Head Start Director

Gabriel Group; Dodgeville (WI); On-site; USD 81,000 - 84,000; Full time

Job summary

SWCAP is seeking a Head Start Director to provide strategic leadership for Head Start, Early Head Start, and related programs in Wisconsin. You will guide planning, budgeting, compliance, and quality improvement and foster partnerships with families, school districts, and the SWCAP Board of Directors.

You will lead program development, monitor performance, and ensure adherence to federal, state, and local regulations while building staff capacity and ensuring fiscal accountability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Education, or related field.
• At least four years in Early Childhood Education or Education.
• At least four years leading or supervising staff.
• Experience with fiscal management and budgets.
• Extensive experience with grant and contract compliance.
• Experience measuring program outcomes and working with Boards/Councils.
• Knowledge of federal/state rules for early childhood programs.
• Ability to analyze data to support program improvement.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and oversight for Head Start and related programs.
• Develop strategic plans, school readiness goals, and improvements.
• Lead self-assessment, community assessment, planning, and monitoring.
• Ensure compliance with Head Start standards and licensing.
• Oversee grants, contracts, PIR and reporting activities.
• Develop and manage program budgets with fiscal team.
• Analyze data on enrollment, attendance, and outcomes for improvements.
• Supervise program managers and department staff.
• Ensure staffing, training, and TA to support services.
• Collaborate with Policy Council and SWCAP Board for actions.
• Build partnerships with districts, communities, families, stakeholders.

Skills

Leadership

Budget management

Regulatory compliance

Data analysis

Grant & contracts

Staff supervision

Communication

Microsoft Office

Data reporting

Education

Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education

Tools

Microsoft Office

Databases

Job description

• Base Pay $80,701.49 - $83,961.83 / Year
• Employee Type Full Time Exempt
• Manage Others Yes

Contact information

• Name SWCAP HR
• Phone [phone]
• Email [e-mail]

Description

Join SWCAP and lead programs that make a lasting impact on children, families, and communities. As the Head Start Director, you will provide strategic leadership and oversight for Head Start, Early Head Start, and related early childhood programs. You will lead program planning, compliance, fiscal management, staff development, and continuous quality improvement while building strong partnerships with families, community organizations, Policy Council, and the SWCAP Board of Directors.

This position is ideal for an experienced early childhood leader who is passionate about strengthening outcomes for children and families and can effectively balance program quality, regulatory compliance, fiscal responsibility, and staff leadership. All work is guided by SWCAP’s core values of Integrity, Collaboration, Innovation, Dignity, Compassion, Belonging, and Equitable Leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership, direction, and oversight for Head Start, Early Head Start, and related program activities.
• Develop and monitor strategic plans, program goals, school readiness goals, and continuous improvement activities.
• Lead program self-assessment, community assessment, program planning, and ongoing monitoring processes.
• Ensure compliance with Head Start Performance Standards, Wisconsin Child Care Licensing requirements, and all applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
• Oversee grant and contract compliance, including preparing grant applications, reports, and the annual Program Information Report (PIR).
• Develop, monitor, and manage program budgets in collaboration with the fiscal team and ensure resources are used effectively and within funding requirements.
• Analyze program data, outcomes, enrollment, attendance, and school readiness information to identify opportunities for program improvement.
• Provide leadership and supervision to program managers and other department staff, including hiring, training, performance management, and problem resolution.
• Ensure appropriate staffing, work plans, training, and technical assistance are in place to support high-quality program services.
• Collaborate with Head Start Policy Council and the SWCAP Board of Directors and ensure required program actions and approvals are brought forward appropriately.
• Build and maintain partnerships with school districts, community organizations, families, and other stakeholders to strengthen services and outcomes.
• Monitor and interpret federal, state, and local legislative and regulatory developments affecting Head Start.
• Represent SWCAP and Head Start at local, state, and federal meetings and through community and public relations activities.
• Oversee program policies, procedures, Memorandums of Understanding, and other agreements necessary to support program operations.
• Promote innovative approaches and collaborative strategies that improve services for children and families.
• Prepare and present program reports, outcomes, and recommendations to agency leadership, Policy Council, the Board of Directors, and funding sources.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Education, or a related field.
• At least four years of experience in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or Education.
• At least four years of experience leading or supervising staff.
• Experience with fiscal management, including budget development and/or monitoring and managing multiple funding sources.
• Extensive experience with grant and contract compliance.
• Experience measuring and achieving program outcomes.
• Knowledge of federal and state rules, regulations, and laws related to early childhood programs.
• Ability to analyze data and use information to support program improvement and decision-making.
• Experience developing and managing budgets.
• Experience working with Boards, Councils, or similar governing bodies.
• Strong written, verbal, presentation, and public speaking skills.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and experience using databases for data tracking and reporting.
• Reliable, licensed, and insured transportation.
• Successful completion of required background checks, including Sex Offender Registry, Child Abuse and Neglect, and Criminal History/fingerprinting checks.

Preferred

• Experience in Head Start or Early Head Start.
• Experience working with Head Start Performance Standards and Wisconsin Child Care Licensing regulations.
• Experience overseeing multiple funding sources, grants, and contracts.
• Experience leading organizational or program-wide continuous quality improvement efforts.
• Experience developing and maintaining community partnerships.
• Experience working with Policy Councils, Boards of Directors, or other advisory/governing bodies.
• Knowledge of community resources and services available to children and families.

Physical Requirements

This position regularly requires sitting, using hands to handle objects or controls, and communicating with others. The position frequently requires reaching with hands and arms and occasionally requires standing and walking. Employees may occasionally be required to lift or move up to 10 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

SWCAP is an Equal Opportunity Employer

We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type with regard to characteristics protected under state or federal law.