Position Summary: The Associate Director of Program Operations provides strategic, operational, and compliance leadership across all Head Start, Early Head Start, CCTR, and CSPP program sites. This role ensures high-quality service delivery, full enrollment, operational consistency, and adherence to federal, state, and local regulations. The Associate Director directly supervises Area Managers and leads multi-site operational systems that support program excellence, workforce stability, and strong outcomes for children and families.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Program & Operational Leadership
- Program Operations Oversight — Leads daily operations across multiple sites, ensuring consistent implementation of systems, procedures, and quality standards aligned with Head Start Performance Standards, Title 5, Title 22, and CCTR/CSPP regulations.
- Multisite Management — Oversees operational performance across all assigned sites, ensuring alignment, efficiency, and compliance in service delivery.
- Area Manager Supervision — Provides direct supervision, coaching, and performance management for Area Managers. Ensures they maintain operational consistency, meet enrollment targets, and uphold compliance expectations.
- Operational Accountability — Holds Area Managers accountable for enrollment, attendance, staffing, documentation, and timely follow-through on all operational tasks.
- Cross-Department Collaboration — Partners with Education, Family Services, Health, HR, and Facilities to ensure integrated service delivery and coordinated operational support.
Enrollment, Attendance & Recruitment
- Enrollment Oversight — Monitors enrollment, recruitment, attendance, and retention across all sites; implements strategies to maintain full enrollment and compliance with funded capacity.
- Ensures Area Managers and site teams follow enrollment procedures, complete finals promptly, and maintain accurate documentation.
- Uses data to identify enrollment trends, gaps, and needed interventions.
Compliance & Quality Assurance
- Compliance Leadership — Ensures all sites meet Head Start Performance Standards, CCTR/CSPP requirements, licensing regulations, and agency policies.
- Oversees monitoring activities, corrective action plans, and continuous quality improvement processes.
- Ensures operational documentation is accurate, timely, and audit-ready.
Union Environment Leadership
- Unionized Workforce Management — Navigates staffing, scheduling, and operational decisions within a unionized environment. Ensures adherence to collective bargaining agreements and supports positive labor-management relationships.
- Provides guidance to Area Managers on contract compliance and workforce practices.
Staff Leadership & Development
- Supervisor Development — Coaches Area Managers to strengthen leadership skills, operational decision-making, and team management.
- Supports professional development, workforce stability, and succession planning.
- Conducts performance evaluations and leads improvement plans when needed.
Data-Driven Decision Making
- Data Analysis — Uses program data to monitor operational performance, enrollment, attendance, staffing, and compliance.
- Identifies trends and implements targeted improvement strategies.
Facilities, Safety & Emergency Preparedness
- Facilities Coordination — Supports Area Managers in addressing facilities needs, safety concerns, and operational disruptions.
- Ensures sites maintain emergency preparedness procedures and safety compliance.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Public Administration, or related field; Master’s preferred.
- Minimum 5 years of supervisory experience, including direct supervision of managers or multisite leadership roles.
- Experience supervising Area Managers or equivalent mid-level leaders.
- Demonstrated experience in Head Start, Early Head Start, CCTR, and CSPP operations.
- Experience working within a unionized environment.
- Strong knowledge of Head Start Performance Standards, Title 5, Title 22, and CCTR/CSPP regulations.
- Proven ability to lead complex operations across multiple sites and support managers in achieving program goals.
- Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with program monitoring, CLASS, DRDP, and other early childhood assessment systems.
- Experience managing budgets, contracts, and operational workflows.
- Bilingual skills (English/Spanish) highly desirable.
Core Competencies
- Leadership & Team Development
- Operational Excellence
- Compliance & Accountability
- Strategic Planning
- Relationship BuildingData Analysis & Reporting
- Problem Solving & Decision Making
OTHER/SPECIAL:
- Ability to pass a physical examination and tuberculin skin test. Meet the State of California immunization requirement for employees of day care centers, immunization proof against influenza, pertussis and measles.
- Fingerprint clearance and criminal record check required.
- Verification of current driver’s license and insurance required for personal car usage.