Early Childhood Ireland is the leading children’s advocacy and membership organisation. We work in partnership with our members to achieve quality experiences for every child in Early Years and School Age care settings. We advocate for an effective and inclusive Early Years and School Age care system which values, supports and invests in childhood, children and services.
Early Childhood Ireland’s Strategic Plan (2021-2026) contains two ambitions. By 2026:
* Early Childhood Ireland is the largest membership organisation in the sector and our members are leading the way in achieving quality practice in their child-centred settings.
* Early Childhood Ireland is the leading advocate for children in early years and school-age care (EY and SAC) settings in Ireland, has influenced policy and legislative development in EY and SAC, towards the quality system we have championed; and Ireland has achieved an investment level of 1% of GDP by 2025.
At Early Childhood Ireland, we are committed to investing in our people and culture to ensure that as an organisation we deliver on our strategic plan while also continuing to be a great place to work. We are currently operating on a blended working basis, offering great flexibility to our employees and providing excellent opportunities to learn, grow and thrive.
POSITION: Director of Membership, Excellence and Learning
REPORTS TO: CEO
CONTRACT: Full-time and Permanent
LOCATION: Our national office is based at Tallaght in south Dublin.
MODEL OF WORKING: The organisation is operating a blended working model for the foreseeable future, subject to review based on organisational needs
Job Purpose
Reporting to the CEO, the Director of Membership, Excellence and Learning (MEL) is a pivotal member of Early Childhood Ireland’s Senior Leadership Team (SLT), responsible for shaping and driving the organisation’s strategic vision and impact within the Early Years and School Age Care (EY and SAC) sector. This role transcends operational oversight, providing strategic direction, cross-departmental leadership, and sectoral influence to ensure Early Childhood Ireland continues to champion quality, innovation, and positive outcomes for children, services, and the wider cause.
The role is externally focused, with a mandate to strengthen Early Childhood Ireland’s influence and reputation through visible and effective sectoral leadership.
The role holder will lead a high-impact and effective team within Early Childhood Ireland, which is responsible for ensuring that Early Childhood Ireland is a competent, innovative, and effective learning organisation, underpinned by extensive knowledge and skills. To succeed in this role, the post-holder will need to be a confident leader, with a proven ability to engage with internal and external stakeholders at all levels.
They will be forward-thinking and impact-focused and have demonstrable leadership experience. They will clearly and publicly articulate the importance and value of high-quality, innovation and good practice in Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare settings.
Responsibilities
* Strategic Leadership: Lead strategically as part of the SLT, ensuring the MEL function is aligned with organisational priorities and advances the delivery of the Strategic Plan and Theory of Change.
* Organisational Strategy & Theory of Change: Drive the development, implementation, and review of organisational strategy, embedding the Theory of Change approach across all MEL activities and supporting its integration throughout the organisation.
* Planning, driving and managing the implementation of the Early Childhood Ireland Membership and Learning strategies as part of achieving the overall goals of our Strategic Plan 2021-2026
* Actively contribute to the development and shaping of Early Childhood Ireland’s new strategic plan from 2026 onwards, bringing sectoral insight, innovative thinking, and collaborative leadership to ensure the strategy reflects emerging trends, organisational ambition, and the evolving needs of members and the wider EY and SAC sector.
* Inspire and facilitate collaboration within the SLT and across all teams, fostering collective ownership of outcomes, delivering on shared objectives, and cultivating a culture of learning and innovation.
* Provide effective oversight of operational delivery within Membership, Excellence and Learning, while elevating the strategic dimension of the role by driving long-term vision, external engagement, and sectoral leadership.
* Assume clear decision-making authority and accountability for outcomes of all MEL activities (in line with adopted Organisational frameworks), ensuring robust governance, transparency, and alignment with Early Childhood Ireland’s values and ambitions.
* Serve as a primary external representative for Early Childhood Ireland, forging and sustaining influential relationships with key stakeholders, advocating for quality and investment in EYSAC, and engaging with policy, research, and sector developments at national and international levels.
* Leading on the development of a membership engagement strategy that is implemented across all teams and ensures that every member feels the value of membership of Early Childhood Ireland and sees themselves as part of the quality system we have championed.
* Provide strategic oversight to ensure the robust implementation and continuous enhancement of all child safeguarding frameworks, reinforcing Early Childhood Ireland’s commitment to the highest standards of protection and welfare for children and young people, and embedding safeguarding as a core principle in organisational culture and decision-making.
* Drive the strategic expansion and optimisation of the online shop, positioning it as a central element in delivering value to members, Fostering sustainable revenue growth while supporting organisational objectives, and enhancing sector-wide impact.
* Programme Design & Professional Learning: Oversee the design, delivery, and evaluation of high-impact professional learning and membership programmes, grounded in evidence, Theory of Change, and the evolving needs of the sector.
* Lead the synthesis and interpretation of evidence from research, monitoring & evaluation (M&E), and sector intelligence to inform and influence strategic decisions and organisational positioning.
Digital Transformation
* Lead innovation in all aspects of the work of the MEL team in line with the Organisations Digital Innovation strategy and in collaboration with the Director of Operations ensuring clarity of areas of accountability and responsibility
* As a strong instigator and advocate of change, ensuring the team is adequately resourced and prepared for the challenges of the future and committed to delivering a top-class member journey through a variety of methods such as digital transformation and business processes.
* To develop policies relevant to the role, e.g. use of AI in CPD development in line with cross organisational approach to digital innovation and aligned to the Digital Strategy
* Research and recommend new technology that would improve effectiveness and efficiency of MEL activities.
Leadership
* Lead a team of expert managerial colleagues with responsibility for all operational activities of MEL, including Membership, Online shop, Garda Vetting & Child Safeguarding, Quality Support and Professional Learning, ensuring they are supported, motivated and accountable in their individual roles.
* Support and mentor line managers so that they understand the bigger picture, the Organisation’s strategic goals, and how their team’s work contributes to the overall success.
* Consciously and actively foster a team culturethat is consistent with the overall organisation’s and that emphasises the identified mission,vision, guiding principles, and values of the organisation.
Stakeholder Management
* Representing the mission and vision of the organisation by building and nurturing strong relationships with a range of key external stakeholders, including government departments and other local, national, and international agencies, and becoming recognisable as an innovative and insightful leader.
* Developing and maintaining effective, constructive, and collaborative relationships across Early Childhood Ireland and beyond as follows:
* Internal: CEO, Deputy CEO, SLT colleagues, cross -team and with the wider staff body—providing strategic leadership, fostering collaboration, and aligning cross-organisational efforts.
* External: Board of Directors, Department of Children, Department of Education, NCCA, Pobal, Tusla, Better Start, and other key sectoral partners—cultivating influential partnerships, representing Early Childhood Ireland, and advancing the organisation’s advocacy agenda.
Other
* Undertake any other such relevant duties as may from time to time arise and are
considered appropriate
Skills, Qualifications and Experience required
The following requirements which are essential, unless marked with a * which are desirable attributes
Education and Qualifications
* Masters level qualification in a relevant field
* At least five years’ experience in a leadership role with experience operating a Senior Leadership level.
* Proficient in writing, report writing, MS packages, LMS,
* Proven Understanding of the Early Years and School age care sector, including policy developments and research.
Person Specification
* Highly developed negotiation, leadership, and conflict resolution abilities; outstanding cross-functional collaboration and relationship-building skills; and the capacity to inspire and lead diverse teams.
* Proven experience in strategy development, professional learning delivery, and programme design rooted in a Theory of Change approach;
* Strong governance and decision-making acumen; and the ability to operate confidently at executive leadership level.
* Demonstrated skill in synthesising evidence from multiple sources (research, M&E, sector trends) to inform strategic decisions and drive organisational learning and innovation
* Excellent interpersonal skills with strong ability to delegate
* Critical thinker that identities areas for improvement, open to new ideas and discussion with creative problem solving;
* Can mentor and coach team members to achieve success.
* Proven capacity to work to tight deadlines and under pressure
* Excellent writing and editing skills
* Excellent verbal communications and presentation skills
* Experience of working in a membership Organisation*
* An evidenced and strong personal commitment to children’s rights
Terms and Conditions
Employer Early Childhood Ireland
Location The main place of work is our Head Office.
Blended working model – working remotely and at our national office, the combination to be agreed with the successful candidate.
Contract details This is a full-time post reporting to the CEO. The contract is permanent, subject to funding, and the probationary period is six months.
Salary: A salary in the range € 68,000 to €79,000 is offered.
The agreed salary will be commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.
Annual Leave Entitlement 25 days
Hours of Work 35 hour working week. The position will also require participation in some meetings/events in the evenings and at weekends.
Employee Benefits: Upon commencement:
· Tax Saver commuter ticket scheme
· Bike to Work scheme
· Employee assistance programme available to all staff and their families
· Influenza vaccination and eye tests
· Access to health screening service
· Two privilege leave days per year, Good Friday and Christmas Eve and additional Christmas privilege days
· PRSA
Upon successful completion of probation:
· Defined contribution pension scheme offering 6% to 10% employer contribution based on service, plus employee contribution (membership of pension scheme is mandatory upon completion of probation)
· Access to Health Plan – group discount for Hospital Saturday Fund (HSF) with employers’ contribution
· Death in service benefit
· Professional fees and training opportunities as applicable
· Additional annual leave*
· Paid maternity, parents’, paternity and adoptive leave*
· Paid sick leave*
· Educational assistance*
· AA roadside assistance if travel is required for the role
(*= Access to these benefits will depend on role/length of service.)
Application Process
To apply, please submit an up-to-date CV and letter of application via email marked for the attention of Gillian Moore, Strategic HR Manager with subject matter line Director of Membership Excellence and Learning to recruitment@earlychildhoodireland.ie by Friday 15 August 2025 at 12 Midday (late applications cannot be accepted)
The cover letter must address the essential requirements and convey the applicant’s understanding of this role. The CV should be no more than three pages long. Shortlisting of candidates may apply and will be based on the Job Description and Person Specification. Candidates may be asked for further information or to undertake other tasks to assist in the assessment process.
Early Childhood Ireland strives to be an Equal Opportunities Employer. We are committed to making our recruitment process accessible to all candidates.If you require any accommodations, please let us know by emailing recruitment@earlychildhoodireland.ie
Early Childhood Ireland believes the protection and welfare of all children is of paramount importance andis committed to implementing robust safeguarding procedures throughout the recruitment process.The organisation is aligned to Children First National Guidance 2017, Children First Act 2015 and the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act, 2012in all aspects of work.
We do not require the support of recruitment agencies at this time.
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