Head Start Director

North Idaho College•Chesterfield, MO

1d•$74,586 - $85,849•Onsite

About The Position

Lead a mission-driven program that makes a lasting difference for children and families across North Idaho. As NIC's Head Start Director, this position provides vision, leadership, and strategic direction for a comprehensive early childhood program while ensuring services meet the needs of children, families, and communities. The role oversees program planning, implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement while maintaining compliance with Head Start Program Performance Standards, federal regulations, and college policies. Key responsibilities include guiding program leaders through mentoring, professional development, and performance management; overseeing program operations, financial performance, facilities, and outcomes; and leading annual grant applications, five-year goals, community assessments, self-assessments, and corrective action efforts. The Director works closely with the Policy Council and Board of Trustees, providing information and seeking appropriate approvals while ensuring accountability at all levels of the program. Strong community engagement is also central to the role, with opportunities to build partnerships with families, staff, community leaders, service providers, funding sources, and other stakeholders to strengthen services and advocate for program participants. The ideal candidate is a collaborative, strategic leader with strong organizational, communication, and relationship-building skills and the ability to bring diverse perspectives together around shared goals. Sound judgment, professional integrity, and the ability to navigate complex regulatory, financial, and operational requirements are essential. A commitment to early childhood development, family services, continuous improvement, and quality programming will be key to success in this role. If this sounds like you, apply today!

Requirements

Level I: Bachelors degree in educational administration, business administration, early childhood education, early childhood special education, adult education, health services, social work, or organizational management.
Level II: Master’s degree in educational administration, business administration, early childhood education, early childhood special education, adult education, health services, social work, or organizational management.
Minimum three years of progressively responsible supervisory/management positions including experience working with boards and advisory committees.
Experience planning, developing, and conducting professional development.
Experience in strategic planning and project management.
Register with Idaho STARS and participate in the professional development system.
Meet all training and certification requirements for child care licensing and Head Start Program Performance Standards.
Pass an enhanced background check including fingerprinting, as required by Head Start Program Performance Standards and Child Care Licensing requirements, prior to first day of work.

Nice To Haves

Collaborative, strategic leader with strong organizational, communication, and relationship-building skills.
Ability to bring diverse perspectives together around shared goals.
Sound judgment, professional integrity.
Ability to navigate complex regulatory, financial, and operational requirements.
Commitment to early childhood development, family services, continuous improvement, and quality programming.

Responsibilities

Provide vision, leadership, and strategic direction for a comprehensive early childhood program.
Oversee program planning, implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement.
Ensure services meet the needs of children, families, and communities.
Maintain compliance with Head Start Program Performance Standards, federal regulations, and college policies.
Guide program leaders through mentoring, professional development, and performance management.
Oversee program operations, financial performance, facilities, and outcomes.
Lead annual grant applications, five-year goals, community assessments, self-assessments, and corrective action efforts.
Work closely with the Policy Council and Board of Trustees, providing information and seeking appropriate approvals.
Ensure accountability at all levels of the program.
Build partnerships with families, staff, community leaders, service providers, funding sources, and other stakeholders.
Strengthen services and advocate for program participants.