Job Summary:
TheDivision Director of Early Education and Careprovide strategic leadership oversight and administrative management for all earlyeducation programs within the organization. This role ensures compliance with state and federal regulations drives program quality and fosters environments that promote school readiness family engagement and child interpretation and implementation of all aspects of Head Start Performance Standards DEEC regulations funding sourcerequirementsand policies/practices. Work in partnership with management team for the common goal ofprogramsexcellence.
Responsible for the administration and management of all aspects of the Head Start and Early Head Start Programs in accordance with state and federal regulations as well as oversight of the Perrault Childcare Center and the Child and Family Community Engagement (CFCE) grant through EEC. Collaborate with the agencys senior management team to lead and align early learning initiatives with the agencys mission ensuring that all policies and procedures demonstrate integrity and ethical behavior.
iEssential Functions and Key Responsibilities:
Strategic Leadership & Vision
Provide strategic direction oversight and leadership for all Early Learning Programs ensuring alignment with organizational goalsmission and longterm growth.
Lead division wide planning budgeting and resource allocation to ensure highquality service delivery.
Develop and implement innovative strategies that promote school readiness child development and family engagement. Develop implement and ensure compliance with policies procedures and regulations aligned with federal and state laws.
Lead program planning in collaboration with staff Policy Council and Board.
Ensure mandatory reporting of child abuse and neglect in accordance with legal requirements.
Maintain regular and effective communication with the Board and Policy Council.
Build and maintain partnerships with community organizations.
Represent the program in external meetings coalitions and community forums.
Maintain membership and participation with the Mass Head Start Association
Operational & Administrative Management
Oversee program budgets grants contracts and financial compliance ensuring responsible stewardship of resources.
Support the development of policies procedures and systems that improve efficiency and accountability.
Ensure effective communication across the divisionand withorganizational leadership.
Program Oversight & Quality Assurance
Oversee the design implementation and evaluation of early education programs ensuring they meet or exceed quality standards.
Monitor program performance using data-driven systems continuous quality improvement practices and evidencebased models.
Ensure environments support childrens cognitive socialemotional and physical development.
Oversee a management system that ensures QualityMentoring;Teaching and Learning practices which support professional development for achieving positive teacher outcomes.
Conduct Community Needs Assessments to inform program design and services.
Guide strategic planning efforts and ongoing program evaluation.
Build and maintain partnerships with community organizations
Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management
Ensure full compliance with federal state and local regulations including licensing health and safety standards and applicable early education policies.
Oversee internal audits monitoring visits and corrective action plans to address findings and mitigate risk.
Maintain detailed documentation and reporting for all regulatory and funding entities.
Staff Leadership & Development
Supervise mentor and evaluate program managers coordinators and other key staff within the division.
Lead workforce planning recruitment and professional development initiatives and plans tomaintaina highly skilled early childhood team.
Foster a positive collaborative and inclusive workplace culture.
Provides oversight for the Child Development Coaches including design implementation and training.
Lead and supervise staff within the Early Learning Division to ensure high-quality education and comprehensive services for children and families.
Ensure open communication with parents and families promoting empowerment by connecting them with resources that address their needs and concerns.
Attend and participate in trainings conferences and other professional development activities.
Remain current on Head Start policies procedures and evidence-based best practices to support program excellence.
Family & Community Engagement
Promote strong family engagement strategies that support parents as partners in their childrens education and wellbeing.
Strengthen partnerships with school districts community agencies funders and state/local early education systems to enhance programming.
Represent the organization at community events coalitions and advisory groups related to early childhood education.
Data Reporting & Accountability
Utilize data systems to track outcomesmonitortrends and inform decisionmaking.
Prepare and present reports to executive leadership the board of directors and regulatory bodies.
Lead the divisions efforts to achieve andmaintainaccreditation performance standards and quality benchmarks.
Responsible for the overall analysis of data for School Readiness and submission of summary report.
Support governance bodies by providing data-driven insights to inform decision-making
Work closely with the agencys fiscal team to develop and maintain a balanced budget.
Manage the program budget and ensure fiscal integrity and accountability.
Meet non-federal share requirements and seek supplemental funding opportunities.
Prepare funding applications and ensure accurate monitoring and reporting to funding sources as required.
Equity Inclusion & Child WellBeing
Championequitablepractices and ensure culturally responsive programming for children and families.
Safeguard the physical emotional and developmental wellbeing of all children enrolled in early education programs.
Promote traumainformed care practices and support socialemotional learning frameworks.
Skills and Qualifications:
Qualifications
Bachelors Degree (Masterspreferred) in Early Childhood Education or related field to administer a comprehensive early childhood program required
Minimumof five years in supervision of staff fiscal management and administration.
Ability to serve as the Head Start director as defined by federal regulations.
Ability to prepare monitor and report on funding applications.
Department of Early Education & Care (DEEC)Director II qualificationsrequired(knowledge of DEEC & Head Start regulationsa plus).
Excellent communication organizational leadership and grant writing skills.
Flexibleschedule is required to meet the needs of our children and families including some evenings/weekends.
CPR and First Aid certificates preferred or ability tomaintainCPR/ FA within30 daysof hire.
Show documented proof of current physical exam negative TBtestand proof of MMR immunity. (Hepatitis B immunity is advisable).
Must have a suitable CORI SORI & DCF background check on file prior to employment.
Must have a suitable fingerprint check completed prior to employment.
Ability to work effectively with and meet the needs of people from a wide range of backgrounds identities cultures nationalities and languages that make-up the rich complexity of GLCAC employees partners in the community and clientele. Everyone is responsible for supporting the agencys mission of building an environment of fairness and opportunity where people are valued for their unique contributions.
Other:
Supervisory Responsibility: CFCE Coordinator Head Start Content Managers Childcare Center Director Early Learning Fiscal Team Transportation Manager
Travel: Required
Physical Demands: This job regularly requires the employee to sit walk and stand as well as use hands repetitively to handle or operate standard office equipment.
Work Environment: This job operates in a professional office environment and uses standard office equipment such as computers phones photocopiers filing cabinets fax machines.
Required Experience:
Director