This role presents a significant leadership opportunity for an experienced early childhood professional to oversee a comprehensive portfolio of education and family services programs, including Head Start, Early Head Start, Voluntary Pre-K, School Readiness, and Court Care initiatives. The Director of Early Childhood Programs will provide strategic and operational leadership to ensure the delivery of high-quality, outcomes-driven services that align with the organization’s mission and values. With a strong emphasis on regulatory compliance, staff development, and continuous quality improvement, this position plays a critical role in advancing school readiness and family engagement across multiple sites.

Key Responsibilities

Provide day-to-day operational and strategic oversight of all early childhood education and family services programs, ensuring alignment with federal, state, and local regulations and funder requirements.
Lead implementation and monitoring of Head Start Performance Standards across all program components, including education, family engagement, health, mental health, and disabilities services.
Build, lead, and sustain high-performing, multidisciplinary teams across multiple locations, fostering collaboration, accountability, and professional growth.
Oversee curriculum implementation, program enhancements, and school readiness initiatives to ensure consistent, high-quality learning experiences.
Partner with the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer to develop, manage, and monitor program budgets; ensure fiscal accountability and sustainability across all funding sources.
Prepare, submit, and monitor grant applications, annual program applications, corrective action plans, self-assessments, training and technical assistance plans, and required funder reports.
Drive continuous quality improvement through data collection, analysis, trend reporting, and outcome-based program planning.
Ensure staff credentialing, licensing, and professional development requirements are met and maintained; develop and implement ongoing training programs to support compliance and excellence.
Serve as a key liaison with community partners, school districts, funders, and regulatory agencies to support families, staff, and program growth.
Oversee recruitment, onboarding, supervision, coaching, and performance management of program leadership and site-based staff.
Provide oversight of Court Care and KidSpace programs, including enrollment management, revenue monitoring, budget oversight, and funder reporting.
Conduct regular site visits to ensure safe, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate environments for children and families.

Qualifications & Experience

Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Education, Child Development, or a closely related field, including a minimum of 18 credits in early childhood coursework.
Three to five years of progressive leadership and supervisory experience in early childhood or child-focused programs, preferably within a nonprofit environment.
Master’s degree strongly preferred.
Demonstrated experience with Head Start and/or Early Head Start programs highly preferred.
Proven experience managing multi-site operations, large teams, budgets, and complex compliance requirements.
Knowledge of federal, state, and local early childhood regulations, including Head Start, Early Learning Coalition, VPK, and related funding streams.
Ability to obtain Florida Director’s Credential within 90 days of hire, if not already held.

Key Competencies & Attributes

Strategic and operational leadership
Regulatory compliance and risk management
Team building, coaching, and staff development
Fiscal stewardship and budget management
Data-informed decision-making and continuous improvement
Strong written and verbal communication
Cultural competence and community engagement
Alignment with organizational values of courage, commitment, and compassion

Work Environment & Benefits

This is an in-person leadership role overseeing multiple program sites within a mission-driven, community-focused organization. The work environment is collaborative, fast-paced, and deeply impact-oriented, with a strong emphasis on professional integrity, accountability, and service to children and families. A comprehensive benefits package is offered, consistent with full-time exempt leadership roles.

Merraine Group, Inc.

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Director of Early Childhood Programs