Deputy Director

Acelero Learning•Louisville, KY

1d•$80,000 - $86,000•Onsite

About The Position

Shine Early Learning is hiring a Deputy Director in Kentucky to lead an interdisciplinary team of family engagement and health staff and ensure implementation of Acelero Learning’s family engagement approach. The role applies strategic and operational planning, innovation, and follow-through to deliver high-quality two-generation strategies that improve child and family outcomes, ensure school readiness, and support high-quality Head Start classrooms. The Deputy Director oversees Head Start service-area leadership and initiatives, including family engagement, health and wellness, developmental screenings and follow-up, services for children with atypical needs, and compliance with Head Start Performance Standards and program policies. The role also supports staff development and coaching, community partnerships, program quality improvement, data-informed decision-making, and fiscal oversight. The position is based in Louisville, Kentucky, with local or long-distance work-related travel of up to 10%. The expected start period 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 examination and background checks are required.
Local or long-distance travel for work-related meetings and functions, up to 10% of the time.
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 program improvement, and provide individual and group support to staff implementing 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 service and health staffing positions.
Collaborate with the Director of Family Services and Health to develop eligibility, recruitment, selection, and enrollment/intake systems, including a comprehensive recruitment plan to achieve full enrollment.
Work with the Senior Director of Partnership Management to advance internal systems and external partnerships supporting children’s preventive care, follow-up evaluation and treatment, access to medical and dental homes, and health insurance.
Support training and partnerships for on-site health screenings and exams for children who lack community access to those services, within required timelines.
Ensure child files are created and maintained according to the Head Start program’s table of contents and local licensing requirements.
Collaborate with the Senior Director of Partnership Management to plan and implement initial, differentiated, and sequential professional development for family service 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 through start-up and transition phases and sustain high-quality service delivery.
Develop memorandums of understanding with community-based organizations that enable referrals to the Head Start program and define services and each organization’s roles and responsibilities.
Ensure Center Parent Committees are established and assist the Head Start Director in forming an active grantee-level Policy Council; support development of a Health Services Advisory Committee.
Support quality family engagement through professional development, supervision, and coaching to implement the Family Services & Health approach.
Implement a research-based curriculum extending classroom learning into the home and model high-quality adult-child interactions for families around four Family Life Practices.
Identify strategies and continuous quality improvement processes that strengthen execution and staff capacity in vendor programs.
Monitor data quality and reliability at family, coach, center, and program levels; conduct qualitative audits, review trends, assess program strategy execution, and ensure compliance with Head Start Performance Standards and the program’s Integrated Service Plan, policies, and procedures.
Manage Head Start service-area leadership and oversee initiatives addressing children with atypical needs, family education and outreach, family engagement, health and wellness, school readiness, healthy development, screenings, and timely follow-up.
Contribute to partner and Shine Early Learning professional excellence through grantee planning and leadership, network collaboration, and external community relationships.
Monitor expenditures to ensure fiscal management.
Participate in assigned meetings, events, and training.
Supervise assigned department personnel, including hiring, training, scheduling, evaluating, and ensuring the accuracy, timeliness, and completion of direct reports’ work.
Educate direct reports about department and company policies and procedures.
Meet regularly with assigned staff to identify and resolve problems, manage projects, track goals, and review work processes and procedures.
Represent the team or department at meetings, events, and training as required.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision insurance with multiple plan options.
Health Savings Account with company contributions up to $400 annually for individuals and $800 annually for families.
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.
Identity theft protection.
Employee discount perks.