Director of Early Childhood Programs

This role presents a significant leadership opportunity for an experienced early childhood professional to oversee a comprehensive portfolio of education and family services programs, including Head Start, Early Head Start, Voluntary Pre-K, School Readiness, and Court Care initiatives. The Director of Early Childhood Programs will provide strategic and operational leadership to ensure the delivery of high-quality, outcomes-driven services that align with the organization’s mission and values. With a strong emphasis on regulatory compliance, staff development, and continuous quality improvement, this position plays a critical role in advancing school readiness and family engagement across multiple sites.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day operational and strategic oversight of all early childhood education and family services programs, ensuring alignment with federal, state, and local regulations and funder requirements.
• Lead implementation and monitoring of Head Start Performance Standards across all program components, including education, family engagement, health, mental health, and disabilities services.
• Build, lead, and sustain high-performing, multidisciplinary teams across multiple locations, fostering collaboration, accountability, and professional growth.
• Oversee curriculum implementation, program enhancements, and school readiness initiatives to ensure consistent, high-quality learning experiences.
• Partner with the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer to develop, manage, and monitor program budgets; ensure fiscal accountability and sustainability across all funding sources.
• Prepare, submit, and monitor grant applications, annual program applications, corrective action plans, self-assessments, training and technical assistance plans, and required funder reports.
• Drive continuous quality improvement through data collection, analysis, trend reporting, and outcome-based program planning.
• Ensure staff credentialing, licensing, and professional development requirements are met and maintained; develop and implement ongoing training programs to support compliance and excellence.
• Serve as a key liaison with community partners, school districts, funders, and regulatory agencies to support families, staff, and program growth.
• Oversee recruitment, onboarding, supervision, coaching, and performance management of program leadership and site-based staff.
• Provide oversight of Court Care and KidSpace programs, including enrollment management, revenue monitoring, budget oversight, and funder reporting.
• Conduct regular site visits to ensure safe, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate environments for children and families.