Senior Director of Programs — Early Education Impact

Grail Family Services (GFS); San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, vision, and dental insurance

401(k) with employer match (10%)

Paid time off: vacation, holidays, and

Job summary

Grail Family Services (GFS) in San Jose, CA, seeks a Director of Programs to design, implement and evaluate all programs, providing strategic leadership across preschools, daycare, FCCHEN, and community initiatives. You will partner with the Deputy Director and Senior Leadership to ensure high-quality, compliant programs and strong cross-site collaboration across the Sí Se Puede Collective.

The ideal candidate has deep experience in early childhood programs, equity, and community engagement,

Qualifications

• Minimum 7 years of progressive program management experience, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.
• Experience with State of California Department of Education and CDSS contracts.
• Knowledge of Title V and Title 22 regulations.
• Demonstrated success in staff supervision, budgeting, program evaluation, and strategic planning.
• Experience working with diverse populations, including immigrant and Spanish-speaking communities.
• Strong leadership and collaboration skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Deep commitment to equity, social justice, and community empowerment.
• Familiarity with professional development, training, and adult learning.
• Authorization to work in the United States (proof required upon employment).

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of mission-aligned program strategies and initiatives.
• Collaborate with the Deputy Director and Senior Leadership to identify and pursue strategic program opportunities and partnerships.
• Ensure programs meet high standards of excellence and comply with relevant regulations and ethical standards.
• Build shared processes and cross-site workflows so families experience seamless, coordinated care.
• Develop systems in partnership with our Evaluation Manager for program effectiveness and data-driven decision making.
• Oversee record-keeping to ensure smooth audits and regulatory compliance.
• Stay informed of changes to state and federal regulations, especially related to early childhood education.
• Identify gaps in programming and recommend solutions.
• Identify and mitigate risks related to program delivery, staffing, and compliance.
• Supervise and support program managers to foster professional growth, quality assurance, innovation and collaboration.
• Work with the Director of Operations & HR to recruit and retain qualified program staff.
• Lead a multi-generational team by providing mentorship, coaching, and clarity around expectations while honoring the organization’s culture, values, and standards.
• Collaborate with the Director of Policy and Communications on the implementation of GFS Policy Agenda.
• Partner with the Director of Finance to oversee program budgets and resource allocation and ensure reporting compliance for contracts.
• Support the Director of Development in fundraising efforts, including grant and donor reporting and programmatic compliance.
• Facilitate strong working relationships between program teams and support departments.
• Participate in collaborative work with the Si Se Puede Collective and other community partners.
• Be a visible, trusted presence in the community, representing GFS at events within and outside the organization.

Skills

Program management

Contracts management

Regulatory knowledge

Staff supervision

Budgeting

Program evaluation

Strategic planning

Diversity & inclusion

Leadership

Communication

Equity & social justice

Professional development

Job description

Grail Family Services (GFS) in San Jose, CA, seeks a Director of Programs to design, implement and evaluate all programs, providing strategic leadership across preschools, daycare, FCCHEN, and community initiatives. You will partner with the Deputy Director and Senior Leadership to ensure high-quality, compliant programs and strong cross-site collaboration across the Sí Se Puede Collective.

The ideal candidate has deep experience in early childhood programs, equity, and community engagement,