Program Manager - School Readiness

Make a difference from day one

Southwest Human Development is Arizona’s largest nonprofit dedicated to early childhood development. The first five years of life are the most critical in a child’s development. At Southwest Human Development, our services improve lives and help families by supporting young children and their caregivers during this important time.

Your skills, experience, and passion are needed at one of the nation’s largest nonprofits dedicated to early childhood development. Join our team and experience a long-term career which brings joy and satisfaction in knowing you make a difference.  We offer over 40 programs and services to more than 140,000 children.

Why candidates love working here

• Contribute to meaningful work that helps children and families build strong foundations for the future.
• Enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, generous paid time off, and 401(k) employer contribution every paycheck.
• Build your future with access to learning, development, and career advancement opportunities.
• Be part of a collaborative, purpose-driven culture where your work truly matters.
• Join a Great Place to Work® Certified organization, with a culture shaped by employee feedback and built on trust, support, and collaboration.

Job title: School Readiness Program Manager

We are seeking a dedicated and experienced School Readiness Program Manager to oversee and enhance service delivery across our district sites. This role involves supervising Child Development Managers (CDMs), ensuring compliance with safety standards, curriculum fidelity, and teaching quality, and proactively addressing concerns from staff, families, and children. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership skills, a background in Early Childhood Education, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

 In this role you will:

• Provide daily oversight of service delivery across district sites to ensure smooth, efficient, and high-quality operations.
• Supervise and coach Child Development Managers (CDMs) through consistent feedback, leadership development, and reflective supervision.
• Monitor and enforce safety compliance, curriculum fidelity, and teaching quality in alignment with program standards.
• Serve as a key problem-solver, addressing concerns promptly and professionally from staff, families, and children.
• Conduct weekly site visits and analyze operational data to identify service delivery trends and address systemic issues.
• Facilitate weekly one-on-one coaching sessions with CDMs to evaluate performance, discuss progress, and support growth.
• Lead monthly reviews of district-wide performance, operational data, and child development progress to identify areas for improvement.
• Organize and deliver professional development opportunities for CDMs based on monthly performance reviews and goals.
• Conduct comprehensive annual evaluations of service delivery, curriculum implementation, and CDM performance.
• Collaborate with leadership to develop long-term strategic plans, set organizational goals, and enhance communication across teams.

What It Takes:

• BA/BS or MA, is preferred, in Early Childhood Education (ECE), Social Work, Family Studies, or related field of Education with an emphasis in ECE.
• Minimum 2 years of supervisory experience in ECE programming.
• Knowledge of early childhood developmentally appropriate practice (DAP).
• The equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted.
• Knowledge of Head Start Performance Standards.
• Ability to speak, write, and read Spanish preferred.
• Certification in First Aid/CPR, Food Handler’s Card, and Fingerprint Clearance Card required.
• Functional knowledge of Arizona Childcare Licensing Requirements.
• Ability to speak, write, and read Spanish preferred

Southwest Human Development is committed to creating a safe, healthy, and supportive environment for our employees and the communities we serve.  

Learn more about working with us 

 Our core values reflect our commitment to children, families, caregivers, and the communities we serve. They guide how we work, how we support one another, and how we grow as a team. Learn more about our values and benefits here.