision plans
State paid life insurance policy
Choice of 2 retirement plans (defined benefit or defined contribution)
Optional 401(k) and 457 plans
State paid short-term disability coverage
Additional optional life and disability plans
Credit Union membership
Training and professional development
To learn more about State of Colorado benefits visit: https://www.colorado.gov/dhr/benefits.
This position will have the opportunity for a hybrid schedule (combination in-office and remote workplace). Please note - equipment provisioning and certain onboarding tasks will take place in person, in Denver office, on the first day of employment.
The Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC) ensures the delivery of a comprehensive, community-informed, data-driven, high-quality, and equitable early childhood system that supports the care, education and well-being of all Colorado's young children, their families and early childhood professionals in all settings. CDEC provides access to collaborative, coordinated, quality early childhood programs and support to children, families, and early care professionals in an effort to best prepare Coloradans for future success. CDEC works with many partners, including parents, schools, child care providers, Early Childhood Councils, counties, Community Centered Boards, early intervention service providers, family resources centers, county human services, county public health, businesses, community organizations, and other stakeholders to provide high-quality early childhood and family support programs.
Description of Job
What you'll be doing:
The CDEC Deputy Executive Director/Chief Administrative Officer provides leadership across all aspects of the Department's mission. This role is part of the senior executive team, providing direct support to the Executive Director in overseeing the agency, providing executive leadership in establishing and effecting broad policies and objectives related to CDEC's mission, values and strategic objectives. Additionally, the Deputy Executive Director serves as a champion and role model by demonstrating and fostering the department's values-based culture, including our core values.
The position provides visionary and operational leadership, fostering trust and collaboration, enabling CDEC to deliver credible and effective service to the general public. The position also establishes and maintains effective working relationships with external stakeholders including the Governor's Office, other state agencies, members of the legislature, and representatives of public and private entities.
This position acts as a right hand support to the Executive Director, attending meetings with or in place of the Executive Director at the direction of the Executive Director. Serves as a trusted confidante to the Executive Director. Serves as a thought partner and advocate for excellence on the senior leadership team and leads the Executive Director's team, across offices and externally.
In addition to day-to-day operational and administrative responsibilities, the Deputy Executive Director is responsible for high-priority strategic initiatives and projects, as identified by the Executive Director (ED). Those projects will often span multiple divisions or teams within CDEC and require close collaboration with other members of the executive team and their reports. This role will also help guide and implement the strategic vision of the ED and the leadership team.
The position supports the Executive Director in crafting and executing the Department's strategic plan in coordination with our Performance management team and senior strategist and the tracking of related workstream priorities to achieve strategic goals. The role leads and coordinates the completion of complex, cross-functional, organization-wide projects or initiatives, acts as a liaison with the Governor's Office and represents the Department in cross-agency projects.
Specific job duties include the following, under the ED's guidance:
Provides day to day operational leadership for the Department.
Provides budget oversight and implementation of budget monitoring for the department.
Oversees and monitors the development and implementation of agency's plans, reports, and strategies to include the Strategic Plan, Wildly Important Goals (WIGS) and Legislative Appropriations Request
Assists in guiding all aspects of the Department's programs and in creating policies and procedures, ensuring that administrative, statutory compliance, revenue and other functions are taken into consideration.
Direct the development and maintenance of the department's enterprise-wide risk management framework and oversees the Continuity of Operations Plan. Ensures the organization is prepared and able to respond to significant operational interruptions.
Represents the Department before legislative committees, local officials, executives and senior managers of other agencies concerning operational activities.
Collaborates among executive management in the analysis of the statutory impact and other issues affecting the offices.
Provides executive direction for all major department IT initiatives and ensure the integrity and effective governance of departmental data systems.
Represents the Department in various settings, including in front of the legislature, stakeholders (families, providers, school districts, and advocacy groups), other state departments, the Governor's office, and other settings
Initiates and maintains standing coordination mechanisms with cross agency deputy executive directors to resolve inter-departmental issues, align on shared goals and ensure seamless delivery of cross agency services.
Responds to incoming correspondence and queries, under the direction of the Executive Director
Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights
Minimum Qualifications:
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in Management, Business or Public Administration, or a closely related field.
AND
Eight (8) years of recent experience in senior leadership/executive management in public programs, higher education, non-profits, or other government administration to have included the following:
Demonstrated experience in goal setting, priority management, project management, and performance measurement against goals.
Demonstrated experience in managing individuals and creating collaborative, supportive cultures where employees and leaders thrive.
Demonstrated interpersonal, relationship building and collaboration skills at the senior leadership level.
Demonstrated ability to embed equity in all organizational internal practices and culture, as well as our programs.
Proven, expert level verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
Demonstrable knowledge of Project Management best practices.
Extensive experience in operations management, in roles like Director or VP of Operations.
Demonstrated experience in succeeding and thriving in environments with competing and changing priorities.
Please note: The required experience must be substantiated within the work experience section of your application and in the supplemental questions. Your resume will not be reviewed to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications; only the work experience section and supplemental questions of your application will be reviewed to determine this. "See Resume" statements on the application will not be accepted. In addition, part-time work will be prorated.
** Substitutions: Additional related experience may substitute for the education on a year-for-year basis. Additional education in a related field may substitute for the experience requirement on a year-for-year basis.
DEFINITION OF PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
Work that involves exercising discretion, analytical skill, judgment, and personal accountability, and responsibility for creating, developing, integrating, applying, and sharing an organized body of knowledge that characteristically is uniquely acquired through an intense education or training regimen at a recognized college or university; equivalent to the curriculum requirements for a bachelor's or higher degree with major study in or pertinent to the specialized field; and continuously studied to explore, extend, and use additional discoveries, interpretations, and application and to improve data, materials, equipment, applications and methods.
Preferred Qualifications:
Master's or doctorate degree in related field
Experience with change management in a large organization
The ability to think creatively, and develop innovative strategies and solutions that address complex challenges
Experience in state government
Experience in early childhood administration
Knowledge and understanding of state early education policy
Knowledge of Colorado rules and regulations related to early education.
Experience in a public service environment at the state, county, and local levels.
Experience in working with the legislature and the generation of fiscal notes associated with proposed legislation and in writing rules, statutes, and legal policies.
Demonstrated experience working closely with senior executives to achieve organizational vision, mission, and goals/objectives
Experience with the development and proper execution of program budgets to meet business operational requirements
Proven experience providing executive-level direction for enterprise-wide IT initiatives, including the strategic oversight of data governance frameworks to ensure system integrity and security.
Highly Desirable Competencies:
High emotional intelligence and professional execution at the most senior levels of state government.
A proven ability to work within a complex political environment and governmental system.
Outstanding written and oral communication and collaboration skills.
Ability to think at a systems level and see the big picture
Ability to think critically and to coach others in critical thinking
Ability to see connections between multiple, complex, cross organizational streams of work
Ability to build and cultivate relationships up, down and across a large organization to facilitate collaboration, overcome barriers, and achieve goals.
Ability to understand the role and interrelationship of each organizational function and outside drivers (e.g., economy, politics, social) and apply this understanding to develop/shape and implement strategy
Ability to translate broad strategies into specific objectives and action plans and to align the organization to support strategic objectives. Ability to operationalize high level strategic initiatives, projects and objectives.
Ability to understand the different aspects of performance measurement and to create approaches to develop meaningful performance measures; ability to effectively analyze and organize performance data and use performance data to draw conclusions/make recommendations.
Ability to interface with key constituents and stakeholders.
Ability to analyze information and use facts and available information to develop logical assumptions and differentiate between important and unimportant details, recognize inconsistencies between facts and/or data and draw correct inferences from information (includes differentiating, comparing, contrasting, linking, researching)
Ability to analyze financial, budgetary, administrative, legal, and organizational data to recommend appropriate action.
Ability to be responsible and effective and values excellence in terms of conduct, integrity, and attitude.
Ability to assess the relative importance of activities and assignments; adjusts priorities when appropriate; manages several tasks at once.
Bilingual - English/Spanish
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
Applicants must pass a thorough background check prior to employment.
Employees who have been disciplinary terminated, resigned in lieu of disciplinary termination, or negotiated their termination from the State of Colorado must disclose this information on the application.
Local in-state travel is required and occasional national travel.
APPEAL RIGHTS:
If you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for this position, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director.
An appeal or review must be submitted on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative. This form must be delivered to the State Personnel Board by email ( dpa_state.personnelboard@state.co.us ), postmarked in US Mail or hand delivered (1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver CO 80203), or faxed (303.866.5038) within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgement of the department's action.
For more information about the appeals process, the official appeal form, and how to deliver it to the State Personnel Board; go to spb.colorado.gov ; contact the State Personnel Board for assistance at (303) 866-3300; or refer to 4 Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, at spb.colorado.gov under Rules.
Supplemental Information
Supplemental Information
A cover letter and resume or CV must be submitted with the application for consideration. Your resume must provide sufficient detail about your background and experience to allow the screening panel to properly assess your experience in the required elements, including your experience and achievements.
How to Apply (https://careers.colorado.gov/how-to-apply) (PLEASE READ CAREFULLY)
Please note that ONLY your State of Colorado job application will be reviewed during the initial screening; if you submit a cover letter or resume, they will be reviewed in later stages of the selection process. Therefore, it is paramount that you clearly describe all your relevant experience on the application itself. Applications left blank or marked "SEE RESUME" will not be considered.
Your application will be reviewed against the minimum qualifications for the position. If your application demonstrates that you meet the minimum qualifications, you will be invited to the comparative analysis process, which is described below.
Comparative Analysis Process
The comparative analysis process will consist primarily of a review of applications against the minimum and preferred qualifications of this position. Applications will be reviewed in comparison to all others in the applicant pool in order to identify a top group of candidates who may be invited for a final interview. Depending on the size of the applicant pool, additional selection processes may be utilized to identify a top group of candidates. Applicants will be notified of their status via email.
Failure to submit properly completed documents by the closing date will result in your application being rejected.
The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.
ADAAA Accommodations: The Colorado Department of Early Childhood is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our Director of Human Resources:naomi.gonzales@state.co.us.
The Department does not offer sponsored visas for employment purposes.
Technical Assistance
If you experience difficulty in uploading or attaching documents to your online application, or for any other technical difficulties, call NEOGOV technical support at 855-524-5627 anytime between 6:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. (Pacific Time).
Please note that each agency's contact information is different; therefore, we encourage all applicants to view the full, official job announcement which includes contact information and class title. Select the job you wish to view, then click on the "Print" icon.
01
All positions at the Department require that potential employees undergo a thorough background check. As a condition of employment, you are required to submit to pre-employment screening if offered the position. Are you willing to meet this requirement?
Yes
No
02
Are you willing to accept an offer within the posted salary range?
Yes
No
03
This position requires the incumbent to travel both in and out of state, as needed. As a condition of employment, do you have reliable transportation and are you willing to travel in order to fulfill the duties of this position?
Yes
No
04
Former state employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must disclose the information on the application. In the space below, please provide an explanation as to why the prior termination or resignation should NOT disqualify your application from the current position. Otherwise, please list N/A.
05
List any additional relevant experience you would like us to consider in determining if you meet the qualifications of this position. Please, include the months and years relevant to the experience you describe.
06
Please identify the preferred qualifications and competencies from the job posting in which you believe are your strengths.
Required Question
Employer
State of Colorado
Address
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Website
https://careers.colorado.gov/
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