VP of Head Start

Family & Children's Place•Louisville, KY

About The Position

Family & Children’s Place is seeking an experienced, collaborative leader to provide strategic and operational leadership for its Head Start, Early Head Start, and early childhood education programs. The Vice President is accountable for program quality, compliance, performance, and sustainability and leads a team of directors, managers, and program professionals. The role works closely with organizational leadership, Finance, Human Resources, the Board of Directors, Policy Council, community partners, and other stakeholders to support high-quality services and positive outcomes for children and families. The position balances regulatory compliance, fiscal accountability, program quality, staff development, and continuous improvement. It leads program planning and performance, ensures compliance with Head Start standards and grant requirements, oversees budgets and grant-related requirements in partnership with Finance, and leads monitoring, evaluation, and improvement efforts. The Vice President also develops staff and leaders, supports workforce practices with Human Resources, and builds partnerships with organizations serving children and families. Local travel between FCP locations, Head Start centers, partner sites, and community meetings may be required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, social work, human services, public administration, nonprofit management, or a related field.
At least five years of progressively responsible leadership experience in Head Start/Early Head Start, early childhood education, human services, or a related program environment.
Experience supervising and developing staff.
Demonstrated experience with program administration, budget and fiscal oversight, regulatory or grant compliance, and continuous quality improvement.
Demonstrated ability to use program and performance data to evaluate outcomes, identify improvement areas, and support strategic decision-making.
Strong leadership, communication, relationship-building, and organizational skills.
Ability to travel locally between FCP locations, Head Start centers, partner sites, and community meetings as needed.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree.
Experience with Head Start/Early Head Start programs and Head Start Program Performance Standards.
Experience leading or overseeing childcare, preschool, early childhood education, and/or home visiting services for children and families from diverse backgrounds.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic and operational leadership for Head Start, Early Head Start, and early childhood education programs, aligning them with the organization’s mission and priorities.
Establish program goals, priorities, performance expectations, and accountability for results across program areas.
Lead short- and long-range planning focused on program quality, sustainability, growth, and responsiveness to children’s and families’ needs.
Collaborate with organizational leadership on planning, workforce needs, budgeting, risk management, and initiatives affecting Head Start and early childhood services.
Work with the Board of Directors and its committees as assigned by the President/CEO.
Ensure services comply with Head Start Program Performance Standards, grant requirements, laws and regulations, contractual requirements, and organizational policies.
Ensure required program reports and information are accurately prepared and provided to the Governing Body, Policy Council, Regional Office, and applicable agencies.
Lead preparation for federal monitoring reviews, audits, and other external reviews, and ensure timely corrective action when needed.
Maintain systems to monitor compliance, identify risk, and support consistent implementation of program requirements.
Partner with the VP of Finance and fiscal team on program budget development, management, monitoring, and reporting.
Monitor program expenditures, non-federal share requirements, funded enrollment, and other grant requirements.
Review financial, enrollment, and program data to evaluate performance and identify areas needing attention or corrective action.
Participate in grant planning, continuation applications, and other funding activities that support program sustainability.
Supervise, coach, develop, and manage the performance of the Head Start Associate Director, Head Start Academy Director, Home Visiting Manager, Education Services Manager, and CQI Program Specialist.
Lead through directors and managers to establish expectations, accountability, collaboration, and consistent implementation of program priorities.
Develop leadership capacity and promote professional development throughout the Head Start program.
Partner with Human Resources on recruitment, retention, performance management, employee development, compensation, and other workforce practices.
Oversee ongoing monitoring, program evaluation, and continuous quality improvement systems.
Monitor program indicators and outcomes, including enrollment, attendance, school readiness, child and family outcomes, service quality, and other applicable measures.
Use program data and performance trends to identify strengths and gaps, set improvement priorities, and guide decisions.
Lead required program self-assessment and community needs assessment activities and incorporate findings into program planning.
Oversee recruitment, enrollment, attendance, and retention strategies to achieve and maintain funded enrollment.
Develop and maintain relationships with community organizations, childcare providers, schools, JCPS, and other partners serving children and families.
Represent FCP and its Head Start programs with community partners, funders, regulatory entities, and other stakeholders.
Identify collaboration opportunities that strengthen services, increase resources, and improve outcomes for children and families.
Travel locally between FCP locations, Head Start centers, partner sites, and community meetings as needed.