Jobs at Early Learning Essentials (Now Hiring) — 10 open

COMPANY DESCRIPTION

Make a difference in the community with Early Learning Essentials (ELE)! We are a non profit organization that offers preschool services to children and families who encounter life's challenges and need a hand up.

Full-time positions enjoy exceptional benefits with medical, dental, life, and a 401(k). We are a family friendly company as all staff enjoy gym benefits, weekends off, and twice the normal holidays!

 

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Executive Director serves as the chief executive officer of the agency and is responsible for the overall leadership, strategic direction, fiscal integrity, regulatory compliance, and operational oversight of all Head Start and Early Head Start programs and services. The Executive Director ensures full implementation of the Head Start Act of 2007, Head Start Program Performance Standards, and all applicable federal, state, and local regulations while advancing the agency's mission, school readiness goals, and commitment to high-quality comprehensive services for children and families.

Collaborates with the Board of Directors, Parent Policy Council and staff in developing organizational goals, attaining/allocation resources and establishing policies. Safeguards federal funds and ensures the agency stays financially solvent. Assures that all Head Start Performance Standards and other federal and local regulatory requirements are being implemented and upheld on a daily and consistent basis to ensure services support the agency's school readiness plan. Functionally supervises the Comprehensive Services Deputy Director, Finance Director, Administration and HR Director and the Facilities and Transportation Manager.

 

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Executive Leadership and Organizational Management
   • Provides visionary leadership and strategic direction for all Head Start and Early Head Start programs and services in alignment with the agency's mission, vision, values, five year goals and school readiness goals.
   • Ensures delivery of high-quality comprehensive services to children and families through effective leadership, accountability, and collaboration.
   • Promotes a positive organizational culture grounded in safety, professionalism, inclusion, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
   • Leads and supervises senior leadership staff, including the Comprehensive Services Deputy Director, Fiscal Officer, Administration and HR Director, and the Program Operations Support Manager.
   • Works collaboratively with Service Area Directors, the Comprehensive Services Deputy Director, the Administration and HR Director, and the Fiscal Officer as a leadership team to ensure all service areas are working together to provide seamless comprehensive services and stay true to the agency's mission and vision.
   • Ensures agency systems, operations, and infrastructure effectively support program goals and regulatory compliance.
   • Oversees development and implementation of agency-wide operational policies, procedures, and service delivery systems.

1. Governance and Shared Decision-Making
   • Collaborates with the Board of Directors and Parent Policy Council to ensure compliance with shared governance requirements established by the Head Start Act of 2007.
   • Provides leadership, guidance, and training to the Board and Parent Policy Council regarding governance responsibilities, program performance, fiscal oversight, and regulatory compliance.
   • Supports active participation and effective engagement of Board and Parent Policy Council members.
   • Ensures Board and Policy Council receive timely and accurate information necessary for informed decision-making.
   • Guides the Comprehensive Services Deputy Director in training and guidance provided to the Parent Policy Council (PC).
   • Works with the Board Chair to identify, recruit, orient, and support effective Board members as identified in the Board By-Laws.
   • Consults with legal counsel and the Board Executive Committee as necessary regarding governance, personnel, compliance, and organizational matters.

1. Program Oversight, Compliance, and Quality Assurance
   • Ensures full compliance with the Head Start Act, Head Start Program Performance Standards, Uniform Guidance, federal grant requirements, state licensing requirements, and all other applicable regulations.
   • Oversees implementation of systems for ongoing monitoring, continuous quality improvement, program evaluation, and corrective action.
   • Monitors all service area activities on an ongoing basis and directs and guides the Comprehensive Services Deputy Director in the role of monitoring the three comprehensive service areas under his/her oversight.
   • Ensures effective implementation of the agency's five-year goals, school readiness goals and data-informed decision-making processes.
   • Oversees the annual community assessment, self-assessment, and Program Information Report (PIR) submission processes.
   • Serves as the lead administrator during federal monitoring reviews, audits, investigations, and compliance assessments.
   • Ensures service area plans, policies, procedures, and operational manuals remain current and compliant.
     • Ensures all systems agency-wide are functional and updated as needed.
     • Stays informed of all administrative and operational changes and updates by reviewing proposals submitted by staff before implementation.
     • Ensures all processes and systems in operation are articulated and reflected in service area operating manuals and service area policies and procedures manuals.
     • Ensures relevant program information is available to the public and staff in communication systems such as the agency website and agency data management systems and that those systems remain current and updated.
   • Monitors organizational performance data and implements improvement strategies as necessary.

1. Child Safety, Risk Management, and Organizational Accountability
   • Establishes and maintains a culture of child safety, active supervision, wellness, and accountability throughout the organization.
   • Ensures implementation of systems related to child health and safety, emergency preparedness, incident response, mandated reporting, and risk management.
   • Oversees processes for addressing community concerns, complaints, and conflict resolution.
   • Serves as the last resort when lower levels in the organization are not able to solve or address community concerns.
   • Ensures concerns are elevated appropriately to leadership, the Policy Council, and/or Board when necessary.
   • Supports organizational compliance with internal controls, fiduciary responsibilities, and ethical business practices.

1. Fiscal Management and Resource Stewardship
   • Develops and oversees the agency's annual operating budget in collaboration with the Fiscal Officer, Board of Directors, Parent Policy Council, and leadership staff.
   • Monitors organizational financial health and ensures responsible stewardship of federal, state, local, and private funds.
   • Oversees implementation of sound fiscal controls, financial management systems, and audit readiness practices.
   • Supports completion of annual independent audits, 401(k) audits, and required federal filings.
   • Supports the Finance Director with the Board finance sub-committee meetings to secure the hiring of the auditor, secure budget approvals and provide other financial reports.
   • Develops corrective action plans in response to audit findings or fiscal concerns.
   • Ensures compliance with non-federal share (in-kind) requirements and monitors agency-wide efforts to achieve required match contributions.
     • Identifies, cultivates, and solicits in-kind dollars and monitors this function agency-wide to ensure all service areas are contributing towards the achievement of non-federal share requirements.

1. Human Resources and Workforce Development
   • Provides executive oversight of human resources systems, employee relations, compensation, benefits administration, and personnel policies.
     • Provides guidance, direction and ongoing monitoring of the Administration and HR Director in his/her role in benefit plan administration.
     • Consults with the Board Executive Committee as needed when making decisions on deputy and executive level employee benefits.
     • Supports the Administration and HR Director with the 401k audit and 5500 completed by contractor to ensure they are completed and filed on time.
     • Develops plans of action with the Administration and HR Director and Finance Director should audit concerns arise.
     • Monitors and supports the Administration and HR Director and Finance Director in their respective roles as it relates to cafeteria plan testing and understanding and implementing provisions established in plan documents.
     • Takes the lead making plan document changes and consults with the Board of Directors Chair and/or Board Executive Committee if needed.
   • Promotes recruitment, retention, professional development, succession planning, and leadership development initiatives.
   • Ensures staff receive ongoing training and professional growth opportunities consistent with Head Start requirements and organizational goals.
     • Ensures all service areas have opportunities for staff professional development, are proved with opportunities for contributing to service area meetings and that minutes are taken to record plans generated and appropriate actions taken.
   • Supports a workplace culture that values diversity, inclusion, collaboration, accountability, and employee wellness.

1. Strategic Planning and Community Partnerships
   • Leads strategic planning efforts and oversees development of agency goals, objectives, and long-range organizational priorities.
     • Oversees the role of the Comprehensive Services Deputy Director in establishing agency goals as it relates to quality comprehensive services and measurable outcomes and developing ongoing monitoring, program evaluation methods and systems.
   • Oversees the development of collaborative partnerships with community agencies, local governments, educational institutions, businesses, and other stakeholders to strengthen services for children and families.
   • Pursues funding opportunities through grants, partnerships, allowable fundraising initiatives, and community engagement efforts.
   • Responsible for the preparation and administration of federal, state, and local grant applications and awards.
     • Guides and directs grant narrative and budgetary contributions of leadership team members.
   • Promotes public awareness and positive community relations on behalf of the agency and its Head Start programs.

1. Communication and Public Relations
   • Serves as the primary liaison with the Office of Head Start, regional offices, key community partners, and other external stakeholders.
     • Submits yearly PIR information to the Office of Head Start
     • Submits grant applications in the Head Start Enterprise System (HSES) and/or Grant Solutions and maintains agency profile in such sites
     • Approves the submission of the monthly enrollment report in the HSES in collaboration with the ERSEA Coordinator, the Family and Community Services Director and the Comprehensive Services Deputy Director.
   • Ensures accurate, timely, and transparent communication with staff, families, Board members, Policy Council, and community partners.
   • Oversees organizational communication systems, including public information, website content, and agency data systems.
   • Represents the agency professionally in community events, meetings, and public forums.
     • Increases visibility of the agency and its Head Start programs and services and maintain good public relations.
     • Guides and directs the role of the Comprehensive Services Deputy Director as it relates to public relations.

1. Other Duties
   • Performs other duties as assigned by the Board of Directors consistent with the responsibilities of the position.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Early Childhood Education, Public Administration, Business Administration, Nonprofit Management, Human Services, or a related field.
• Master's Degree in any of the above fields outlined above is preferred
• Minimum of five to seven years of progressively responsible executive or senior leadership experience required.
• Experience in Head Start, Early Head Start, early childhood education, nonprofit administration, or federally funded programs strongly preferred.
• Experience managing federal grants, organizational budgets, compliance systems, and multidisciplinary teams required.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES

• Visionary, innovative and systems thinking leadership.
• Working knowledge of community agencies and Head Start performance standards.
• Understands social and economic background and development needs of children and families.
• Exceptional communication and influencing skills: Have strong written and verbal communication skills. Be a persuasive, credible, and polished communicator with excellent interpersonal and multidisciplinary project skills including the ability to be a role model by working as part of a highly collaborative team within the organization.
• Polished analytical skills having the ability to draw conclusions based on data and the ability to use data and sound judgment to drive decision-making.
• Be thoroughly committed to the agency's strategy and mission with passion for the agency's values and organizational principles.
• Demonstrated ability to organize, direct and coordinate operations in personnel supervision, facilities management, communications, and budget management.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and to develop solutions to problems with limited supervision.
• Ability to write and speak the English language in a proficient and professional manner to meet requirements of the job.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, subordinates, Board members, community groups, and other related agencies and people.
• Endorses the Head Start philosophy with the aptitude to implement its principle or shared authority and decision-making.

 

EARLY LEARNING ESSENTIALS RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REVISE THIS JOB DESCRIPTION AT OUR DISCRETION WITH OR WITHOUT NOTICE AT ANYTIME.