Asst Program Director

Save the Children 2022•Portland, IN

About The Position

The Assistant Program Director supports the Head Start Program Director in the overall operation of the program, ensuring compliance with Head Start Program Performance Standards, child care licensing requirements, Save the Children policies, and applicable laws and regulations. The role provides direct supervision and leadership to staff, which may include recruitment and selection, training, onboarding, performance coaching and evaluation, delegation, and conflict resolution. It promotes teamwork and cooperation and contributes to a safe, inclusive, and effective working environment. The position helps design, develop, implement, oversee, and report on services for children and families. It monitors program quality and compliance, supports continuous improvement, manages or coordinates facilities and resources, and contributes to budgets, grant submissions, training, and organizational planning. The Assistant Program Director also builds partnerships with families, schools, community agencies, and other stakeholders, and may represent the organization when the Program Director is absent. The role carries child-safeguarding responsibilities. The employee must help prevent abuse, protect children who may be at risk, report and respond to suspected abuse, and promote awareness of safeguarding obligations. The position may require operating a motor vehicle and maintaining a valid driver’s license.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in management, early childhood development, human services, or a related field.
At least 5 years of relevant experience.
Progressively responsible supervisory or management experience, including experience working with boards and advisory committees.
Professional proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
Professional proficiency in spoken and written English.
Ability to communicate and collaborate with individuals and teams at all levels.
Demonstrated commitment to diversity, inclusion, and belonging.
Ability to meet pre-employment background-check requirements, including applicable criminal records, sex offender registry, employment, education, and child abuse registry checks, as well as state and local health requirements.
If required to operate a motor vehicle for essential job functions, maintain a valid driver’s license and comply with Save the Children vehicle-safety policies.
Ability to perform medium to heavy physical work: exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, 20 pounds frequently, and 5–10 pounds constantly; perform activities including sitting, crawling, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, repetitive motions, keyboarding, and computer use.

Nice To Haves

Previous Head Start management experience.
Experience developing collaborative relationships with community partners.

Responsibilities

Assist the Program Director with the design, development, implementation, oversight, promotion, and reporting of program services for children, families, community partners, and stakeholders.
Ensure program sites maintain safe, healthy, secure, and developmentally appropriate environments through monitoring, inspections, and continuous quality improvement.
Oversee facility maintenance, renovation, construction, security, licensing, permits, inspections, inventory, and vendor contracts.
Collaborate with fiscal, procurement, and site leadership on facility budgets, purchasing, equipment, supplies, and resource allocation.
Support procurement activities, including soliciting and reviewing quotes, negotiating leases, and overseeing contractors in accordance with policies and funding requirements.
Ensure implementation and documentation of safety, emergency preparedness, and risk management procedures, including compliance with ADA, OSHA, playground safety, and other requirements.
Provide supervision and training to custodial and maintenance staff, as applicable.
Assist with oversight of the Head Start program, including reviewing and revising policies, procedures, and guidelines.
Help develop and implement short- and long-range goals, objectives, procedures, and controls that support communication and effective information flow.
Monitor operational effectiveness, program progress, and compliance through observation, data analysis, record reviews, interviews, and other methods; document monitoring and recommend and implement improvements.
Support integrated management systems and organizational structures for administering Head Start and Early Head Start services.
Collect and use quality data to support effective practices and measure progress toward program outcomes.
Contribute to program training plans, grant writing, budgets, strategic planning, community assessment, and self-assessment.
Create, file, and maintain required reports and documentation; compose and proofread correspondence and reports.
Review and approve purchasing agreements or contracts when the Program Director is unavailable, ensuring bids are solicited in accordance with state and federal regulations.
Provide training, coaching, and technical assistance to staff, parents, and volunteers, and participate in professional development.
Represent the organization in the Program Director’s absence on local, state, and national committees and boards.
Develop collaborative relationships with community partners to improve comprehensive services for children and families.
Support shared governance and create ways to engage parents in program activities.
Review program operations and convey information and outcomes to Save the Children Head Start Leadership, the Governing Board, and Policy Council.
Ensure program activities comply with local, state, and federal laws and regulations.
Establish and maintain partnerships with public schools, community agencies, and other stakeholders.
Help prepare program budgets and federal and state grant submissions.
Ensure active supervision practices are implemented so that no child is left alone or unsupervised.
Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

Paid time off, including 10 days of winter break, 5 days of spring break, 5 personal days, 11 holidays, and 2 floating holidays per year.
Health, dental, and vision coverage for employees and their families.
Employer-paid short-term and long-term disability benefits.
Health Savings Account option, with the employer matching a portion of contributions for eligible employees enrolled in a High-Deductible Health Plan.
Health care and dependent care Flexible Spending Account options.
Agency-paid life and accidental death and dismemberment benefits.
Parental and adoption benefits and fertility benefits.
Annual merit increases and/or additional incentives for eligible employees.
Retirement savings plan with employer contributions after one year.
Wellness support through Calm and company-hosted events.
Free and confidential Employee Assistance Program assessments, short-term counseling, referrals, and follow-up services.
Internal and external learning and development opportunities and mentorships.
Certification and tuition assistance.