Head Start Program Director

Innovative Network of Knowledge; San Antonio (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Innovative Network of Knowledge seeks a senior leader to oversee Head Start and related federal programs, ensuring fiduciary integrity and high-quality services. You will guide policy, budgets, and staffing to support child and family outcomes, while maintaining strong partnerships with the Board and federal agencies.

This role requires strategic thinking, compliance expertise, and effective communication to align mission with scalable program delivery and continuous improvement across all sites.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s preferred.
• CDA credential preferred; CLASS Reliability preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic oversight of multi-state federal programs, ensuring fiduciary responsibilities and high-quality services.
• Maintain communication with Board of Directors, program staff, partners, and federal entities to ensure regulatory compliance.
• Submit applications, reports, and deliverables within required timeframes and standards.
• Oversee monitoring and continuous improvement to meet program goals, child safety, and compliance with licensing and fiscal standards.
• Serve as primary liaison with federal agencies, auditors, and oversight bodies.
• Support staff development, manage budgets and staffing for continuity of care, and supervise program operations.

Skills

Leadership

Financial management

Administration

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Master’s preferred

CDA credential

CLASS Reliability

Job description

It's a great feeling to work for a company that does so much good for others around the world!

Academic Req~

Bachelor’s Degree, Masters preferred

Certifications~

Preferred Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. CLASS Reliability preferred.

Work Experience~

Seven (7) years of experience in supervision of staff, fiscal management, and administration of complex programs or projects. Preferred~ Experience with federal, state, or local grants and contracts; Experience with private or non-profit organizations; Experience with non-profit administration.

Critical Action Items & Measurable Deliverables~

• Ensure a multi-state federal program, fiscal, and human resource management structure that provides effective management and oversight of all program areas and fiduciary responsibilities to enable delivery of high-quality services in all program services. (HSPPS 1302.101)
• Maintain effective communication with a dedicated Board of Directors, active policy council, program staff, community partners, and federal entities in accordance with federal regulations and performance standards.
• Ensure submission of all applications, reports, and other documentation within timeframes established in federal regulations and performance standards to ensure compliance with any audit.
• Manage ongoing monitoring and continuous improvement for achieving program goals that ensure child safety; delivery of high-quality program services; and compliance with program, licensing, contract, and fiscal standards, including in-kind contributions. (HSPPS 1302.100)
• Serve as primary liaison with federal agencies, auditors, and oversight bodies.
• Reinforce organizational culture, accountability, and mission alignment across all teams.
• Negotiate and confer with the President on contracts, leases, and vendor agreements in coordination with Executive Vice President and legal counsel.

Other Responsibilities~

• Provide regular and ongoing supervision to support individual staff professional development and continuous program quality improvement. (HSPPS 1302.101)
• Ensure budget and staffing patterns promote continuity of care for all children enrolled; allow sufficient time for staff to participate in appropriate training and professional development; and allow for provision of the full range of services. (HSPPS 1302.101)
• Ensure automated accounting and record keeping systems are adequate for effective oversight. (HSPPS 1302.101)
• Evaluate, expand and/or revise program delivery models based on program goals and outcomes.
• Negotiate and approve lease agreements, human resources agreements, and other vendor contracts, including governing body approvals and coordination with General Counsel as appropriate.
• Facilitate service expansion planning, budget preparation and long and short-term strategic planning for the agency.
• Perform other job duties as assigned.

Measurable Deliverables~

• All program personnel respect and promote the safety, health, and unique identity of each child and family enrolled in INK Head Start and Early Head Start programs. (HSPPS 1302.90)
• All staff, consultants, and contractors engaged in the delivery of program services have sufficient knowledge, training and experience, and competencies to fulfill the roles and responsibilities of their positions and to ensure high-quality service delivery in accordance with the program performance standards. (HSPPS 1302.91)
• Effective coordination, command and control is achieved through management by objectives.
• Programs and budgets comply with contractual and operational requirements.
• 100% on-time submission rate for all federal applications, reports, and required deliverables across all programs.
• Achieve or exceed 90% of federally established program performance indicators to include~ enrollment, attendance, screenings, and family engagement benchmarks.
• Maintain full enrollment across all federally funded programs, with waitlists established where applicable.
• Demonstrate year over year improvement in key child and family outcome metrics as defined by program standards.

Requirements~

• Demonstrated leadership skills through command presence and reinforcement of agency mission, vision, and culture to drive a passionate, engaged, and accountable workforce.
• Strong written and oral communication skills to inspire, grow, manage, and coach a high-performing team.
• Professional interpersonal and presentation skills to support all stakeholders, including internal and external constituencies.
• Strong "people acumen" and knowledge of human resources policy requirements and personnel management strategies.
• Ability to organize and prioritize duties and responsibilities efficiently in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to balance an innovative and entrepreneurial approach to business development with sound business practices.
• Possess sensitivity to the service population’s cultural and socio-economic characteristics.
• Ability to work independently.

English (United States)

If you like to work with people that believe they can make a difference in the world, this is the company for you!

EEO Statement

In accordance with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other applicable federal and state laws (e.g., the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), it is our policy to provide equal employment opportunity and treat all employees equally regardless of race, religion, national origin, color, sex, or any other classification made unlawful or prohibited by federal, state and/or local laws, such as age, citizenship status, veteran or military status, or disability. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, training, working conditions, transfer, job assignments, benefits, layoff, and termination. Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.