The Birth through Eight Strategy for Tulsa (BEST), an initiative of George Kaiser Family Foundation (GKFF), is dedicated to providing an equal opportunity for young children in Tulsa through investments in early childhood education, community health, social services and civic enhancement. GKFF-BEST is currently seeking two mission-driven and experienced Associate Directors.

Birth through Eight Strategy for Tulsa (BEST)

The Birth through Eight Strategy for Tulsa (BEST) exists to disrupt intergenerational poverty by acting early, when most brain development happens. We envision a Tulsa where all communities are given the same opportunities to thrive, and children are set up for successful life outcomes beginning at birth.

Nationally distinctive in its size, scope, and depth of partner engagement, BEST takes a comprehensive and integrated approach that knits together programs and services to create a seamless continuum of support for children and families. BEST is a network of more than 80 public and non-profit agencies that are delivering health, education, criminal justice and social services to children and families in Tulsa. The 17-member GKFF-BEST team collaborates closely with fellow team members, others at GKFF and BEST partners to advance the goals of BEST with financial resources, coordination and convening.

ConnectFirst is a critical piece of BEST that supports healthy pregnancies, births and early childhood development across Tulsa County by connecting expectant mothers, parents and caregivers to services and resources.

As part of Place Matters, BEST contributes to and learns from a national effort to improve economic and social mobility in communities across the country. You can learn more about BEST through this website.

Role Overview

The ConnectFirst Associate Director leads strategy development and relationship management for select ConnectFirst workstreams that are critical to advancing ConnectFirst and BEST priorities. As a leader on the ConnectFirst Team, the Associate Director collaborates with the Director and others to align strategies and inform ConnectFirst’s direction. As a BEST main point of contact, the Associate Director manages relationships with a set of partners in ways that advance BEST priorities, builds on partner strengths and supports partners in implementation and planning. The Associate Director reports to the Director of ConnectFirst. The Associate Director’s portfolio will include strategy and programming focused primarily on maternal-child health, social services for ConnectFirst clients and/or mental health.

Hours and Location

This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position for BEST. Relocation assistance and a hybrid schedule are possible. Anticipated start date is late-summer or early fall 2023; flexible timing may be possible for the right candidate. To accommodate the health needs of those within the BEST community, the GKFF BEST office at 7030 S. Yale Ave. has a mandatory mask requirement for those working in this location. The ConnectFirst Associate Directors will begin with a hybrid work schedule, splitting their time between their home and the ConnectFirst office at 5330 E. 31st St. If you have any questions or would need any accommodations with this requirement, please email hr@tulsacf.org or call 918-494-8823.

Job Description

Partner Relationship Management

• Serve as the BEST Main Point of Contact for partners in the Associate Director’s respective portfolio, with activities that coincide with each partner’s ongoing planning and implementation as well as BEST cycles for grantmaking, reporting and partner engagement.
  • Externally:
    • Support each partner with Statement of Work creation and grant applications.
    • Engage in mid-year and end-of-year meetings with each partner in your portfolio.
    • Facilitate connections to relevant partner supports or other partners.
  • Internally:
    • Review Statements of Work and end-of-year and mid-year reports.
    • Work alongside GKFF program officers and BEST team members to help streamline support and communication among GKFF, the partner and BEST.
    • Collaborate with BEST team members and GKFF colleagues to address partner needs.
    • Review partner application materials and prepare materials to bring to the board.
• Collaborate with other Associate Directors at BEST to identify needs, inform universal partner supports (e.g., cohort-based trainings, convenings to support collaboration) and connect partners in your portfolio with select resources and opportunities.

Leadership

• Lead or co-lead certain strategy meetings with partners to advance BEST’s goals.
• Provide regular oversight and support to other team members, including the ConnectFirst Senior Program Associate, who will provide administrative support for meeting preparation; analyze, summarize and present research to support Associate Directors’ work; and support and manage up and out to ensure the Director of ConnectFirst and partners move work forward while balancing competing priorities.
• Facilitate, co-facilitate and/or present during parts of ConnectFirst Leadership Team meetings at the request of the Director of ConnectFirst to help inform, direct and support ConnectFirst’s work through data, strategy and decision-making.
• Co-lead select ConnectFirst team meetings, including leading strategic planning development, team meeting processes, and co-facilitation.

Strategy Development and Implementation

• Collaborate with the Director of ConnectFirst on strategic planning for ConnectFirst, including refining and strengthening the workstreams.
• Develop and implement project plans that incorporate key touchpoints with select partners, and advise the Director of ConnectFirst of risks, opportunities and mitigation plans.
• Advise/assist BEST partners on strategy development and implementation of specific projects and initiatives.
• Lead strategy development, refinement and implementation of select workstreams, including serving as the primary point of contact for partners supporting those areas.
• Provide thought leadership and partnership (e.g., asking key questions, making suggestions, sharing a different approach) to other ConnectFirst leaders and partners to advance the goals of BEST.

Team-wide Responsibilities

• Participate in GKFF and BEST team activities to support team learning and development, including BEST team meetings and DEI trainings.
• Participate in activities to gain exposure to various aspects of BEST, and receive coaching and professional development from your manager and/or others.
• Collaborate with others on the team who will support your and other team members’ work.
• Contribute to BEST projects in other ways, as assigned.

Competencies

GKFF-BEST encourages candidates from diverse backgrounds, including those with diverse professional experience, to apply for this role. Based on research, we know that women and people from underrepresented groups often only apply to jobs if they meet 100% of the qualifications. Since no single candidate will ever meet every requirement in the exact ways listed, we encourage applicants to apply if they feel that their professional experience aligns closely to the job description above and their application reflects most of the qualifications below.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in public health or a related field is required; Pursuing and/or completed a master’s degree is preferred
• At least 5-7 years of professional experience with cross-organizational collaboration; program development, support and/or execution; communications; and/or relevant work experience
• Previous experience working in or with nonprofits and/or organizations focused on early childhood, human services or a related field preferred

Proficiencies and Personal Characteristics

• Experience setting, executing and/or communicating an inspiring vision involving diverse stakeholders
• Experience taking initiative; managing and supporting others; and achieving results in a fast-paced, collaborative environment
• Demonstrating good judgment with regards to raising issues with your manager and handling confidential or sensitive information
• Bring a solutions-oriented, strengths-based approach while applying a diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) lens—with a particular emphasis on racial equity—to all aspects of the work
• Ability to work independently in Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite, Zoom, Adobe Pro, Mailchimp (or similar marketing/campaign software) and other platforms and with Salesforce or similar Client Relationship Manager (CRM) preferred
• ??Commitment to tackling ambitious initiatives to expand opportunities for children and families
• Commitment to trust, confidentiality and personal and professional growth and development

Expected range for the starting salary of this position is $72,000 - $85,000, with an opportunity for annual performance-based bonuses. Salary offerings will ultimately depend on prior experience, education and other qualifications.