Sr. Program Operations Manager

Start Early; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 77,400 - 87,720; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive Health Plans

Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion

Holistic Wellness Program

Professional Development Program

401k Contribution

Paid Volunteer Days

6 months paid parental leave

Job summary

Start Early's Educare Chicago site seeks an experienced Administrative Operations Manager to lead administrative functions, licensing, budgeting, procurement, facilities, and staff development.

The role oversees scheduling, document management, contract renewals, safety, and cross‑functional coordination with education, health, family support, and finance teams. Requires a Bachelor's in a related field, 5+ years, and Microsoft Office proficiency.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent experience.
• Food Manager Certification or willingness to obtain within 30 days.
• 5+ years in office operations, program coordination, or admin management.
• Prior supervisory experience and strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office; knowledge of Head Start regulations is a plus.
• Ability to manage budgets, procurement, and vendor contracts.

Responsibilities

• Oversee administrative functions including scheduling, correspondence, supplies, invoices, and records.
• Coordinate Management Team meetings, agendas, documents, and communications.
• Maintain program document management, compliance submissions, and branding alignment.
• Lead licensing, accreditation, and regulator monitoring coordination and tracking.
• Support ISBE meal reimbursement, procurement documents, and vendor contracts.
• Track expenses, support annual budget planning, and ensure timely timecards.
• Supervise Facilities Supervisor, ensure safety, inspections, and contract compliance.
• Hire and develop Administrative staff; ensure coverage for facilities and nutrition teams.
• Collaborate across education, health, family support, and admin to meet program needs.

Skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Budget tracking

Vendor procurement

Project management

MS Office proficiency

Training & development

Equity & inclusion mindset

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Public Administration

Bachelor's Degree in Business Management

Bachelor's Degree in Communications

Equivalent experience

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

ChildPlus

SharePoint

Smartsheet

Job description

Job Overview

Educare Chicago provides high-quality care, best‑in‑class education, and a stimulating learning environment to children from birth to five years old on Chicago’s South Side. As a program that serves low‑income families, Educare’s research‑based program helps children develop literacy, language, early math, and social‑emotional skills they need to succeed in kindergarten and beyond.

Job Type: Full‑time

Responsibilities

• Administrative Operations & Office Systems
• Oversee all administrative functions, including scheduling, correspondence, supply management, invoice processing, and record‑keeping for the Director and Site Administrator, Management Team.
• Facilitate logistics for all Management Team meetings in collaboration with the Director and Site Administrator, including coordinating agenda development with the full Management Team, preparing and distributing all meeting documentation, sending communications to inform attendees, and ensuring the meeting space is fully prepared; may delegate tasks to the administrative team as needed. Maintain complete, audit‑ready documentation, including program binders, licensing records, contracts, correspondence logs, and personnel file compliance tracking in collaboration with People & Culture.
• Manage the program's document management systems and ensure policies and procedures are current, organized, and accessible to all staff. Support preparation and packaging of compliance submissions, self‑assessments, and funder reports across content areas. Support the maintenance of the Educare Chicago site page in collaboration with the Start Early Marketing team, ensuring program communications are accurate, current, and aligned with organizational branding standards.
• Licensing, Accreditation & Compliance Coordination:
• Lead the renewal and maintenance processes for Illinois state licensing, City of Chicago licenses, and Illinois ExceleRate Gold Circle accreditation. Serve as the internal point of coordination for DCFS, DFSS, and Office of Head Start monitoring visits — organizing documentation, scheduling, and follow‑up action tracking. Track compliance deadlines across content areas and provide timely alerts to the Director and Management team. Organize and facilitate monthly monitoring in close collaboration with the Site Administrator, including support for implementation and documentation of the Program Self‑Assessment cycle and Quality Improvement Plan (QIP). Ensure policies, procedures, the Parent Handbook, and the Emergency Preparedness Plan remain current and accessible; coordinate updates with relevant content area managers.
• Finance & Procurement Support:
• In collaboration with the Child Care Food Program Coordinator, manage the ISBE meal reimbursement process, including required monthly reporting and submission. Support the submission and tracking of consultant and contractor procurement documents and contracts; process invoice requests per the Finance department established procedures.
• Process program expenses for the Director and Site Administrator through the organization's expense management system.
• Assist in tracking program expenditures and support the Site Administrator in annual budget planning for operations and facilities. Maintain accurate vendor files and support the contract renewal process in collaboration with the Finance team. Monitor and track expense reports and purchase orders for the administrative and Management Team to ensure accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with Finance department procedures. Ensure the accuracy and timely submission of timecards for the Management Team in coordination with the Payroll department.
• Facilities & Safety Oversight:
• In collaboration with the Assistant Director of Workplace and Community Experience, provide direct supervision to the Facilities Supervisor, including regular reflective supervision, performance goal‑setting, and annual evaluation aligned with Start Early's performance management framework. Maintain strategic oversight of all facility operations at Educare Chicago, ensuring a safe, clean, and fully compliant environment for children, families, and staff.
• Review and approve facility work orders, maintenance plans, and vendor service agreements in partnership with the Facilities Supervisor; elevate issues requiring Director‑level decision‑making. Monitor contractor and vendor performance across janitorial, maintenance, security, and building services — holding the Facilities Supervisor accountable for day‑to‑day contract compliance and relationship management. Hold the Facilities Supervisor accountable for ensuring all required inspections, safety drills (fire, tornado, lockdown), and preventive maintenance schedules are completed on time and properly documented.
• Oversee compliance with Head Start standards, DCFS licensing requirements, OSHA, and local building codes as they relate to facilities; serve as the management‑level point of accountability during regulatory monitoring visits.
• Partner with the Facilities Supervisor to ensure all staff are properly trained on the Emergency Preparedness Plan, emergency procedures, and facility‑related protocols.
• Support facilities and maintenance budget development in collaboration with the Director and Site Administrator; monitor expenditures and flag variances. Serve as the program's escalation point for facility‑related concerns raised by staff, families, or building management partners (e.g., Chicago Public Schools), ensuring timely resolution and communication.
• Facilitate cross‑functional coordination between facilities and other content areas (education, health, family support) to address environmental needs, space planning, and event logistics.
• Supervision & Staff Development:
• Hire, provide reflective supervision, and evaluate the performance of Administrative Assistants, the Childcare Food Program Coordinator, and the Facilities Supervisor.
• Ensure daily coverage and adequate staffing for the administrative team; develop contingency plans for absences.
• Ensure daily coverage for the facilities team and nutrition team in the absence of the Facilities Supervisor and Childcare Food Program Coordinator.
• Lead monthly administrative team meetings; identify professional development opportunities aligned with staff growth goals. Participate in weekly facilities meetings led by the Assistant Director of Workplace and Community Experience & Facilities Supervisor.
• Support hiring managers with new hire onboarding by coordinating logistics, system access, background check compliance, maintaining job descriptions, and orientation scheduling. Facilitate staff trainings on administrative procedures, ChildPlus data entry, and the Operations & Emergency Preparedness Plan.
• Cross‑Content & Program Operations Support:
• Serve as a member of the Management Team, contributing to planning, data sharing, and decision‑making processes. Support cross‑content monitoring efforts by coordinating data collection, report compilation, and tracking systems.
• In collaboration with the Administrative Coordinator, support the Director on special initiatives and DOP‑wide priorities, including onboarding framework design and advisory board coordination.
• Maintain the program calendar for all Educare Chicago events, including family engagement activities, professional development, and compliance milestones.
• Assume opening and/or closing manager responsibilities as needed, ensuring smooth program start and end‑of‑day operations in accordance with Head Start standards and site safety protocols. Provide classroom coverage in the absence of teaching team members to ensure continuity of care and compliance with required child‑to‑staff ratios.
• Other Duties:
• Complete special projects assigned by the Director and Site Administrator. In the absence of team members, assume oversight of program vacancies and critical program needs to ensure uninterrupted service delivery and operational continuity.
• Maintain required certifications and participate in a minimum of 15 hours of continuing education annually.
• Follow all mandates of federal regulations, state and local licensing requirements, and Start Early's Standards of Conduct. Maintain confidentiality per Start Early policies; report unsafe conditions and ensure no child is left unattended.
• Implement Active Supervision strategies at all times while on program premises.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Public Administration, Business Management, Communications, or a related field required. An equivalent combination of education and demonstrated experience will be considered.
• Must have the Food Manager Certification or be willing to obtain the certification within the first 30 days of hire.
• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in office operations, program coordination, or administrative management — preferably in a nonprofit, social services, or early childhood education setting. Prior supervisory experience required.
• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and coordinate effectively across teams.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) is required, along with the ability to learn and adapt to new platforms and systems (e.g., ChildPlus, SharePoint, Smartsheet, expense and procurement management systems).
• Knowledge of Head Start regulations, performance standards, and state licensing requirements (DFSS/DCFS) is required. Working knowledge of facilities compliance (OSHA, DCFS, Head Start environmental standards) and vendor/contract management sufficient to supervise a Facilities Supervisor is expected.
• Ability to exercise discretion, maintain confidentiality, and respond to all situations in a manner that demonstrates respect and professionalism.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, along with experience in budget tracking and vendor procurement, are preferred.
• The ability and willingness to work in programs serving high‑risk, low‑income communities is required. The candidate must be able to work a flexible schedule between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., including occasional evening and weekend meetings or events as needed. A commitment to equity, cultural responsiveness, and the mission of Start Early is essential.
• Must complete a minimum of 15 hours of required annual training as outlined by Illinois state licensing and Head Start performance standards.
• Attendance at all Professional Development days required by Educare Chicago and Start Early is mandatory.
• Develop and maintain an annual professional development plan with goals aligned to the responsibilities and growth areas of this position.
• The current physical exam is renewed every two years with a TB test. (Initial physical exam cannot be dated more than 6 months prior to the 1st day of employment.) Two doses of MMR, and a TDAP less than 10 years old. General classroom conditions. Exposed to moderate noise levels. The job requires lifting up to 40 pounds. Must be able to stoop, kneel, crouch, and crawl. Should be able to run. Must be mobile; ability to sit on the floor and stand. Ability to clearly hear and understand.
• Deep commitment to advancing diversity and incorporating them into interpersonal routines and practice.
• Efficiently establish and handle relationships with colleagues/clients and gain their trust and respect.
• Relief and experience in handling risk and uncertainty to move work forward.

Benefits

• Comprehensive Health Plans
• Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion
• Holistic Wellness Program
• Professional Development Program
• 401k Contribution
• Paid Volunteer Days
• 6 months paid parental leave
• and much more.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Start Early is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to our core values by creating an inclusive environment for all staff.

Salary

$77,400.00 - $87,720.00