Director, Childcare Expansion & Investment (San Antonio)

About Early Matters San Antonio

Early Matters San Antonio (EMSA) is a collective impact initiative dedicated to ensuring that 70% of Bexar County children enter kindergarten ready to learn by 2030. Through strategic partnerships with community agencies, early education professionals, nonprofits, school districts, and businesses, Early Matters works to strengthen early education systems and drive systemic change to expand access, improve affordability, and elevate quality across the early learning landscape.

Position Overview

Bexar County’s early learning landscape faces significant challenges: many providers operate well below licensed capacity, and expansion efforts are often hindered by financial and regulatory complexities. This position is a key lever in Early Matters’ strategy to address these gaps and build a more sustainable, equitable early learning system.

The Director will create the roadmap and lead the charge to make strategic expansion possible for providers—helping unlock hundreds of new high-quality seats for the children and families who need them most.

The Director will lead the development and implementation of a High-Quality Childcare Accelerator—a new, two-year initiative focused on increasing the number of high-quality early childhood seats available to low-income families in Bexar County.

This role is envisioned as a strategic builder and navigator: someone who can develop a comprehensive understanding of early learning business operations, financing, and expansion, and then build the infrastructure, relationships, and tools needed to support new and existing high quality rated providers in growing their capacity sustainably.

The Director will collaborate with partners such as the Small Business Administration, CDFIs, city or county financing programs, the City of San Antonio, Pre-K 4 SA, local school districts, debt and equity investors/funds, and other funding partners to build a toolkit for expansion and deliver hands-on technical assistance to early learning operators.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy & Program Design

· Lead the design and implementation of Early Matters’ High-Quality Childcare Accelerator strategy, a new initiative with ambitious expansion goals.

· Develop a comprehensive toolkit outlining pathways, financing mechanisms, and regulatory considerations for opening or expanding high-quality early learning centers.

· Identify and prioritize expansion opportunities among current high-quality providers and prospective operators, aligning with Early Matters’ bold promise to increase access for all families.

Financing & Resource Navigation

· Serve as Early Matters’ internal content expert on business expansion financing, identifying local, state, federal, and private resources—including small business loans, CDFIs, SBA programs, city, state, and federal incentive programs, and philanthropic opportunities.

· Build and manage relationships with financial institutions, CDFIs, city departments, and partner organizations to unlock capital for expansion projects.

· Support providers in understanding financing options, facilitating viable deals, and navigating complex funding landscapes.

Technical Assistance & Provider Engagement

· Provide tailored support to providers seeking to expand, including business model development, budget analysis, and strategic planning for facility growth.

· Help providers assess their current financial position and identify pathways to scale (e.g., adding classrooms, purchasing land, or opening new sites).

· Help providers determine their readiness and appropriate timeline for growth/expansion.

Partnership & Systems Alignment

· Coordinate with key partners—including United Way San Antonio, Workforce Solutions Alamo, Pre-K 4 SA, and shared services alliances—to align expansion efforts and avoid duplication.

· Identify policy or systemic barriers to expansion and contribute to advocacy strategies, both regulatory and legislative.

· Participate in Early Matters’ broader strategic planning to ensure the Accelerator work is integrated into collective impact goals.

Performance & Impact

· Over the two-year grant period, support expansion sufficient to serve an additional 400 children annually, with a primary focus on increasing access for families with lower incomes.

· Develop metrics and reporting structures to track progress, measure impact, and communicate results to funders and partners.

· Identify opportunities for long-term sustainability beyond the two-year grant, including additional funding and strategic partnerships.

Qualifications

Required:

· Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, public administration, early childhood education, or a related field.

· At least 5 years of experience in a relevant field such as small business development, early childhood systems building, CDFI or public financing, or nonprofit strategic growth.

· Demonstrated financial acumen—comfortable with budgeting, business modeling, loan structures, and navigating public/private financing mechanisms.

· Experience in building cross-sector partnerships and work with diverse stakeholders including government, nonprofits, and businesses.

· Strategic thinker with the ability to design and implement complex new initiatives.

Preferred:

· Experience in early childhood education operations or shared services models.

· Familiarity with Texas Rising Star standards, early education programs, or childcare licensing.

· Knowledge of and/or experience securing financing for capital projects or business expansion.

· Advanced degree or relevant certification (e.g., MBA, MPA, financial certification).

Position Details

· Duration: 2-year grant-funded position, with potential continuation pending future funding.

· Compensation: $90,000-100,000 annual salary plus benefits.

· Location: Based in San Antonio, with some hybrid work flexibility.

· Travel: Local travel required for site visits, partner meetings, and convenings. Occasional statewide travel. Limited travel outside of Texas.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $90,000.00 – $100,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Relocation assistance
• Vision insurance

Work Location: Hybrid remote in San Antonio, TX 78213

APPLY HERE