Content Strategist

The Content Strategist leads the planning, alignment, and lifecycle management of content for the National Center on Early Development, Teaching and Learning. This role ensures training, technical assistance (TTA), resources, and learning experiences are grounded in evidence, aligned with federal priorities, and useful to Head Start Preschool and Early Head Start programs. A significant portion of this content is developed for publication on HeadStart.gov, requiring a strong focus on clear, accessible, accurate, and timely information for the Head Start community. The Content Strategist connects research and practice, turning complex information into practical resources and ensuring content remains relevant and useful throughout its lifecycle to support high-quality services and improved outcomes for children, families, and staff.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Content Strategy

• Develop and oversee a comprehensive content strategy that establishes and maintains a content lifecycle framework (from ideation to evaluation) to ensure consistency, quality, and usability across all National Center products focused on early childhood development, teaching, and learning. Ensure content is consistent with Head Start practices and reflects Head Start and other ACF/OHS priorities.

Evidence Alignment

• Ensure all content is research- and evidence-informed, developmentally appropriate, reflective of best practice and grounded in implementation science.
• Translate research and policy into clear, actionable guidance for multiple audiences (leaders, teachers, home visitors and TTA providers).
• Monitor emerging research, policy updates, and field trends to inform content development and updates.

Content Integration

• Partner with subject matter experts across early learning, other National Centers and contractors, and OHS to ensure cross-disciplinary alignment and coherence.
• Prevent content silos by identifying overlap, connections, and reinforcement points across topic areas on Headstart.gov and other resource portals supported by OHS.
• Support integrated approaches that reflect how programs actually operate as systems.
• Establish guidelines to ensure content is adult-learning focused, and practice-based.
• Ensure materials are accessible, scalable, and adaptable across program options and contexts, including urban, rural, and tribal settings.

Quality Assurance & Continuous Improvement

• Work with Sr. Manager, Quality Assurance for content review, revision, and approval.
• Partner with evaluation and data teams to incorporate feedback loops and outcome data into content refinement.
• Use data and implementation feedback to identify gaps, prioritize updates, and inform future content development.

Collaboration & Leadership

• Serve as a strategic thought partner to National Center leadership and OHS on content priorities and innovation.
• Support coordination with other content creators, National Centers, communication contractors to promote alignment and reduce duplication.
• Contribute to federal reporting, planning, and strategic documents related to content development and delivery.
• Performs other duties as assigned to ensure the efficient and effective functioning of the project

ESSENTIAL SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of 5 years demonstrated experience in content strategy, curriculum development, or systems-level TTA within early childhood serving systems.
• Strong understanding of Head Start/Early Head Start, federal frameworks, and evidence-based practices.
• Experience translating research and policy into practical, field-facing resources.
• Excellent collaboration, facilitation, and written communication skills

EDUCATION

Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, public health, family studies, education, or a related field (Master’s preferred).

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

This position's salary is estimated to be mid $60,000s to low $80,000s depending on experience, geo-location, budget, and other comparable and similarly scoped internal positions. In addition to salary, ZERO TO THREE offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, HRA, retirement contributions, generous leave benefits and more.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

While performing the responsibilities of the job, the employee is frequently required to use finger dexterity and sufficient hand dexterity to use a computer keyboard and be capable of reading a computer screen. Also, they may need to remain seated for extended periods, can perform repetitive motions, and reach for objects. An employee is frequently required to hold a writing instrument, communicate verbally, and hear well enough to detect nuances and receive detailed information. They may be required to grasp objects, push, and pull objects, bend, stand, walk, squat, or kneel. Vision abilities required by this job include close vision for data preparation or analysis, and expansive reading.