Asst Program Director

Save the Children US•Portland, IN

About The Position

The Assistant Program Director assists the Program Director of Head Start with overall program operations to ensure compliance with Head Start Program Performance Standards, Child Care Licensing Requirements, and Save the Children policies and procedures. The role provides direct supervision, leadership, guidance, and monitoring, including involvement in recruitment and selection, employee training and onboarding, performance coaching and evaluation, delegation, and conflict resolution. It promotes teamwork and cooperation and supports a safe and secure environment for children and families. The position supports the design, implementation, oversight, and reporting of services for children and families; monitors program sites and operations; and contributes to program planning, quality improvement, budgets, grants, compliance, and community partnerships. It may represent the organization in the Program Director’s absence. The role also requires routine contact with children and a commitment to child safeguarding, including prevention, reporting, and response to concerns about abuse.

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 working with boards and advisory committees.
Open, honest, objective, and attentive listening approach, with a team-management approach focused on clear goals and objectives.
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.
Commitment to diversity, inclusion, and belonging.
Ability to perform medium to heavy physical work: exert up to 50 pounds occasionally, 20 pounds frequently, and 5–10 pounds constantly; perform activities including sitting, crawling, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, and grasping; and perform repetitive motions, keyboarding, and computer use.
Pass required pre-employment background checks, including applicable criminal records, sex offender registry, employment, education, and child abuse registry checks, as well as applicable post-offer state and local health requirements.
Maintain a valid driver’s license and comply with Save the Children vehicle-operation policies if driving is required for essential job functions.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Assist with the design, development, implementation, oversight, promotion, and reporting of program services for children, families, community partners, and stakeholders.
Maintain safe, healthy, secure, and developmentally appropriate environments through regular site monitoring, inspections, and continuous quality improvement.
Oversee facility maintenance, renovation, construction, security, licensing, permits, inspections, inventory management, and vendor contracts.
Collaborate with fiscal, procurement, and site leadership on facility budgets, purchasing, equipment, supplies, and resource allocation.
Support procurement, including soliciting and reviewing quotes, lease negotiations, and contractor oversight in accordance with organizational 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 regulatory requirements.
Provide supervision and training to custodial and maintenance staff.
Assist with oversight of the Head Start program, including reviewing and revising policies, procedures, and guidelines.
Assist in developing and implementing short- and long-range goals and objectives.
Assist in developing and implementing procedures and controls that promote communication and effective information flow.
Monitor operational effectiveness, program progress, and compliance through observation, data analysis, record reviews, interviews, and other methods; recommend and implement improvements and document monitoring activities.
Assist in developing and implementing integrated management systems and organizational structures that support Head Start/Early Head Start services.
Collect and use quality data to support effective practices and measure progress toward desired program outcomes.
Provide input to training plans, grant writing, and budgets; participate in strategic planning, community assessment, and self-assessment meetings.
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.
Facilitate and provide training, coaching, and technical assistance to staff, parents, and volunteers; participate in professional development activities.
Represent the organization in the Program Director’s absence through participation on local, state, and national committees and boards; build collaborative relationships with community partners.
Support shared governance and create ways to engage parents in program activities.
Assist in regularly reviewing program operations and communicating information and outcomes to Save the Children Head Start Leadership, the Governing Board, and the Policy Council.
Ensure program activities comply with applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations.
Establish and maintain relationships with public schools, community agencies, and other stakeholders.
Assist with preparing and developing program budgets and federal and state grant submissions.
Protect children by ensuring active supervision so no child is left alone or unsupervised.
Perform other related duties as assigned.
Adhere to child safeguarding obligations, including taking steps to prevent abuse and reporting and responding to concerns or instances of abuse.

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, including an employer match of a portion of contributions for eligible employees enrolled in a High-Deductible Health Plan.
Flexible Spending Account options for health care and dependent care.
Agency-paid life and accidental death and dismemberment benefits.
Parental, adoption, 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.
Employee Assistance Program with free and confidential assessments, short-term counseling, referrals, and follow-up services.
Internal and external learning and development opportunities and mentorships.
Certification and tuition assistance.