Director of Early Learning and Supportive Services
About The Position
The Director of Early Learning and Supportive Services is a newly created high-level strategic leadership role responsible for the operational excellence of Wu Yee’s center-based, family child care home education network and home visiting programs. This role ensures that every child receives comprehensive support through a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) framework, integrating high-quality instruction, special education inclusion, mental health, and health services. As a key guardian of program quality, you will oversee an assistant director and specialized service managers to ensure that all program options meet the highest standards of the Head Start/Early Head Start Performance Standards, City and State funding, fostering an environment where every child and staff member can thrive. Reporting to the Chief Program Officer, the Director of Early Learning and SupportiveServices has an Associate Director of Early Learning, and three manager level direct reports with 150+ staff reporting up from 12 Head Start Child Development Centers. We are seeking a systems level leader with enterprise operational leadership within mission-driven child and family systems. Candidates with multilingual abilities, experience working in immigrant communities, and deep understanding of the cultural strengths of San Francisco families are strongly encouraged to apply.
Requirements
- 7–10 years of progressive leadership in Early Childhood Education, Special Education, or Program Administration, with at least 5 years of experience managing multi-site operations and specialized service teams.
- Experience managing managers.
- Bachelor’s Degree in ECE, Educational Leadership, Social Work, or a related field required; Master’s Degree highly preferred.
- California Child Development Program Director Permit holder required.
- Deep, masterful knowledge of Head Start Performance Standards (HSPS), Title 22 licensing, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as it pertains to early learning.
- Advanced skills in program databases like Child Plus and office productivity and project management tools (Office 365, Asana, G Suite).
- Proven track record of working with diverse, low-income, and immigrant populations; deep understanding of the unique strengths and needs of the San Francisco communities.
- The ability to design and synchronize complex service delivery models—health, inclusion, and education—into a single, high-functioning program experience.
- Proficiency in managing large, decentralized teams (Regional Managers) while maintaining high standards of accountability and professional culture.
- The ability to translate complex child health and educational data into strategic staffing and training interventions.
- The agility to lead through health emergencies, facility challenges, or regulatory shifts with grounded, decisive action.
- Exceptional verbal and written skills; bilingual/biliterate proficiency in Cantonese or Spanish is highly preferred to effectively interface with our community.
- Regularly required to travel between different sites in San Francisco; must be able to move through active childcare environments and occasionally lift up to 50 lbs.
- Regularly required to solve complex logistical and clinical problems under tight deadlines; must maintain emotional maturity and professional composure in high-stakes regulatory environments.
- Ability to function effectively in professional office settings, active childcare centers, and community environments.
Nice To Haves
- bilingual/biliterate proficiency in Cantonese or Spanish is highly preferred
Responsibilities
- Provide strategic direction to an Assistant Director, three Regional Managers to ensure consistency in all direct service programs operations, safety, and pedagogical implementation across all direct service programs.
- Align the workflows of MTSS, Inclusion, and Health Services to ensure a holistic approach to child development; ensure specialized supports are seamlessly integrated into daily classroom and home-based routines.
- Oversee the Inclusion Manager to ensure 100% compliance with IDEA requirements, including the timely identification of disabilities and the implementation of IEPs/IFSPs within inclusive settings.
- Direct the Home Based Manager to ensure high-quality service delivery for the Early Head Start home-based option, maintaining fidelity to the curriculum and family engagement standards.
- Oversee the Health Services Manager to ensure all children receive required screenings, immunizations, and dental/medical follow-ups as mandated by OHS and Title 5.
- Serve as the agency’s primary subject matter expert for Head Start/Early Head Start Performance Standards; lead the preparation for federal reviews and state monitoring visits.
- Lead the MTSS Manager in developing and scaling a data-driven framework for behavioral interventions, social-emotional learning, and tiered academic support.
- Collaborates with peers and key stakeholders to synchronize pedagogical goals across all early learning programs, ensuring a unified and consistent approach to child development and family support.
Benefits
- Fully paid employee health, dental, and vision
- 403b with matching contribution after 1 year (6 %)
- 14 days holidays
- 15 days of paid vacation
- Generous sick leave
- Employee child care slots at reduced tuition on an as available basis
- Lots of opportunities for advancement across the organization.
- Extensive paid training and professional development
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
