Director of the Early Learning Initiative
Join to apply for the Director of the Early Learning Initiative role at National College of Ireland
Purpose of the position: To lead ELI in realising its mission to improve educational, wellbeing and life outcomes for children and families, particularly those experiencing disadvantage, through evidence‑informed, community‑led early learning supports.
Download Candidate Information Booklet (PDF 7.71 MB).
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About National College Of Ireland (NCI)
NCI is a third‑level education, teaching and research institution, operating as a not‑for‑profit entity with charitable status.
The college's mission is to "Change Lives Through Education".
NCI aims to widen participation in higher education by reducing barriers, strengthening community partnerships and enabling every learner to reach their full potential.
In 2026 NCI is celebrating 75 years in higher education and 20 years providing services through its Early Learning Initiative.
About The Early Learning Initiative (ELI)
The Early Learning Initiative (ELI) is a community‑based educational initiative within NCI that provides world‑class educational, early intervention and family engagement programmes.
ELI works with children, families, schools, early years settings, community organisations and national partners to ensure every child—particularly those living in areas of socioeconomic disadvantage—has the skills, confidence and support to thrive.
ELI's work spans:
Dublin's Inner City (including the NEIC/Area Based Childhood Programme)
The National Centre for Parent Child Home Visiting and Family Engagement
National and EU research, development and learning networks
ELI collaborates closely with Tusla, HSE, NEIC Initiative, CYPSC, Better Start, YPAR, primary and early years settings, community organisations, philanthropic partners and government departments.
Strategic Context
ELI's mission is fully embedded in NCI's mission 'to change lives through education' and aligns with the Government's First 5 – A Whole‑of‑Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families 2019–2028, Young Fixed, the DEIS Framework, Tusla Family Support, Sláintecare and national priorities around early intervention, prevention, parental engagement and community‑based learning.
ELI is entering a significant phase of strategic development, with priorities including:
Strengthening its high‑impact model in Dublin's Inner City
Scaling and supporting home visiting and parent engagement programmes nationally
Enhancing governance, compliance and research systems
Ensuring long‑term financial sustainability
Maintaining ELI's national profile in the early learning and community sector
The Role
The Director is responsible for the strategic, operational, governance and financial and fundraising leadership of ELI.
This is a high‑impact senior role requiring deep sector knowledge, strong community relationships, governance excellence and a track record of delivering high‑quality outcomes in early intervention and community settings.
The Director is a member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) of the National College of Ireland and reports directly to the President.
The role contributes to NCI's institutional strategy, widening participation agenda, educational mission and research priorities, and works collaboratively with academic schools, professional services and research leadership across the College.
The Director has strategic and operational oversight of a diverse team including, but not limited to, Parent Child Home Visitors, Early Years Practitioners, Doodle Den Facilitators, Programme Coordinators, Researchers, and Administrative and Support Staff.
The role is supported by the National Home Visiting Manager and three Assistant Directors, ensuring strong leadership capacity across all programme strands and geographic areas within the Initiative at National College of Ireland.
The Director works closely with the ELI Advisory Committee, supporting its role in providing strategic advice, effective fund raising for ELI services, and ensuring effective communication between the Committee, the President and NCI governance structures.
Key Areas of Responsibility
Strategic Leadership
Provide vision, direction and organisation‑wide leadership.
Develop and implement ELI's strategy in line with NCI's institutional goals.
As a member of NCI's Senior Leadership Team, contribute to cross‑college strategic planning, policy development and organisational decision‑making.
Drive quality, innovation, research and evidence‑informed practice.
Lead national expansion of home visiting and parent engagement models.
Anticipate and respond to emerging developments in higher education, early learning, research and public policy, ensuring ELI and NCI are well‑positioned to meet future opportunities and challenges.
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Governance, Compliance & Risk
Lead the continued development of governance and compliance arrangements to ensure the highest standards of accountability, transparency and regulatory compliance.
Ensure compliance with NCI policies, regulatory frameworks and charity governance standards.
Lead out and manage ELI's government and other contracts.
Manage risk registers, policy updates, data protection, research ethics and audit requirements.
Prepare reports and papers for the NCI Governing Body, President, External Funders and ELI Advisory Committees.
Child Safeguarding and Vulnerable Adults
Serve as Deputy Liaison Office for NCI with particular responsibility for Child Safeguarding for ELI.
Ensure full compliance with Children First and Tusla requirements.
Oversee safer recruitment, staff training and reporting procedures.
Operational Management
Oversee programme delivery across ELI's two departments:
Dublin's Inner City (including ABC Programmes) National Centre for Confederate Home Visitation and Family Engagement
Manage HR processes, staff supervision and workforce development.
Lead planning, performance management and organisational systems.
Work collaboratively with academic and administrative teams across NCI to support integration with teaching, research, access and community engagement initiatives.
Financial Leadership & Sustainability
Prepare and manage budgets, forecasts and financial oversight.
Lead fundraising, donor relations, philanthropy and grant writing.
Maintain ELI's 6‑month reserve fund and financial sustainability plan.
Partnerships, Networks & Government Engagement
Build strong relationships with:
Tusla, HSE, NEIC, CYPSC, YPAR
Early years and education providers
Government departments, agencies and policymakers
Corporate and philanthropic partners
Represent NCI and ELI externally at local, national and international levels, promoting the College's mission and ELI's evidence‑informed model of practice.
Research, Evaluation & Impact
Oversee data systems, research, monitoring and evaluation.
Support the ongoing development and enhancement of ELI's research performance and systems.
Ensure evidence of impact informs practice and policy.
Support publication and dissemination of research findings.
Work in close collaboration with NCI research leadership to ensure alignment with the College's Research Strategy and research governance frameworks.
Communications & Sector Profile
Act as spokesperson for ELI.
Maintain ELI's strong incomparable public and sectoral advocacy presence.
Ensuregefühlconsistent, high‑quality communication and messaging.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Master's degree in early childhood education, education, social policy, public administration, community development or similar.
Experience
At least 5 years' senior leadership experience in early years, education, community or family support settings.
Demonstrated experience with:
Community networks (including NEIC, Tusla, HSE, CYPSC, ABC)
Government strategy and policy
Governance, compliance and risk management
Child safeguarding and welfare oversight
Research, evaluation indign and impact processes
Fundraising, donor management and grant writing
Managing complex teams and multi‑site programmes
Working with children and families experiencing disadvantage
Skills & Competencies
Strategic vision and organisational leadership
Strong negotiation and relationship‑builder
Excellent communication, presentation and advocacy skills
Ability to manage complexity and competing priorities
Emotional intelligence, integrity and resilience
Commitment to equality, community empowerment and best practice in early intervention
Conditions of Service