Director of Early Head Start

About NECC:

Nebraska Early Childhood Collaborative is a nonprofit that supports parents and childcare providers by giving them the resources they need to give children the education they deserve.  Our programs and services reach more than 500 childcare business owners in Nebraska, creating impact for children, families, and communities across the state.

What it’s like to work here:

NECC provides its employees with a casual work environment (no traditional dress code policies here!), excellent benefits, and all the technology and tools needed to do the mission-focused work that we do.   We know that to best serve our mission, our employees need a healthy work-life balance.  We provide work-from-home flexibility, 9 holidays off per year, a lengthy winter break, plus Summer Fridays.  (Be sure to ask about Summer Fridays during your interview – they’re awesome!)  Since we’re all about children here, we encourage creativity, learning, and fun in the workplace!  We hold frequent employee events as well as multiple training and development opportunities throughout the year.  Ultimately, NECC is a forward-thinking organization that hires mission-driven people who are dedicated to using their various talents to serve families and children in our community; we hope you’ll be one of them.

About the job:

The Director of Early Head Start (EHS) is responsible for providing the day-to-day management, oversight, and direction of NECC’s Early Head Start - Child Care Partnership program. This includes program design and grants management, oversight of record-keeping and staff development, and development of community partnerships. The Director provides vision and leadership for the program with a commitment to early childhood best practices and innovations while ensuring compliance with all federal, state, and local grant requirements, rules, regulations, and Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS).

Duties include:

• Develop and oversee the structure, systems, and procedures to facilitate programmatic success.
• Manage grants reporting, budget development, and program expenditures in collaboration with the CFO and CPO.
• Provide strategic, operational, and programmatic direction ensuring compliance with all governing regulations, guidelines, licensing standards, program compliance objectives, and HSPPS.
• Prepare the Annual Early Head Start Report and annual grant application.
• Conduct periodic reviews of services and ensure compliance with the standards of local, state, and federal regulations.
• Implement data management and ongoing monitoring processes for required reporting and to measure program effectiveness and goal achievements.
• Review, develop, and implement initiatives and programs for staff development and enrichment to provide high-quality, comprehensive services within the scope of their job responsibilities.
• Lead coordination with Policy Council, Governing Board, and community stakeholders in conducting self-assessment, community assessment, strategic planning, and change implementation. 
• Establish departmental goals and objectives that align with the overall mission and vision for NECC.
• Cultivate and develop relationships and ensure effective communication channels are open at all levels of program operations including the regional office, governing board, policy council, staff, parents, partners, and community.
• Identify opportunities to increase awareness of programs and offerings for NECC and its partners and capitalize on them to increase enrollment and participation.
• Seek out and apply for expansion opportunities as they arise, cultivate new partners, and manage contracts related to EHS work.
• Create and maintain a supportive and collaborative team environment based on a foundation of mutual trust and respect.
• Supervise and manage staff to ensure quality of work, timeliness of deliverables, and adherence to policies and procedures.

About you:

We are looking for the following qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Public Administration, Social Work, Human Services, or related degree required, master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum ten years of experience in Education, Public Administration, Social Work, Human Services, or related field required.
• Minimum six years of experience in Head Start program management, with a strong preference in Early Head Start, required.
• Prior experience in supervision of staff, fiscal management, and administration required.
• Ability to lead, motivate, and develop high-performing teams who deliver on ambitious goals and adapt to change.
• Ability to handle deadlines, prepare detailed reports, and maintain documentation.
• Experience with budget development and the capacity to allocate resources strategically.
• Knowledge of available local, state, and federal human services programs.
• Knowledge of the core elements of Reflective Supervision practices and the ability to implement them.
• Ability to prioritize, consider alternatives, and respond quickly and effectively to unexpected and rapidly changing situations.
• Knowledge of methods to handle suspected or known child abuse and neglect cases in compliance with applicable federal, state, local, and tribal laws.
• Ability to collaborate and cooperate with outside agencies with skills in negotiating, handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving conflicts.
• Ability to solve the complex technical, administrative, and regulatory/policy issues involved in implementing strong systems and services by making timely decisions.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) as well as internet and database programs.

***An equivalent combination of education, work experience, and lived experience will be considered if the above qualifications aren’t fully met, so long as that combination is sufficient to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of the job.

If you’d like to be part of something special, please apply!