The Program Director is the principal investigator of the Head Start/Early Head Start program and is responsible for its overall leadership and management. The position directs, administers and manages the day-to-day program operations. Responsibilities include direct and indirect staff supervision, budget and fiscal assets management, and building, leading and managing team support and performance. The Program Director leads all program options, including center-based and home-based services, as well as compliance with donor and Head Start policies and procedures.
As a frontline representative of Save the Children, the Program Director is required to ensure the safety and security of children and families that he/she comes in contact with adhering to the agency’s values of Accountability, Ambition, Collaboration, Creativity, and Integrity.
As a Save the Children employee who will come into contact with children on a routine basis, you are expected to prevent child abuse in every situation by striving, through mental awareness, good practice and training to minimize risk to children. You must take positive steps to protect children who may be a subject of concern and report and respond to any instance of child abuse and promote training and awareness around all child safeguarding obligations.
- Lead in the design, development, execution, promotion and reporting aspects of the program's services to families, children, the community and other partner
- Lead the management team and make timely and appropriate management decision Develop and implement short and long-range goals and objectives.
- Monitor effectiveness of operations; conduct periodic reviews of programs for progress and adherence to compliance; and recommend and implement improvements.
- Guide, direct and authorize the implementation of major plans, standards and procedures consistent with the established policies approved by the Governing Board and Policy Council
- Develop and implement procedures and controls to promote communication and effective information flow within the organization, enabling program goals to be obtained efficiently.
- Review overall program operations regularly and convey information and outcomes to the Save the Children Head Start Leadership, Governing Board and Policy Council
- Ensure all program activities are carried out in compliance with local, state and federal regulations and laws pertaining to programmatic operation
- Establish and maintain relationships and partnerships with public schools, community agencies and other stakeholders.
- Represent organization through participation on local, state and national committees and boards. Develop collaborative relationships with community partners to enhance delivery of comprehensive services to children and families.
- Assist with preparation and development of program budgets and federal/state grant submissions.
- Protect the safety of children by ensuring implementation of active supervision techniques to ensure no child is left alone or unsupervised at any time.
- Perform other duties as may be assigned.
- Minimum 7 years of progressively responsible supervisory/management experience including working with boards and advisory committees.
- Good communication and skills (open, honest, objective and good listener with team management approach to clear goals and objectives).
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.
Clear criminal records check (including child abuse registry check if required by state regulations) and pass all state and local health requirements required post job offer and prior to employment. To drive agency vehicles (if applicable), must have a valid driver’s license and be insurable by the Save the Children Head Start insurance carrier and have a Motor Vehicle Record acceptable to Save the Children Head Start. Current and former Head Start/Early Head Start parents will receive preference for employment vacancies for which they are qualified.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s degree preferred in management, early childhood development, human services or a related field.
- Previous Head Start management experience is preferred.
- Aetna Medical and Dental insurance with a concierge service
- Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
- Vision Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Employee Assistance Program
- Paid Holidays
What makes us special!
- Generous Retirement Savings with matching company contributions
- Pet Insurance, Critical Illness Insurance, Identity Protection, Home, Auto and additional Life insurances
- Leadership and Employee Development Training, including:
- Our remarkable in-house CORE, Senior Management Development, and Leadership Development Programs
- Language learning opportunities
- Continuous Improvement skill development programs
- Brown Bag information sharing sessions