Head Start Program Director

City of Oakland; Oakland (CA); On-site; USD 164,731 - 202,265; Full time

Job summary

The City of Oakland seeks a Head Start Program Director who reports to the Director of Human Services and leads a team to direct the Head Start/Early Head Start Birth-to-Five program, aiming to meet or exceed national child outcomes and school readiness benchmarks.

This role oversees 6 direct reports, a $25 million department budget, and 100 staff, providing strategic leadership and ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local requirements while partnering with community stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field; a Master’s degree is highly desirable.
• At least five years of supervisory or managerial experience in human services.
• Experience managing or working with federally funded programs is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership; set priorities, policies and performance standards.
• Build relationships with the Policy Council, Advisory Board, Mayor’s Office, and partners.
• Oversee fiscal management, including budget development and contract administration.
• Review expenditures for compliance and monitor enrollment data for risk.
• Direct and coordinate division operations and ensure policy consistency across sites.
• Recruit, supervise and develop staff; handle inquiries and eligibility determinations.
• Establish community engagement and training programs for clients, partners and the public.

Skills

Leadership experience

Head Start/early childhood programs

Federally funded programs experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree in public administration, business administration, human services, education, health services, sociology, psychology, or a closely related field

Master’s degree is highly desirable

Job description

The Head Start Program Director reports to the Director of Human Services, or their designee, leads a team of professionals, and is responsible for the direction, management, and implementation of the Head Start/Early Head Start Birth-to-Five program. The Head Start Program Director continuously monitors the progress on meeting child outcomes and school readiness goals with the deliberate intent of meeting or exceeding the national average for child outcomes.

The position oversees 6 direct reports, a department budget of $25 million, and staff of 100.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Provide strategic and operational leadership for the division; establish priorities, goals, policies, and performance standards; and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local requirements.

• Build and sustain collaborative relationships with the Head Start Policy Council, Advisory Board, Mayor’s Office, City leadership, County, State, and Federal partners, regulatory agencies, delegate partners, and community stakeholders.
• Ensure high-quality, culturally responsive child development services aligned with Head Start Performance Standards and California early childhood education standards and Community Care licensing.
• Oversee fiscal management, including budget development, financial oversight, contract administration, invoice processing, payments and pursuit of grants and alternative funding sources.
• Review budgets, checking that expenditures align with allowable uses, and watching for early signs of risk – whether in financial reports, staffing patterns or enrollment data.
• Direct and coordinate division operations, ensuring consistency in policy implementation and effective collaboration with external agencies, consultants, and vendors.
• Recruit, supervise, and develop staff; address public inquiries and eligibility determinations; and provide technical assistance to community partners.
• Establish community engagement, education and training programs for clients, partners and members of the public. This could be townhalls or listening sessions. ideal candidate is a leader who can successfully develop and manage a diverse team. You will solve client problems while providing exceptional service and help develop new business opportunities.

KEY ATTRIBUTES

• Mission-driven, community-centered leader with a strong commitment to equity and positive outcomes for children and families.
• Deep expertise in Head Start and early childhood programs, including strong knowledge of federal performance standards, compliance, monitoring, and multiple funding streams.
• Politically astute and publicly accountable, with the ability to operate effectively in a transparent environment involving public meetings, community advocates, and multiple oversight bodies.
• Relationship builder with strong executive presence, capable of partnering effectively with the Policy Council, Advisory Board, City leadership, labor representatives, service providers, and cross-department stakeholders.
• Operationally strong with a systems mindset, able to stabilize and improve staffing structures, systems, and service delivery across multiple sites and program models.
• Talent and culture leader with a track record of hiring, retaining, developing, and coaching staff while fostering strong team dynamics and a healthy organizational culture.
• Experienced in fiscal oversight and contract management, including managing budgets, audits, procurement processes, contracts, and payment workflows.
• Effective change leader who can navigate complex organizational structures, set priorities, and execute phased improvement plans while maintaining compliance and service quality.
• Excellent communicator and presenter, able to engage effectively with individuals and communities from diverse backgrounds.
• Creative and visionary systems thinker with the ability to elevate programs and advance coordinated implementation across the City.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in public administration, business administration, human services, education, health services, sociology, psychology, or a closely related field. A Master’s degree is highly desirable.
• Leadership Experience: At least five (5) years of progressively responsible supervisory or managerial experience in human services program administration.
• Program Experience: Experience managing or working with federally funded programs (e.g., Head Start or similar grant-funded initiatives) is highly desirable.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

This comprehensive package reflects the City’s commitment to attracting and retaining top talent in public service. The salary range for this position is $164,730.84 - $202,265.88 annually. Salary is negotiable within the defined range depending on qualifications. Benefits include generous medical insurance, life insurance, automobile allowance, paid holidays, vacation, sick leave, management leave, public sector retirement (CalPERS 2.5% @ 55 classic member; 2% @ 62 new PEPRA member), and voluntary deferred compensation. Click on the link for the city’s Benefits Matrix 2026 Benefits Matrix.

HOW TO APPLY

To be considered, please submit your resume and cover letter outlining the background and experience that make you the ideal candidate, electronically, to [e-mail].