Center Manager - PYG (Hiring Incentive)

Urban Strategies; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Urban Strategies is searching for a Center Manager for the Early Head Start program in Houston, Texas. This role involves overseeing program operations, ensuring compliance with regulations, and leading a team dedicated to improving early childhood education for vulnerable communities.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education and experience in an administrative or supervisory capacity. Strong organizational and communication skills are essential for success in this position.

To apply, send your resume to [e-mail].

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.
• Three plus years of administrative experience in an education setting.
• Experience with Texas Licensing Minimum Standards.

Responsibilities

• Manage all aspects of center operations.
• Ensure compliance with Head Start Program Performance Standards.
• Lead planning and implementation of goals for the program.

Skills

Leadership ability

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Time-management skills

Bilingual (English and Spanish)

Education

Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education or related field

Tools

MS Office Suite

Job description

Job Title

Center Manager – Early Head Start

Category

Exempt

Program

Urban Strategies Early Head Start

Work Schedule

Five days per week / Full Time (40 hours per week) / 12 months per year

Reports To

Director, Early Head Start

Organizational Overview

Urban Strategies connects resources to grassroots organizations to serve children and families in need. Our highly qualified team is committed to real change in the country’s most vulnerable communities, helping individuals, families, and communities realize their fullest potential by achieving the following goals:

• Keeping children safe and secure
• Building nurturing and stable families
• Improving school readiness
• Fostering effective parenting
• Developing social and emotional competence
• Advancing research‑based practices

By reaching these goals, Urban Strategies meets its mission to create strong, healthy families, advance school readiness for children, build engaged communities, and make a difference in vulnerable communities.

Position Overview

Responsible for three major functions in the administration of the Early Head Start Program: (1) implementation and supervision of all aspects of center operations; (2) collaboration with the EHS Director, Program Managers, teachers, and staff to assure compliance with Head Start Program Performance Standards and Texas Child Care licensing requirements; and (3) implementation of human resources policies and procedures applicable to center staff.

Essential Functions

• Establish and sustain a collaborative partnership with the host church, pastor, and church staff.
• Lead planning, implementation, and monitoring of the goals, objectives, and expected outcomes of the Early Head Start Program.
• Plan the collection, analysis, and use of data regarding goals, objectives, and expected outcomes and implement continuous improvement strategies.
• Continuously document progress in the achievement of goals, objectives, and expected outcomes and provide a report to the EHS Director.
• Ensure full enrollment in the program option being implemented.
• Ensure the center is fully equipped with all furniture, materials, and supplies.
• Supervise and evaluate all center staff.
• Conduct daily observations of classrooms, offices, kitchen, and playground.
• Implement the CACFP program, monitoring daily meal service, documentation, and reporting.
• Ensure compliance with daily staff–child ratios and daily attendance.
• Ensure the health, safety, cleanliness, and sanitation of indoor and outdoor learning environments.
• Provide training to center staff in all areas of center operations.
• Lead implementation of parent engagement activities, including parent meetings, open houses, parent/teacher conferences, home visits, and communication with parents regarding referrals and child needs.
• In collaboration with the EHS Director and HR Director, implement personnel policies and procedures inclusive of background checks and hiring, evaluation, compensation, termination procedures, standards of conduct, staff qualifications and competency requirements, staff health and wellness, and recruitment and training of volunteers.
• Assist in developing an employee handbook summarizing all personnel policies and an employee handbook that summarizes policies and procedures for the operation of the center and communication procedures.
• Collaborate with the EHS Director to develop a training and professional development plan for all center staff, regardless of program option, that adheres to the Head Start Program Performance Standards.
• Support the EHS Director in conducting employee orientation inclusive of compensation, benefits, hours of work, expectations, annual calendar, etc.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding all personnel actions, legal actions, terminations, and non‑renewal documents and organizational plans.
• Complete other related activities and duties as assigned.

Physical Responsibilities

Ability to see at normal distances, hear normal conversations and sounds, and use hands and fingers for required tasks. Occasional lifting up to 50 pounds and moving 50 pounds horizontally is required. Must be able to sit on the floor, bend at the waist, kneel, and stoop 25% of the time. The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions if the disability does not create undue risk of injury.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Family and Human Development, or equivalent in a related field.
• Three plus years’ experience working in an administrative capacity in an education setting with at least three years of supervisory experience.
• Experience in Human Resources management and operations and use of management information systems.
• Experience and/or knowledge of Texas Licensing Minimum Standards.
• Experience in the CACFP guidelines and implementation.
• Leadership ability with excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to work independently and maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality.
• Strong organizational and time‑management skills, ability to meet tight deadlines.
• Advanced knowledge of MS Office Suite.
• Bilingual (English and Spanish).

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Education Curriculum & Instruction or Administrator’s Certification.
• Five plus years’ experience working in an administrative capacity with five years of supervisory experience.
• Significant experience in education administration, with knowledge and skills in finance and human resources.
• Knowledge of Head Start Performance Standards and Texas Child Care Minimum Standards.

Special Considerations

• All EHS employees must pass a mandatory criminal background check upon hire and every five years thereafter.
• Initial health exam and initial TB test every five years and annual TB questionnaire, immunizations including Hepatitis B or sign waiver.

Employment is conditional pending satisfactory results of all required tests and background checks mentioned above. Periodic physical examinations and TB clearances will be required if hired.

To Apply

Please send resume and application to [e-mail].