Program Manager - School Readiness

Southwest Human Development • Phoenix, AZ

6d

About The Position

Southwest Human Development is Arizona's largest nonprofit dedicated to early childhood development, focusing on the critical first five years of life. They offer over 40 programs and services to more than 140,000 children. The organization is seeking a dedicated and experienced School Readiness Program Manager to oversee and enhance service delivery across their district sites. This role involves supervising Child Development Managers (CDMs), ensuring compliance with safety standards, curriculum fidelity, and teaching quality, and proactively addressing concerns from staff, families, and children. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership skills, a background in Early Childhood Education, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

Requirements

• BA/BS or MA, is preferred, in Early Childhood Education (ECE), Social Work, Family Studies, or related field of Education with an emphasis in ECE.
• Minimum 2 years of supervisory experience in ECE programming.
• Knowledge of early childhood developmentally appropriate practice (DAP).
• The equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted.
• Knowledge of Head Start Performance Standards.
• Certification in First Aid/CPR, Food Handler’s Card, and Fingerprint Clearance Card required.
• Functional knowledge of Arizona Childcare Licensing Requirements.

Nice To Haves

• Ability to speak, write, and read Spanish preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide daily oversight of service delivery across district sites to ensure smooth, efficient, and high-quality operations.
• Supervise and coach Child Development Managers (CDMs) through consistent feedback, leadership development, and reflective supervision.
• Monitor and enforce safety compliance, curriculum fidelity, and teaching quality in alignment with program standards.
• Serve as a key problem-solver, addressing concerns promptly and professionally from staff, families, and children.
• Conduct weekly site visits and analyze operational data to identify service delivery trends and address systemic issues.
• Facilitate weekly one-on-one coaching sessions with CDMs to evaluate performance, discuss progress, and support growth.
• Lead monthly reviews of district-wide performance, operational data, and child development progress to identify areas for improvement.
• Organize and deliver professional development opportunities for CDMs based on monthly performance reviews and goals.
• Conduct comprehensive annual evaluations of service delivery, curriculum implementation, and CDM performance.
• Collaborate with leadership to develop long-term strategic plans, set organizational goals, and enhance communication across teams.

Benefits

• Day one zero contribution health plan options
• Wellness programming
• Generous paid time off
• High-quality paid training to promote professional growth and development
• Supportive and collaborative work environment

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager