Penn State Extension Better Kid Care Program Manager

Program Manager

Penn State Extension's Better Kid Care program is seeking an experienced and collaborative professional to serve as Program Manager. This leadership position assists the Director in providing strategic direction, operational oversight, and program development for one of the nation's leading professional development programs serving early childhood and out-of-school-time professionals.

The Program Manager plays a key role in program administration, staff supervision, strategic planning, budget management, grant development, program evaluation, and curriculum innovation. This position also oversees state approval processes for online professional development courses and training organization approvals across multiple state registry systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist in the leadership and administration of the Better Kid Care program, including strategic planning, personnel supervision, budget oversight, program evaluation, and revenue analysis.
• Lead and support grant writing activities and development of new projects and funding opportunities.
• Coordinate and maintain trainer and training organization approvals with state professional development registries nationwide.
• Oversee course submission processes and ensure compliance with varying state requirements.
• Build and maintain relationships with state registry partners and professional development systems.
• Guide the development, revision, and promotion of online courses and educational resources for early childhood educators and out-of-school-time professionals.
• Support and expand Better Kid Care's Child Development Associate (CDA) initiatives and partnerships.
• Represent Better Kid Care and Penn State at professional meetings, conferences, and partner organizations.

Required Qualifications

• Experience in the early care and education field sufficient to meet state childcare licensing requirements for approval as a training professional.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain collaborative partnerships.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Early Childhood Education or a closely related field.
• Experience with grant writing and grant-funded projects.
• Experience with budget development and management.
• Experience in curriculum development, evaluation, and online learning environments.
• Demonstrated ability to translate research-based information into practical, learner-centered educational resources.

Additional Information This position supervises professional staff and contributes to program-wide decision-making and operational management. The successful candidate will work collaboratively with internal teams and external partners to support the continued growth and impact of Better Kid Care at the state and national levels.

About Penn State and Better Kid Care Penn State Extension's Better Kid Care program provides professional development and educational resources to early care and education professionals, helping to improve the quality of care and learning experiences for children and youth. Through innovative online learning, credentialing support, and workforce development initiatives, Better Kid Care serves professionals across Pennsylvania and throughout the United States.