Associate Program Manager - School Readiness

Southwest Human Development • Phoenix, AZ

38d

About The Position

Southwest Human Development is Arizona’s largest nonprofit dedicated to early
childhood development. The first five years of life are the most critical in a
child’s development. At Southwest Human Development, our services improve lives
and help families by supporting young children and their caregivers during this
important time.

Your skills, experience, and passion are needed at one of the nation’s largest
nonprofits dedicated to early childhood development. Join our team and
experience a long-term career that brings joy and satisfaction in knowing you
make a difference.  We offer over 40 programs and services to more than 140,000
children.

We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Associate Program Manager - School
Readiness to oversee and enhance service delivery across our district sites.
This role involves supervising Center Directors, ensuring compliance with safety
standards, curriculum fidelity, and teaching quality, and proactively addressing
concerns from staff, families, and children. The ideal candidate will possess
strong leadership skills, a background in Early Childhood Education, and a
commitment to continuous improvement.

Requirements

• Associate's or better in Early Childhood Education or related field.
• Minimum 2 years of supervisory experience in ECE programming.
• Knowledge of early childhood developmentally appropriate practice (DAP).
• The equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted.
• Knowledge of Head Start Performance Standards.
• Certification in First Aid/CPR, Food Handler’s Card, and Fingerprint Clearance Card required.
• Functional knowledge of Arizona Childcare Licensing Requirements.

Nice To Haves

• Ability to speak, write, and read Spanish preferred

Responsibilities

• Provide daily oversight of service delivery across district sites to ensure smooth, efficient, and high-quality operations.
• Supervise and coach Child Development Managers (CDMs) through consistent feedback, leadership development, and reflective supervision.
• Monitor and enforce safety compliance, curriculum fidelity, and teaching quality in alignment with program standards.
• Serve as a key problem-solver, addressing concerns promptly and professionally from staff, families, and children.
• Conduct weekly site visits and analyze operational data to identify service delivery trends and address systemic issues.
• Facilitate weekly one-on-one coaching sessions with CDMs to evaluate performance, discuss progress, and support growth.
• Lead monthly reviews of district-wide performance, operational data, and child development progress to identify areas for improvement.
• Organize and deliver professional development opportunities for CDMs based on monthly performance reviews and goals.
• Conduct comprehensive annual evaluations of service delivery, curriculum implementation, and CDM performance.
• Collaborate with leadership to develop long-term strategic plans, set organizational goals, and enhance communication across teams.

Benefits

• You will be rewarded with benefits, including day one zero contribution health plan options, wellness programming, and generous paid time off.
• You will benefit from high-quality paid training to promote professional growth and development.
• You will enjoy a supportive and collaborative work environment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: Associate degree