Early Learning Licensing Manager

Alliance for Community Empowerment Inc•Bridgeport, CT

14h

About The Position

Provides leadership and oversight to ensure Early Learning Division programs operate in full compliance with federal, state, and local licensing, health, safety, and facilities requirements. The Early Learning Licensing Manager ensures that compliance efforts are coordinated, data-driven, and embedded into daily operations, maintaining safe, licensed, and high-quality learning environments. This role is responsible for child supervision and for keeping children safe.

Requirements

Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in licensing, compliance monitoring, health and safety, or regulatory oversight within early childhood or human services programs.
Supervisory experience required.
In-depth knowledge of CT OEC licensing regulations, Head Start Performance Standards, DPH, DCF, and OSHA requirements.
Strong understanding of facilities compliance, environmental health, and safety standards in early learning settings.
Demonstrated ability to analyze compliance data and translate findings into corrective action.
Proficient in Microsoft Office and data tracking systems.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including report writing.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities across sites.
Must have a valid CT driver’s license with a good driving record and willingness to travel.
Must be able to lift a child with an average weight of 50 pounds, if necessary.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Public Health, Human Services, Facilities Management, or a related field preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide division-wide oversight of licensing, health, safety, and regulatory compliance across all Early Learning sites.
Interpret and apply applicable regulations, including CT Office of Early Childhood (OEC) licensing statutes, Head Start Performance Standards, DPH, DCF, and OSHA regulations.
Serve as a subject-matter expert on compliance requirements and ensure consistent implementation across sites.
Directly supervise Licensing Specialists, including assignment of sites, workload management, performance evaluation, coaching, and professional development.
Ensure Licensing Specialists conduct timely, thorough, and documented site visits, inspections, and follow-up monitoring.
Standardize monitoring tools, reporting formats, and documentation practices to ensure consistency and accountability.
Work closely with the Facilities/Maintenance Manager to identify and prioritize compliance-related repairs, capital needs, and environmental health and safety issues; track corrective actions related to licensing, inspections, and monitoring findings; coordinate site readiness for inspections, renovations, temporary closures, or re-openings; and participate in walkthroughs and compliance planning related to facilities projects, emergencies, or environmental concerns.
Handle application requests and license renewals for Early Learning childcare licensing.
Oversee the development, tracking, and closure of corrective action plans (CAPs), quality improvement plans (QIPs), and licensing follow-ups.
Review and analyze compliance data, inspection trends, citations, and incident reports to identify systemic risks and improvement opportunities.
Prepare compliance summaries, dashboards, and reports for senior leadership, Policy Council, Board of Directors, and funders, as required.
Coordinate and/or facilitate training for Site Managers, supervisors, staff, and parents related to licensing, health and safety, child supervision, and regulatory requirements.
Provide targeted technical assistance to sites with repeated or high-risk findings.
Ensure new and existing staff understand compliance expectations and documentation standards.
Assist in reviewing, updating, and implementing policies and procedures related to licensing, health, safety, and facilities compliance.
Ensure policies align with current regulations and operational practices.
Identify resources and foster partnerships with other related agencies/programs.
Perform other related duties as necessary to support program compliance and quality.