Program Lead

Job Summary

The Program Lead oversees all programmatic and staffing operations of an early care and education center ensuring high-quality services for infants toddlers and/or school-age children. This role is responsible for program planning implementation assessment and continuous improvement while maintaining a safe healthy and inclusive environment. The Program Lead serves as a classroom and program leader providing coaching mentoring observation and feedback to teaching staff to ensure consistent high-quality programming. The role also supports center operations such as enrollment attendance staffing purchasing and community engagement. Program Leads spend approximately 33% of their time working directly in ratio based on center needs.

Essential Job Functions

Program Quality

• Communicate program vision mission philosophy and curriculum approaches to staff families schools and community partners

• Ensure consistent and high-quality documentation practices including observations lesson plans assessments and reviews

• Support and mentor teaching staff in developing implementing and evaluating program action plans

• Collaborate with staff to create enriched culturally responsive indoor and outdoor learning environments that meet industry standards

• Assess program quality curriculum implementation health and safety practices and licensing compliance; implement continuous improvement strategies

• Lead and participate in quality rating and improvement systems for applicable programs

• Maintain knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices and relevant curriculum frameworks

• Use observations and assessment tools to support individualized child growth plans

• Support positive behavior approaches in partnership with families and staff

• Maintain classroom coverage in ratio as required

Managing Coaching & Supporting Staff

• Manage and support a team of teaching staff based on center size and enrollment

• Provide ongoing coaching mentoring and performance feedback

• Conduct timely performance evaluations and professional check-ins

• Facilitate effective team meetings that promote collaboration and accountability

• Observe classroom practices and provide immediate constructive feedback

• Provide on-site modeling and mentoring to support curriculum and instructional quality

• Support onboarding orientation and retention of new staff

• Develop professional growth plans and align individual and team goals with organizational priorities

• Address performance concerns through corrective action plans when needed

Leadership

• Commit to continuous professional growth in leadership curriculum and child development

• Participate in and lead professional development initiatives and share best practices

• Act as a change leader to support organizational improvements and initiatives

• Foster team engagement morale and a positive workplace culture

• Mentor staff for future leadership opportunities

• Support recruitment efforts through strong relationships with families schools and community partners

Family & Community Partnerships

• Build authentic culturally responsive relationships with children families and community partners

• Support family engagement opportunities and advisory participation

• Serve as a representative in school and community activities

• Assess community needs and adjust programming to better serve families

• Maintain open two-way communication with families regarding child development and program activities

• Provide parent education and connect families to community resources

• Participate in advocacy efforts supporting children and families

Compliance

• Ensure compliance with all applicable policies procedures licensing regulations and funding requirements

• Maintain required staff-to-child ratios and health and safety standards

• Protect organizational assets and resources

Business Management

• Forecast staffing needs and support hiring and onboarding efforts

• Support staff scheduling purchasing and operational planning

• Maintain enrollment and attendance goals

• Identify opportunities to improve program performance enrollment and operational efficiency

• Support budget oversight and purchasing guidelines

Education & Experience

Education

• High School Diploma or GED with required early childhood education units or

• Associate or Bachelors degree with required ECE/CD administration and adult supervision units

• Site Supervisor Permit preferred or willingness to obtain upon hire

• Ongoing professional development required

Experience

• 23 years of experience in an early childhood education or child development setting

• Minimum of 1 year of experience mentoring coaching or supervising adults

Other Qualifications

• Ability to complete required orientation and mandated training

• Ability to meet background clearance and health screening requirements

• Strong understanding of child development cultural responsiveness and inclusive practices

• Excellent interpersonal communication and leadership skills

• Strong initiative motivation and strategic thinking abilities

• Ability to coach mentor and manage staff effectively

• Strong organizational budgeting and planning skills

• Commitment to high-quality program implementation and continuous improvement

• Bilingual or multilingual skills preferred