Director of Early Learning Programs

You Thrive Florida•Brooksville, FL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Provides strategic leadership, operational direction, and fiscal oversight for Head Start, Early Head Start, and other assigned early learning programs. Establishes priorities that advance the agency’s mission, respond to community needs, strengthen organizational performance, and support positive outcomes for children and families. Directs program operations through supervisors, managers, and staff, fostering a collaborative, accountable, and high-performing culture. Leads strategic planning, grant writing and administration, budget development and monitoring, and continuous quality improvement. Works with the Chief Administrative Officer, executive leadership, fiscal staff, Policy Council, Governing Board, and community partners to maintain program quality, meet applicable requirements, and promote financial and operational sustainability. Oversees data-informed instructional improvement, including progress monitoring, identification of classroom instructional weaknesses, and alignment of professional development, coaching, and technical assistance with identified needs. Holds program leaders accountable for implementation and for evaluating the effects of these supports on teaching practices and child outcomes. The primary work locations are early learning program facilities in Hernando, Sumter, and/or Volusia counties, with occasional travel to other counties.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in education, early childhood education, public administration, business administration, or a related field.
Three to five years of progressively responsible experience in program administration and supervision or management.
Demonstrated experience developing and implementing program plans and supervising staff.
Experience in grant writing, including preparing narratives, coordinating application materials, developing budget justifications, and meeting deadlines.
Experience developing and monitoring program budgets, analyzing financial reports, and recommending adjustments to maintain fiscal stability.
Experience administering grants or contracts and coordinating reporting, monitoring, and compliance activities.
Experience leading progress monitoring that uses classroom observations, child assessment results, and other instructional data to identify weaknesses and guide improvement.
Experience developing, coordinating, and evaluating professional development, coaching, or technical assistance aligned with identified classroom instructional needs.
Valid Florida driver’s license and eligibility for coverage under the company’s current auto insurance policy.
Ability to meet applicable federal, state, local, and agency background screening and clearance requirements for work involving children.
Ability to work with limited direction and knowledge of community resources, budgeting, and organizational methods.
Ability to complete work accurately, evaluate programs and situations, make sound decisions in crises, and communicate effectively orally and in writing.
Ability to translate organizational priorities into actionable plans, measurable objectives, and accountable work assignments; assess challenges, evaluate alternatives, and make timely decisions.
Ability to lead organizational change, balance immediate operational needs with long-term quality and sustainability, and maintain staff engagement and continuity of services.
Strong persuasive, technical, and analytical writing skills; ability to interpret funding announcements, application instructions, award conditions, and reporting requirements.
Ability to develop proposals connecting documented needs, proposed activities, measurable outcomes, and budget requests.
Knowledge of program budgeting, financial forecasting, expenditure monitoring, budget variance analysis, grant-related fiscal controls, procurement, contract administration, and cost allocation.
Ability to interpret financial reports and explain fiscal information to nonfinancial audiences.
Knowledge of applicable Head Start, early education, and child care requirements and operating practices; ability to develop policies, procedures, and systems that support implementation and accountability.
Ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, respond to sensitive or urgent situations, analyze quantitative and qualitative information, and prepare accurate management reports.
Strong supervisory, interpersonal, public speaking, negotiation, and conflict-resolution skills; ability to establish effective relationships with staff, families, governance bodies, funders, and community partners.
Proficiency with word processing, spreadsheets, presentation software, and relevant program management systems.
Ability to interpret classroom observations and child progress data, distinguish training needs from implementation challenges and other contributing factors, and translate findings into targeted training with measurable objectives and follow-up evaluation.
Ability to provide constructive, evidence-based feedback and guide managers and instructional leaders in supporting sustained improvements in teaching practices.
Physical ability to sit and stand for long periods; use fingers, arms, hands, and legs; speak; and perform frequent walking, squatting, handling, grasping, reaching, bending, driving, and light lifting or carrying up to 15 pounds. Occasional pushing, pulling, kneeling, balancing, turning, feeling, and medium lifting or carrying up to 30 pounds are also required. Correctable eyesight and hearing are essential.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in a related field.
Five or more years of progressively responsible experience in program administration and supervision or management.
Leadership experience in Head Start, Early Head Start, early childhood education, or public school administration.
Experience managing programs supported by multiple funding sources.
A record of successful grant submissions, renewals, or funding expansions.
Experience working with governing boards, policy councils, funding agencies, and community partners.
Experience leading strategic planning, organizational change, or measurable program improvement.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for Head Start, Early Head Start, and other assigned early learning programs.
Develop, implement, and evaluate short- and long-term strategic plans, translating priorities into measurable objectives, operational plans, timelines, and assigned responsibilities.
Use community assessments, program data, family feedback, monitoring findings, and financial information to guide planning, resource allocation, and continuous improvement.
Anticipate changes in funding, enrollment, workforce availability, community needs, and regulations; develop contingency plans and recommend strategies to maintain quality and sustainability.
Evaluate proposed program changes, service expansions, and partnerships for strategic alignment, feasibility, financial impact, and sustainability.
Direct program operations through supervisors, managers, and staff; establish expectations and hold personnel accountable for service quality, compliance, and results.
Recruit, supervise, coach, and evaluate assigned staff; address performance concerns and build leadership capacity through professional development, delegation, and succession planning.
Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local requirements, Head Start Program Performance Standards, grant and contract conditions, and agency policies.
Develop, implement, and review program policies, procedures, and management systems; oversee monitoring, community assessment, self-assessment, continuous quality improvement, and corrective actions.
Lead progress monitoring using classroom observations, child assessment results, instructional implementation data, and other information to evaluate instructional quality and children’s progress.
Work with education managers, supervisors, and instructional coaches to identify classroom strengths and weaknesses and prioritize improvement needs.
Set measurable instructional improvement goals, timelines, and follow-up expectations; monitor results and direct adjustments as needed.
Align professional development, coaching, and technical assistance with identified instructional needs; ensure training includes application and follow-up support and is differentiated to staff needs.
Evaluate the effectiveness of training and coaching through observations, changes in classroom practice, and children’s progress; hold instructional leaders accountable for sustained improvement.
Identify and evaluate funding opportunities and lead development, writing, and submission of grant applications, continuation applications, proposals, supplemental funding requests, carryover requests, and amendments.
Develop grant narratives, statements of need, objectives, implementation plans, evaluation approaches, and supporting documentation; coordinate schedules, contributions, reviews, and approvals for timely and accurate submissions.
Collaborate with fiscal staff and program managers on grant budgets and justifications; oversee grant implementation, reporting, progress toward objectives, modifications, approvals, and supporting documentation.
Lead annual program budget development and multiyear financial planning; review financial reports, analyze variances, forecast results, and recommend corrective actions.
Evaluate financial implications of staffing, compensation, enrollment, service models, contracts, and major purchases; recommend allocations that balance quality, efficiency, and sustainability.
Monitor allowable expenditures, funding restrictions, matching or nonfederal share requirements, cost allocation, procurement, and adherence to approved budgets with fiscal staff.
Review contracts and agreements for programmatic alignment, financial impact, deliverables, and performance expectations; coordinate approvals and support audits, fiscal reviews, and corrective action plans.
Support Policy Council effectiveness and collaborate with the Governing Board and executive leadership on governance responsibilities, including review of policies, plans, budgets, and funding applications.
Prepare and present programmatic and financial reports on performance trends, instructional improvement, risks, resource needs, and recommendations.
Build relationships with funding agencies, community organizations, governmental entities, and other partners to strengthen services, coordinate resources, and advance program priorities.
Represent the agency at public meetings, community events, early learning coalitions, and other forums; coordinate communications, public relations, and negotiations within delegated authority.
Promote parent and family engagement, advocate for children and families, and coordinate training and presentations for staff, families, governance members, and community stakeholders.
Review safety practices, incidents, and loss trends; direct corrective actions and follow-up.
Protect confidential child, family, employee, and agency information and handle records and communications according to applicable requirements and agency policies.
Follow You Thrive Florida policies and procedures and applicable Head Start, federal, state, and local requirements, including Head Start Performance Standards and administrative directions.
Perform additional duties assigned by a supervisor, CEO, or executive-level staff, provided they do not conflict with the CAO’s directives.