Program Manager, Early Childhood Education

Cuyahoga Community College; Parma (OH); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Cuyahoga Community College Western Campus seeks a Program Manager, Early Childhood Education to lead college-wide education programs, oversee curricula and schedules, and ensure accreditation standards are met.

The role partners with school districts, Head Start, and community agencies to strengthen the educator pipeline and workforce readiness. Requires a bachelor’s (or master’s) in education with substantial leadership experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in education or related with five years’ experience in teaching and/or administration in Early Childhood Education
• Demonstrated record of successful program recruitment and facilitation of student success and completion
• Demonstrated experience in curriculum development and academic scheduling
• Demonstrated experience effectively making decisions with broad implications on program management and operations across an educational system
• Demonstrated experience developing and sustaining school–community partnerships and collaborative initiatives

Responsibilities

• Advises, recruits, orients, and monitors program student success and completion.
• Develops, schedules, monitors, and evaluates student placement and works with faculty on identifying and evaluating practicum facilities and learning.
• Monitors course enrollments, builds course schedules and coordinates Education course offerings college-wide in collaboration with program leadership.
• Develops and manages partnerships with school districts, early childhood education centers, Head Start programs, childcare providers, community agencies, libraries, nonprofit organizations, and workforce development agencies.
• Establishes and sustains early learning/school-community partnerships that support field experiences, practicum placements, apprenticeships, workforce pathways, and community engagement initiatives.
• Coordinates student background check and preservice teacher permit processes including advising students with convictions and referrals.
• Coordinates development and revision of curriculum in conjunction with program faculty.
• Coordinates Advisory Committee meetings and all program admission activities.
• Provides input for outcomes assessment and program objectives.
• Develops and maintains effective communication with prospective and enrolled students, alumni, faculty, practicum sites, and community.
• Collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to design pathways addressing teacher shortages, equity, and workforce readiness.
• Establishes and maintains partnerships and articulation with districts and early childhood centers.
• Serves as liaison with Ohio Department of Higher Education on related matters.
• Informs deans and faculty on licensing and accreditation policy changes.
• May supervise part-time staff or student employees.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills

Communication

Leadership

Curriculum planning

Recruitment

Partnerships

Scheduling

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Job description

Program Manager, Early Childhood Education

Program Manager, Early Childhood Education

Department: Liberal Arts and Social Sciences

Location: Western Campus

Reports To: Associate Dean, Social Sciences

Recruitment Type: External/Internal

Requisition ID:req7326

Employment Type: Administration and Professionals

Union Position: Non-Union

Work Schedule: M-F, 8:30 am - 5pm; some evening or weekend hours may be required for events and community meetings

Number of Openings: 1

Job Description:

SUMMARY

Provides college-wide leadership for the organization, administration, and continuous improvement of all education programs, ensuring their overall quality and effectiveness. Oversees academic planning, including development and periodic review of curricula and the preparation of comprehensive course schedules. Ensures compliance with accreditation standards, conducts ongoing program assessment and manages key operational areas such as student recruitment and program marketing. Guides hiring decisions, orientation, development, and evaluation of adjunct faculty in collaborations with the Liberal Arts and Social Sciences leadership. Leads strategic school-community partnerships, early learning collaborations, and workforce initiatives that strengthen the educator pipeline. Serves as the primary liaison for the program to school districts, early learning agencies, state departments, community organizations, and higher education institutions to advance educational opportunities and support regional workforce needs.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Advises, recruits, orients, and monitors program student success and completion.
  
• Develops, schedules, monitors, and evaluates student placement and works with faculty on identifying and evaluating practicum facilities and learning.
  
• Monitors course enrollments, builds course schedules and coordinates Education course offerings college-wide in collaboration with Liberal Arts and Social Sciences Associate Deans and Faculty Coordinators.
  
• Develops and manages partnerships with school districts, early childhood education centers, Head Start programs, childcare providers, community agencies, libraries, nonprofit organizations, and workforce development agencies.
  
• Establishes and sustains early learning/school-community partnerships that support field experiences, practicum placements, apprenticeships, workforce pathways, and community engagement initiatives.
  
• Coordinates student background check and preservice teacher permit processes which include meeting and advising students with convictions, discussing appeal options, and making referrals.
  
• Conducts program orientations via class visits to review program handbook, program requirements, professional ethics and expectations, BCI and FBI background checks, and field experience requirements with all students enrolled in ECED 1010 and EDUC 1011 courses college-wide.
• Coordinates development and revision of curriculum in conjunction with program faculty.
  
• Coordinates Advisory Committee meetings and all program admission activities.
  
• Provides input for outcomes assessment and program objectives.
  
• Develops and maintains effective communication with prospective and enrolled students, alumni, faculty, practicum sites, and community.
  
• Collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to design innovative pathways that address teacher shortages, educational equity, workforce readiness, and access to high-quality early learning opportunities.
  
• Establishes, maintains, and facilitates partnership agreements; university transfer articulation agreements, and relations with local school districts and early childhood education centers.
  
• Serves as the College’s liaison between Ohio Department of Higher Education and related agencies on matters related to early childhood and teacher preparation program(s).
  
• Informs, updates, and alerts deans and faculty on state licensing and accreditation policy changes that inform program instruction, training, course offerings and outreach such as Ohio Child Licensing and Quality System (OCLQS).
  
• May functionally supervise part-time support staff or student employees.
  
• Performs other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE/TRAINING

• Bachelor’s degree in education, early childhood education, or related with five years’ experience in teaching and/or administration in Early Childhood Education at the elementary or secondary level OR a master’s degree with three years of above experience.
  
  • Significant related experience may substitute for education.
    
• Demonstrated record of successful program recruitment and facilitation of student success and completion.
  
• Demonstrated experience in curriculum development and academic scheduling.
  
• Demonstrated experience effectively making decisions that have significant, broad implications on program management and operations across an educational system.
  
• Demonstrated effectiveness in a role requiring dynamic and abstract problem-solving methods in adaptive situations.
  
• Demonstrated experience developing and sustaining school-community partnerships and collaborative initiatives with educational and community stakeholders.
  

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and ABILITIES

• Possess knowledge of learning theory, program planning, development, management, evaluation, and credentialing of teachers at the early childhood, elementary, and secondary education levels.
  
• Possess knowledge of regional, national accreditation, and state licensure requirements for educators.
  
• Ability to analyze educational trends, workforce needs, and policy implications to inform strategic planning.
  
• Ability and willingness to travel.
  
• Possess excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
  
• Possess strong organizational, time-management skills, and is results-oriented.
  
• Possess strong commitment to providing excellent customer service.
  
• Ability to work effectively in a dynamic and changing work environment requiring flexibility and teamwork.
  
• Ability to confidentially and discreetly handle subject matters requiring privacy and sensitivity.
  
• Ability to collaborate, negotiate, and resolve conflicts on major projects.
  
• Ability to develop and maintain relationships with key contacts to enhance workflow and quality.
  
• Possess sensitivity to appropriately respond to the needs of students and the community.
  
• Ability to work effectively with varying populations and foster welcoming learning and work environments.
  

COMPETENCIES

CRITICAL COMPETENCIES

• Service Focus
  
• Quality of Work
  

VERY IMPORTANT COMPETENCIES

• Communication
  

IMPORTANT COMPETENCIES

• PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
  
• Two years of teaching experience at the PK-3 grade level
• Demonstrated experience managing grants, contracts, budgets, reporting requirements, and compliance measure
  

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORKING CONDITIONS

(The demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)

• The work is performed in a normal, professional office environment.
  
• The work area is adequately lit, heated and ventilated.
  
• Typically, the employee may sit comfortably to perform the duties of the job and will perform repetitive motions with hands/fingers using a computer mouse and keyboard to type. However, there may be some walking; standing; bending; carrying of light items such as papers, files, pamphlets, books, etc..
• Work may also require walking and standing in conjunction with travel to and attendance at meetings and conferences away from the worksite.

Target Starting Salary Range: $65,000 TO $75,000
The final offer for the successful candidate is targeted to fall within this range but will be based upon an assessment of internal equity, the unit’s available budget, and the candidate’s qualifications in relation to the minimum and/or preferred job requirement(s).

Special Note: If hired, you must reside in the state of Ohio and be within commuting distance of this work location/campus to respond to onsite work demands upon the employment start date and throughout the duration of your employment with the College, as outlined in 3354:1-40-01.1 Recruitment and Selection Procedure.

Equal Opportunity Statement: Cuyahoga Community College is committed to attaining excellence through the recruitment and retention of a qualified workforce. Cuyahoga Community College is an equal employment/educational opportunity institution.