Head Start Director

Company Description The Opportunity Alliance is a Maine-based nonprofit organization dedicated to building better lives and stronger communities by providing programs and resources that support health, safety, and stability. The organization focuses on ensuring that individuals and families have access to high-quality childcare and early childhood education, safe and stable housing, and effective mental health and substance use treatment. In addition, The Opportunity Alliance connects community members with essential supports that address basic needs and promote long‑term resilience.

Team members join a mission‑driven environment that values collaboration, compassion, and inclusive services for people across Maine.

The Opportunity Alliance is seeking a Program Director for our Head Start and Early Head start programs.

The Director of Head Start and Early Head Start position offers a unique opportunity to play a critical role in advancing equitable access to high quality, culturally appropriate early education, childcare, and support services to hundreds of children and families across Cumberland County.

This position is responsible for the supervision and management of the overall operations of the program and assures that service design, delivery and quality comply with the federal Head Start Standards, state licensing regulations and all legal and contractual obligations. The Director is also responsible for setting and holding program managers accountable to achieving specific results in child and family outcomes, evaluating and improving program systems, and representing the agency in local, regional, and state communities.

The ideal candidate is a strategic leader that plans for and makes decisions within the framework of organizational mission, values and goals. They build trusting relationships through effective communication, reliability, and collaboration. The prospective candidate is flexible and able to pivot quickly and intentionally in a changing environment. They are invested in the community and believe deeply in the value of Head Start in interrupting poverty and preparing children and families for school.

Schedule:
This is a full-time, 40 hours/week, salaried position.

This is an administrative role working M – F, primarily regular business hours. Some evenings hours may arise.

Location:
Office is based in South Portland, but will support classrooms across Portland, South Portland, and Westbrook. Some travel to classroom locations may be required.

Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education or related field, or bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education; or, Bachelor’s Degree in a field related to ECE and coursework equivalent to a major in ECE, plus minimum five years’ experience in a managerial role (program planning and operations and evaluation).
• 3-5 years of supervisory experience, required.
• Group facilitation skills and experience leading and engaging parents.
• Ability to be self‑motivated and organized and strong verbal and written communication skills required.
  
  Computer and word processing skills preferred.
• Sensitivity and familiarity working with diverse populations required.
• Must be able to pass pre‑employment physical and TB screen.
• ECE must be current on MMR and TDAP immunizations.
• Must be able to successfully pass a criminal background, child protective service check & sex offender check.
• Must not be on the state or federal suspension and disbarment list.
• Must be able to exert moderate physical effort with occasional standing, walking, reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, crouching, typing and frequently lift and carry small children or material weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Driving may be necessary to attend meetings and trainings but is not a primarily and essential job responsibility.

The Opportunity Alliance has an extensive benefit package. Explore here: https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).-benefits

Our benefits include but are not limited to:

• Generous paid time off
• 9paid holidays per calendar year and up to 3 floating holidays per calendar year
• Excellent medical benefits at very reasonable cost
• Dental and Vision insurance options
• Agency paid basic…