Education Manager

MAAC (Metropolitan Area Advisory Committee; California (MO); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

An established nonprofit organization is seeking an Education Manager to lead early childhood education programs. This pivotal role involves ensuring compliance with educational standards while fostering a nurturing learning environment for children and families. You will oversee program operations, mentor staff, and collaborate with community partners to empower families. If you are passionate about early childhood education and committed to making a difference in the lives of children, this is an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic team dedicated to community service and advocacy.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years leadership experience in early childhood education.
• Strong understanding of compliance with Head Start and state regulations.

Responsibilities

• Oversee early childhood education programs ensuring compliance and quality.
• Guide teachers in implementing evidence-based curricula and assessment.

Skills

Early childhood education program management

Curriculum development

Coaching and mentoring teachers

Cultural and linguistic diversity understanding

Data analysis for program improvement

Leadership and collaboration

Compliance with educational standards

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education

Master's Degree in related field

Tools

CLASS assessment tools

Creative Curriculum

HighScope

Frog Street

Job description

Location: North Campus Administration - Vista, CA
Salary: $70K - $90K
52 Weeks

OUR STORY

Since 1965, MAAC has been maximizing self-sufficiency with families and individuals through high-quality programs and advocacy in our communities. MAAC employs dedicated staff who provide life-changing services to thousands of individuals annually through programs in five core focus areas: Education, Economic Development, Health & Wellbeing, Housing, and Advocacy & Leadership Development. Through a wide variety of programs, MAAC has grown to become one of the largest nonprofit social service organizations in the community. Learn more about the great things happening with MAAC at http://www.maacproject.org/

Under the guidance of the Associate Director of Programs and Education, the Education Manager plays a key role in shaping the learning experiences of young children while also fostering meaningful relationships with families and staff. This position is responsible for planning, coordinating, and overseeing early childhood education programs, including Head Start (HS), Early Head Start (EHS), State Preschool, and QPI. The Education Manager ensures that children receive high-quality, developmentally appropriate education in a safe and welcoming environment, meeting all local, state, and federal standards. Beyond compliance, this role is about building a nurturing learning community that values the diverse backgrounds, cultures, and languages of the children and families we serve. We are looking for someone who not only understands early childhood education but also understands the experiences of the children and families in our programs. Many of our families are immigrants, and our team must create an environment where both children and parents feel seen, heard, and valued.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Education Manager serves as a leader, mentor, and advocate, ensuring that curriculum, teaching strategies, and program operations meet compliance requirements and high-quality standards. Key responsibilities include:

1. Program Oversight and Compliance:
   • Provide programmatic oversight to ensure compliance with Head Start Performance Standards, California Title 5 and Title 22 regulations, QRIS, DRDP, and CLASS assessment standards.
   • Conduct regular classroom observations using research-based assessment tools such as CLASS to monitor teacher-child interactions and identify areas for improvement.
   • Work closely with peer managers and center directors to maintain high-quality learning environments and ensure all program sites meet safety and licensing standards.
   • Develop, implement, and monitor school readiness goals in alignment with federal and state guidelines.
2. Curriculum and Instructional Leadership:
   • Guide and support center directors, teachers, and education staff in implementing evidence-based curricula such as Creative Curriculum, HighScope, Frog Street or identify other curricula as appropriate.
   • Ensure individualized lesson planning that incorporates child assessments, family input, and cultural relevance.
   • Support teachers in integrating social-emotional learning (SEL) strategies, trauma-informed practices, and dual-language learning approaches into their classrooms.
   • Lead data-driven decision-making by analyzing child outcome data to refine curriculum implementation and improve student learning experiences.
3. Professional Development and Staff Support:
   • Supervise and coach a team of education specialists and support staff, ensuring they have the training and resources needed to excel.
   • Provide ongoing professional development on curriculum fidelity, instructional best practices, and child development research.
   • Collaborate with the Human Resources department on staff recruitment, retention, and credentialing to ensure all teaching staff meet state and federal requirements.
4. Collaboration with Community Engagement & Economic Mobility:
   • Collaborate with Community Engagement & Economic Mobility staff to develop strategies that empower parents as partners in their child’s education, including parent workshops and home learning resources.
   • Work closely with family service staff to support families with Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSPs) and Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) in collaboration with school districts and early intervention providers.
   • Ensure that parent communication is culturally and linguistically appropriate, fostering strong relationships between families and educational staff.
5. Quality Assurance and Continuous Improvement:
   • Coordinate and partner with Quality Assurance, Compliance, Training & Development and Evaluation staff to monitor, track and share program data and performance.
   • Participate in Program Self-Assessment and Federal Monitoring Reviews, leading action plans for continuous quality improvement.
   • Utilize child assessment data (e.g., DRDP, CLASS, COR Advantage) to track program effectiveness and identify trends.
   • Stay informed on emerging research and best practices in early childhood education, child development, and equity-focused teaching strategies.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

Knowledge of:

• Early childhood education program management with a strong foundation in curriculum development, assessment, and compliance.
• Coaching and mentoring teachers to improve instructional quality.
• Understanding and appreciating the cultural and linguistic diversity of the families we serve.
• Analyzing program data and using it to drive strategic improvements.
• Leadership and collaboration skills to work effectively with peer managers, center directors, and external partners.
• Thriving in a fast-paced, highly regulated environment, ensuring that all compliance requirements are met while fostering innovation.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/CERTIFICATION

• Minimum Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field (Master’s preferred).
• At least five years of progressive leadership experience in an early childhood education setting.
• Expertise in Head Start/Early Head Start, State Preschool, and other publicly funded early education programs.
• Strong understanding of Title 5, Title 22, DRDP, QRIS, and CLASS assessment tools.
• Experience supervising and coaching teachers in a culturally responsive manner.
• Proficiency in data collection, reporting, and program evaluation.
• Bilingual skills (English/Spanish) highly preferred.

VALUE-BASED BEHAVIORS

Listens attentively to others. Asks clarifying questions to gain a better understanding of the other person’s views and underlying assumptions. Works effectively in a team environment and actively participates in joint problem solving; willingly cooperates with co-workers. Identifies and takes advantage of opportunities for personal and professional development. Attends work consistently and punctually. Arrives to meetings prepared and on time; honors work commitments; follows through on what was agreed upon; meets deadlines. Honors the private and confidential matters of co-workers. Protects the proprietary information of MAAC systems. Follows rules, regulations, and policies; positively contributes to implementing changes. Deals with issues directly, in a respectful and timely manner. Focuses on resolving the issue while not criticizing the person. Follows rules, regulations, and policies; positively contributes to implementing changes.

HEALTH STATUS

Must have a physical examination, TB clearance and a drug screen by a doctor/clinic designated by MAAC as well as immunization records for influenza, pertussis and measles as required by state and federal regulations prior to the first day of employment.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this class, an employee is regularly required to stand, walk and sit, talk or hear both in person and by telephone, uses hands to finger, handle or feel objects or controls, reach with hands and arms. An employee also is regularly required to stoop, kneel, bend, crouch or crawl, climb or balance and lift up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, color vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Mental Demands

While performing the duties of this class, the employee is regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret information; analyze and solve problems; observe and interpret people and situations; use basic math; learn and apply new information or skills; work under intensive deadlines and interact with MAAC management, administrators, staff, teachers, parents, family members, children and others encountered in the course of work.

BACKGROUND CLEARANCE

All positions are subject to a background/education check, DMV check, NSOR, exclusion and debarment checks prior to hire and periodically throughout employment as required by various funding sources.

Note: California Start law requires background criminal checks on anyone who works in a licensed childcare facility who is not a client. Must have or obtain a current criminal background check clearance, signed criminal record statement, and signed Acknowledgement to Report Child Abuse form prior to the first day of employment.

TRANSPORTATION

Must have and maintain a valid California Driver’s License, daily use of a personal, insured vehicle, and have and maintain a motor vehicle driving record acceptable to MAAC’s insurance carrier. Incumbents will be enrolled in the California DMV Pull Program.