Position: Senior Director, Early Childhood Programs
Functional Area: Program Management
Organization: Community Action Project
Location: Tulsa, OK
Metro Region: Tulsa
Overview:
Community Action Project’s (CAP) vision is to break the cycle of intergenerational poverty by improving the prospects of long-term economic success for very young, low-income children, their families, and the communities in which they live. CAP serves more than 1,900 of Tulsa’s low-income children in 13 early childhood centers across the county. CAP employs nearly 600 staff members and coordinates the work of hundreds of volunteers to provide service to 23,000 low-income families of Tulsa County. Our tax program returned nearly $36 million in state and federal tax refunds to the Tulsa community, helping Tulsa families move another year closer to the goal of raising kids who will never again have to live in poverty.
Much of CAP’s success is owed to a unique focus on research and best practices and a fierce commitment to continuous improvement. Our innovative programs have been featured by National Public Radio and the New York Times and have often inspired nationwide adoption and innovation. Our unique early childhood programs have drawn the eye of researchers at Georgetown, Columbia, Northwestern, and Harvard universities. CAP’s approach is also unique in its attention to collaborative partnerships. Ours was the first Head Start program in the country to provide family wraparound services through a partnership with a dedicated social services organization. Partnerships with the Tulsa, Union, and Sand Springs public school districts, the Oklahoma Department of Education, the University of Oklahoma, the George Kaiser Family Foundation, and many others have enabled us to support the expansion and enhancement of high-quality early childhood education across the state, while advancing the field of early childhood intervention across the country.
Position:
To continue the excellence of programs and support further innovation in the early childhood sector, CAP is seeking a dynamic leader to join the organization as the Senior Director, Early Childhood Programs. This role is responsible for the leadership and oversight of a high quality early childhood education program through compliance with the Head Start Performance Standards and enforcement of all federal, state and local guidelines, regulations throughout the 13 locations in Tulsa County. This person is responsible for high quality implementation and integration of all component areas, including Early Childhood Education, Health, Nutrition, Disabilities, ERSEA, Family Support and Engagement, and Mental Health services. They will monitor the work of collaborative partners, consultants and community service providers, both directly and indirectly, ensuring the effective utilization and the related financial compliance for the multiple funding streams which support CAP’s Early Childhood Programs. As a member of the Senior Leadership team, they will regularly participate in the study, planning and implementation of new program options using data-driven evaluations and best business practices. Accountable to the Executive Director, Chief Operating Officer, the Board of Directors and the Head Start Policy Council, the Senior Director, Early Childhood programs reports to the COO and will indirectly oversee a staff of over 500 employees.
Responsibilities:
- Oversee high quality implementation and integration of all component areas, including Education, Health, Nutrition, Disabilities, ERSEA, Family Support and Engagement, and Mental Health services, as outlined in Head Start Performance Standards
- Provide leadership and guidance to Education Leadership Team to ensure the smooth functioning of all early childhood sites
- Provide leadership and guidance to the Curriculum & Instruction Team to ensure teacher excellence in every CAP classroom and meet agency goals for child outcomes
- Oversee the development and monitoring of the Early Childhood Program budget in partnership with fiscal staff
- Build effective working relationships with school district partners, community service providers, evaluators, and other community members
- Serve as a member of the Senior Leadership team and provide input regarding direction of the Agency and development of strategic goals and objectives
- Serve as Head Start Program Director of record which includes monitoring of compliance, oversight of Policy Council, and guiding the annual Self Assessment and Triennial reviews
- Ensure compliance with Federal Head Start Performance Standards, DHS requirements, Oklahoma Early Childhood Program requirements, and NAEYC accreditation standards
- Champion the rigorous use of data to drive accountability and ensure program quality
- Serve as the spokesperson and representative of CAP’s Early Childhood Programs to share best practices for other early education programs state-wide and nationally
- Collaborate with Human Resources to identify future site-based leadership, including development of succession plans
- Manage agency risk related to safety, incident reports and complaints arising from Early Childhood Programs
Qualifications:
- Mission-driven educator, committed to leading effective programs that support the alleviation of poverty throughout Tulsa County
- Extensive knowledge of principles and practices of early childhood and infant development
- Minimum of ten years of early childhood, curriculum and/or education administration experience with knowledge of the Head Start Performance Standards ideally in a leadership role
- Familiarity with NAEYC and associated accreditation processes required
- Proven leadership, oversight, and management of a diverse and high-performing staff
- Comfortable operating in an organization with high standards, but is easily approachable and willing to provide hands-on support as necessary to achieve programmatic and organizational goals
- Bachelor’s degree required; Masters degree in education or related field strongly preferred
- Bilingual skills a plus
To Apply:
Please upload a resume and thoughtful cover letter, outlining how your skills and experience meet the qualifications of the position and stating how you heard about this opportunity, both in Word format, to Michelle Choquette, Human Resource Director, at http://jobs.cgcareers.org/application.aspx?id=1940 Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Community Action Project offers a competitive salary and benefits, commensurate with experience and skills.
Community Action Project is an equal opportunity employer.
Community Action Project is an equal opportunity employer.
