Early Childhood Program Manager at Kennebec Valley Community Action Program – Skowhegan, Maine

Position Summary:

The Early Childhood Program Manager provides strategic leadership, operational oversight, and systems management for assigned early childhood programs and partnerships. This position is responsible for ensuring high-quality, compliant, and innovative early childhood services that align with Head Start Program Performance Standards, state and federal regulations, and agency strategic priorities.

The Manager serves as a key leader within Child & Family Services, supervising education leadership staff, driving continuous quality improvement, cultivating community partnerships, and strengthening comprehensive systems of care for children and families. This role balances program administration, staff development, compliance oversight, and collaborative leadership to advance outcomes and long-term impact.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Program Leadership & Strategic Oversight

1. Lead strategic direction and day-to-day management of assigned programs.

2. Ensure full implementation of comprehensive services in compliance with:

• Head Start Program Performance Standards
• State Child Care Licensing regulations
• National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) standards
• State Department of Education requirements
• IDEA/Special Education regulations
• Local, state, and federal guidelines

3. Monitor program performance using data dashboards, compliance monitoring tools, and trend analysis.

4. Participate in interdisciplinary collaboration across content areas to ensure integrated service delivery.

5. Convene and facilitate teams to promote reflective practice and continuous improvement.

6. Model strong organizational leadership that fosters accountability, innovation, and professional excellence.

7. Collaborate with Training and Technical Assistance (T/TA) staff and Content Leads to strengthen service quality and instructional practice.

8. Contribute to and support agency-wide strategic planning and program development initiatives.

Supervision, Talent Management & Professional Development

1. Directly supervise Early Childhood Education Supervisors and/or key staff as assigned.

2. Provide reflective supervision and performance management aligned with agency talent systems.

3. Partner with Human Resources and Directors to support recruitment, hiring, onboarding, evaluation, succession planning, and retention strategies.

4. Develop and implement individualized professional development plans in partnership with staff.

5. Ensure staff maintain high-quality programming aligned with standards and grounded in:

• Reflective practice
• Evidence-based curriculum
• Innovative instructional approaches
• Touchpoints framework

6. Facilitate and/or coordinate professional development training for education staff and partners.

7. Build internal capacity by mentoring leaders to serve as adult educators, trainers, and instructional leaders.

8. Foster a culture of continuous learning, accountability, and professional growth.

Family Engagement & Community Impact

1. Champion a whole-family, strengths-based approach to service delivery.

2. Promote meaningful family engagement and shared decision-making in partnership with families and Family Coaches.

3. Ensure programming reflects inclusive practices and culturally responsive engagement strategies.

4. Support systems that empower families toward long-term stability and self-sufficiency.

Partnership Development & Collaboration

1. Develop, strengthen, and sustain strategic partnerships with schools, community programs and agencies, higher education institutions, and early childhood stakeholders.

2. Represent the program in community meetings, professional networks, and collaborative initiatives.

3. Coordinate professional learning opportunities for current and prospective early childhood educators.

4. Ensure all internal and external communications reflect professionalism, clarity, and confidence in program quality.

Program Evaluation & Continuous Quality Improvement

1. Lead data-informed decision-making processes.

2. Analyze child outcomes, classroom quality data, compliance monitoring results, and workforce metrics to guide improvement efforts.

3. Oversee implementation of continuous quality improvement (CQI) plans.

4. Provide input for reports and documentation for internal leadership, funders, and regulatory agencies as required.

5. Ensure readiness for audits, monitoring visits, and accreditation processes.

Operational & Administrative Leadership

1. Ensure effective communication systems across teams and partner sites, including collaborations with nutrition and maintenance staff.

2. Uphold risk management, safety standards, and operational protocols.

3. Assure all policies and procedures are being followed in assigned locations, and contribute to policy development and procedural improvements.

Qualifications

1. 5-7 years of paid experience in Early Care and Education (birth–age 5) with progressive leadership expertise, including direct supervision and program oversight.

2. Demonstrated experience in systems management, compliance oversight, and staff development.

3. Experience facilitating small and large group professional development in early childhood content areas.

4. Strong competencies in:

• Strategic thinking
• Organizational leadership
• Reflective supervision
• Data analysis and interpretation
• Written and verbal communication
• Group facilitation
• Conflict resolution
• Community partnership development and collaboration

5. Proficiency in technology and data systems.

6. Valid driver’s license and insured vehicle meeting State of Maine requirements.

7. Ability to meet all agency and state licensing background and health requirements.

Educational Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Education Leadership, Human Services, or related field required.
• Master’s degree is strongly preferred.