Vice President of Head Start Programs

East Bay Community Action Program (EBCP) is seeking a full-time Vice president of Head Start for our Agency. To Lead and inspire our Head Start, Child Care, and Pre-K programs with a transformative vision that advances educational equity and excellence. The Vice President will shape strategic direction, build strong relationships across all levels of the organization, and ensure programmatic excellence through data-driven decision-making. This role requires a passionate advocate for early childhood education who can effectively balance compliance requirements with innovation and continuous improvement.

**Strategic Leadership and Vision (30%)**

Develop and execute a compelling strategic vision that advances program quality, family engagement, and community impact

Foster a culture of excellence, transparency, and continuous improvement across all program sites

Lead change management initiatives that enhance program effectiveness while maintaining staff engagement

Analyze program data and outcomes to inform strategic decisions and drive innovation

Build and maintain strong partnerships with community stakeholders, public schools, and state/federal agencies

**Program Leadership and Operations (25%)**

Oversee comprehensive Head Start operations while ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations

Direct the development and execution of program goals, policies, and quality standards

Lead grant writing efforts and manage relationships with funding sources

Collaborate with the CEO and CFO on budget management and resource allocation

Partner with and support the Head Start Policy Council to ensure shared governance, including providing monthly program updates, facilitating Policy Council involvement in hiring decisions, and ensuring parent engagement in program planning and decision-making

Ensure successful program monitoring, licensing, and accreditation processes

**Team Development and Engagement (25%)**

Cultivate strong relationships with front-line staff through regular site visits and open communication channels

Implement a comprehensive professional development strategy that supports staff growth and program quality

Build and mentor a high-performing leadership team through coaching and delegation

Create systems for gathering and acting on staff feedback to improve program operations

Foster a positive organizational culture that promotes staff retention and satisfaction

**Data and Quality Management (20%)**

Implement robust data collection and analysis systems to track program outcomes

Use data analytics to identify trends, opportunities, and areas for improvement

Ensure comprehensive reporting to federal, state, and local stakeholders

Drive continuous quality improvement initiatives based on data insights

Maintain compliance with Head Start Performance Standards while pursuing excellence beyond minimum requirements

**Required Qualifications**

Master's degree preferred (Bachelor's required) in Early Childhood Education, Public Administration, or related field

10 years of progressive leadership experience in Head Start or early childhood education, including 5 years in senior management

Demonstrated success in grant writing and grants management

Strong track record of data-driven decision making and program evaluation

Experience building and leading high-performing teams

Proven ability to develop and execute strategic initiatives

Excellence in relationship building across diverse stakeholder groups

**Preferred Qualifications**

Experience with quality rating and improvement systems

Knowledge of Head Start Performance Standards and state licensing requirements

Success in implementing innovative early childhood education programs

Track record of community partnership development

Experience with change management and organizational development

**Leadership Competencies**

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