Early Learning Manager - Child Development & Family Support

Job Summary and Responsibilities/Duties

Under general supervision, manages early learning programs for Head Start and Early Head Start across assigned preschool sites. Leads comprehensive planning for teaching and learning while ensuring classroom curricula and practices meet Head Start Performance Standards and program goals. Analyzes, interprets, and responds to child observation and assessment data to drive decision‑making, support each preschool site, and continuously improve student outcomes.

Leads professional learning initiatives, engages in cross‑agency collaboration with staff serving families, overseeing health, nutrition, facilities, and safety operations. Develops and manages department policies and procedures, assists with strategic initiatives, manages department budgets, and provides direct supervision to staff in support of the College and CDFS vision, mission, and goals.

• Leads site‑level and program‑wide planning for teaching and learning, ensuring the alignment of classroom instruction, social‑emotional learning, and positive behavioral interventions with Head Start Performance Standards. Provides strategic support and input to the design and continuous improvement of early learning programs. Monitors compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations, licensing requirements, and MHCC policies.
• Manages and monitors child observation and assessment systems. Analyzes assessment data to identify trends, evaluate instructional efficacy, drive site‑specific decisions, and supervise the implementation of targeted interventions to improve child development outcomes across all preschool sites.
• Designs, leads, and delivers high‑quality professional learning and training for staff and parents in early childhood education, assessment, and child development best practices. Promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion in staffing, curriculum, center culture, and community engagement. Coordinates continuing education opportunities to ensure staff meet Head Start qualifications.
• Establishes and maintains strong cross‑agency collaboration with staff serving families to ensure comprehensive, integrated support for children and families.
• Ensures day‑to‑day operations meet site health, safety, nutrition, and facilities management needs, and provides support when managers are not available. Provides input into classroom, playground, and facility design and safety feasibility to ensure compliance with state licensing and Head Start regulations.
• Recruits, selects, orients, schedules, and supervises staff. Evaluates staff performance, helps develop professional goals, and provides coaching and ongoing training; rewards and recognizes employees; holds staff accountable and takes disciplinary action, as needed.
• Conducts regular classroom observations across sites, providing structured feedback, coaching, and support to managers and teaching staff.
• Manages day‑to‑day department budget operations, ensuring spending remains within allocations, and provides input during budget planning.
• Establishes and maintains collaborative working relationships with internal College departments, business partners, community agencies, and educational institutions. Serves as a College representative on local and state early childhood work groups as appropriate.

• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Bachelor's or advanced degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field

• Minimum (5) years of experience working with children and families in an early childhood program, including at least two (2) years as a classroom teacher.
• Minimum (3) years of lead or supervisory experience.
• Experience using assessment data to drive…