Deputy Director

Acelero Learning • Louisville, KY

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Shine Early Learning is seeking a Deputy Director in Kentucky to provide overall leadership to an interdisciplinary team of family engagement and health staff and ensure implementation of Acelero Learning’s family engagement approach. The role uses strategic planning, operational planning, innovation, and follow-through to deliver high-quality two-generation strategies that improve child and family outcomes and support school readiness. The Deputy Director also contributes to the success and quality of Head Start classrooms throughout the program.

The Deputy Director oversees Head Start service-area leadership and initiatives, supports staff development through training, supervision, and coaching, and monitors program implementation, data quality, compliance, and expenditures. The position involves collaboration with organizational leaders, community partners, families, and public agencies. It is based in Louisville, Kentucky, with local or long-distance work-related travel of up to 10% of the time. The anticipated start is Fall 2026.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, family and child development, social work, public health, or a related field.
• Five years of experience in program management, including operational and team management and continuous improvement for early childhood programs.
• Experience leading and inspiring a highly effective team, with a strong commitment to staff development.
• Physical exam and background checks are required.
• Travel locally or long-distance up to 10% of the time for work-related meetings and functions.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree preferred.
• Experience with Head Start, Early Head Start, and special education strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Collect and analyze data to inform decision-making and program improvement; support staff individually and in groups with educational initiatives and coaching.
• Collaborate with Human Resources and the Senior Director of Partnership Management to plan and oversee interviewing, hiring, and onboarding for family services and health positions.
• Collaborate with the Director of Family Services and Health to develop eligibility, recruitment, selection, enrollment, and intake systems, and create a recruitment plan to achieve full enrollment.
• Work with the Senior Director of Partnership Management to advance internal systems and external partnerships so children receive preventive care, follow-up evaluations and treatment, and access to medical and dental homes and health insurance.
• Support training and partnerships for on-site health screenings and exams within required Head Start Performance Standards timelines when children lack community access to those services.
• Ensure child files are created and maintained according to Head Start requirements and local licensing requirements.
• Plan and implement initial, differentiated, and sequential professional development for family services and health staff; support use of competency-based Success Rubrics and reflective coaching and supervision models.
• Implement policies, procedures, and tools that support program implementation and high-quality service delivery during and after program start-up.
• Develop Memorandums of Understanding with community-based organizations that provide referrals to the Head Start program and specify services and each organization’s roles and responsibilities.
• Establish Center Parent Committees and assist the Head Start Director in forming an active grantee-level Policy Council; support development of a Health Services Advisory Committee.
• Support family engagement quality through professional development, supervision, and coaching to implement the Family Services & Health approach.
• Implement a research-based curriculum that extends classroom learning into the home and models high-quality adult-child interactions for families around four Family Life Practices.
• Identify continuous quality improvement strategies to strengthen execution and staff capacity in vendor programs.
• Monitor data quality and reliability at family, coach, center, and program levels; conduct qualitative audits and review trends to assess strategy execution and ensure compliance with Head Start Performance Standards and program plans and procedures.
• Manage Head Start service-area leadership and initiatives, including timely support for children with atypical needs; family education and outreach aligned with education goals; effective family engagement, health, and wellness efforts; and timely screenings and follow-up.
• Contribute to partner and Shine Early Learning leadership, grantee planning, network collaboration, and external community relationships.
• Monitor expenditures to support fiscal management.
• Participate in assigned meetings, events, and training.
• Supervise assigned department personnel, including hiring, training, scheduling, evaluating, and ensuring timely, accurate completion of work.
• Educate direct reports on department and company policies and procedures; meet with staff regularly to resolve problems, manage projects, track goals, and review work processes.
• Represent the team or department at meetings, events, and training.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance with multiple plan options.
• Health Savings Account with company contributions up to $400 per individual and $800 per family annually.
• Flexible Spending Accounts for health and dependent care expenses.
• 401(k) retirement plan with up to 3% company match.
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance and basic life insurance.
• Professional development reimbursements up to $500 per year.
• Employee Assistance Program with counseling and mental wellness support.
• Wellness programs, including virtual fitness, nutrition, and mindfulness classes.
• Pet insurance, legal assistance, ID theft protection, and employee discount perks.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager