ECD ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

Fairbanks Native Association; Fairbanks (AK); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Fairbanks Native Association is seeking an Assistant Director to provide high-level administrative and operational support to the Director, ensuring the seamless delivery of Early Childhood Development programs for families and children prenatal to age five. You will balance strategic oversight with personnel management, compliance, and external partnerships.

The role leads grant management, budgeting, HR processes, and staff development; you will ensure program compliance with Head Start

Qualifications

• BS/BA degree in ECE, Social Services, or related field.
• Four (4) years of experience in ECE.
• Experience supervising staff and managing fiscal operations.
• Ability to adhere to privacy standards and handle sensitive information.
• Substitution of experience for degree allowed.

Responsibilities

• Assist Director in daily operations and act in Director's absence.
• Assist with grant management, budgeting, and compliance.
• Support recruitment, hiring, coaching, HR paperwork, and evaluations.
• Lead planning and facilitation of leadership meetings and Policy Council support.
• Ensure program compliance with Head Start/Early Head Start standards, childcare licensing regulations, and internal policies.
• Monitor staff delivery of services to families and partners.
• Maintain accurate records and data per regulations.
• Directly manage contracts and service agreements with external vendors.
• Collaborate on budgets and community partnerships.
• Attend agency events and meetings.

Skills

Leadership

Budgeting

HR paperwork

Compliance

Staff coaching

Grant management

Policy Council support

Communication

Team building

Time management

Privacy handling

Contract management

Vendor management

Education

BS/BA in ECE or related field

Experience substituted for degree allowed

Tools

MS Office Suite

Child tracking systems

Database management

HR information systems

Job description

The Assistant Director provides high-level administrative and operational support to the Director, ensuring the seamless delivery of Early Childhood (ECD) programs. This role balances strategic program oversight with management of personnel, compliance, and external partnerships. Early Childhood Development (ECD) serves families and children prenatal to age five. The Assistant Director demonstrates leadership abilities by creating and maintaining a positive learning environment for all staff and families enrolled.

JOB DUTIES

• Assists the Director in managing the daily operations of the ECD program; acts on behalf of the Director during their absence to ensure organizational continuity.
• Assist with grant management, reporting, budgeting, and compliance.
• Supports the recruitment, hiring, and coaching of staff; manages the preparation of HR paperwork and oversees the tracking system for all staff performance evaluations.
• Leads the planning and facilitation of regular leadership meetings and provides administrative support for Policy Council agendas, meetings, and trainings.
• Ensures 100% program compliance with Head Start/Early Head Start Performance Standards, state childcare licensing regulations, and internal company policies.
• Monitors systems to ensure content area staff are delivering high-quality services to colleagues, families, and community partners to achieve optimal program outcomes.
• Maintains accurate, up-to-date records, data, and materials in accordance with federal and state regulations.
• Directly manages all contracts and service agreements with external vendors, ensuring cost-effectiveness and service quality.
• Collaborates with managers and consultants to monitor component budgets, identifying community needs while ensuring conformance to fiscal requirements.
• Accepts, reviews, recommends, and approves program purchases and disbursements within established budget limitations and organizational guidelines.
• Assists with the development of community partnerships with school districts, colleges, universities, and local agencies to enhance service delivery for children and families.
• Serves as a primary point of contact for managing parent/guardian concerns and conducts formal conferences as necessary.
• Contributes to the timely completion of federal, state, and internal administrative reports.
• Attends and participates in agency events, staff meetings, Policy Council, Board meetings, and parent/community gatherings as requested.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned to support the mission of the organization.

NECESSARY KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITY

• Comprehensive understanding of Head Start/Early Head Start Performance Standards, Childcare Licensing requirements, and best practices in Early Childhood Development (ECD).
• Ability to interpret and apply federal, state, and local regulations to ensure continuous program compliance.
• Proficiency in handling sensitive personnel and family information with strict adherence to privacy standards.
• Proven ability to mentor, coach, and provide technical training to staff and parents on childhood education and professional growth.
• Skill in fostering a collaborative work environment, building effective teams, and maintaining morale across diverse program options.
• Ability to navigate complex interpersonal dynamics and manage parent/guardian concerns with diplomacy and professional judgment.
• Skill in budget development, expenditure monitoring, and ensuring fiscal accountability within grant‑funded limitations.
• Exceptional time‐management skills with the ability to manage multiple high‑priority projects concurrently while meeting strict deadlines.
• High level of skill in operating personal computers and specialized software (MS Office Suite, database management, and child tracking systems).
• Skill in negotiating and overseeing service agreements to ensure high‑quality external support.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to draft formal HR documentation, reports, and professional correspondence.
• Deep understanding and sensitivity to diverse cultures, lifestyles, and cross‑cultural communication styles.
• Ability to serve as a persuasive advocate for ECD children and families before civic organizations and community partners.
• Ability to work effectively both as an independent leader and as a high‑functioning member of a multi‑disciplinary management team.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining cooperative, respectful working relationships with colleagues, supervisors, and community stakeholders.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (Education & Experience)

• BS/BA degree in ECE, Social Services, or related field, AND
• Four (4) years of experience in ECE.
• Experience in supervision of staff, fiscal management, and administration.
• A combination of experience, education, and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may substitute for degree requirements.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS (Education & Experience)

• Candidates with an understanding of the federal grant process and prior experience and knowledge of early/Preschool Head Start or similar programs will be given preference.