Position Summary: The Associate Director of Program Operations provides strategic, operational, and compliance leadership across all Head Start, Early Head Start, CCTR, and CSPP program sites. This role ensures high-quality service delivery, full enrollment, operational consistency, and adherence to federal, state, and local regulations. The Associate Director directly supervises Area Managers and leads multi-site operational systems that support program excellence, workforce stability, and strong outcomes for children and families.
Essential Duties & ResponsibilitiesProgram & Operational Leadership- Program Operations Oversight - Leads daily operations across multiple sites, ensuring consistent implementation of systems, procedures, and quality standards aligned with Head Start Performance Standards, Title 5, Title 22, and CCTR/CSPP regulations.
- Multisite Management - Oversees operational performance across all assigned sites, ensuring alignment, efficiency, and compliance in service delivery.
- Area Manager Supervision - Provides direct supervision, coaching, and performance management for Area Managers. Ensures they maintain operational consistency, meet enrollment targets, and uphold compliance expectations.
- Operational Accountability - Holds Area Managers accountable for enrollment, attendance, staffing, documentation, and timely follow-through on all operational tasks.
- Cross-Department Collaboration - Partners with Education, Family Services, Health, HR, and Facilities to ensure integrated service delivery and coordinated operational support.
Enrollment, Attendance & Recruitment- Enrollment Oversight - Monitors enrollment, recruitment, attendance, and retention across all sites; implements strategies to maintain full enrollment and compliance with funded capacity.
- Ensures Area Managers and site teams follow enrollment procedures, complete finals promptly, and maintain accurate documentation.
- Uses data to identify enrollment trends, gaps, and needed interventions.
Compliance & Quality Assurance- Compliance Leadership - Ensures all sites meet Head Start Performance Standards, CCTR/CSPP requirements, licensing regulations, and agency policies.
- Oversees monitoring activities, corrective action plans, and continuous quality improvement processes.
- Ensures operational documentation is accurate, timely, and audit-ready.
Union Environment Leadership- Unionized Workforce Management - Navigates staffing, scheduling, and operational decisions within a unionized environment. Ensures adherence to collective bargaining agreements and supports positive labor-management relationships.
- Provides guidance to Area Managers on contract compliance and workforce practices.
Staff Leadership & Development- Supervisor Development - Coaches Area Managers to strengthen leadership skills, operational decision-making, and team management.
- Supports professional development, workforce stability, and succession planning.
- Conducts performance evaluations and leads improvement plans when needed.
Data-Driven Decision Making- Data Analysis - Uses program data to monitor operational performance, enrollment, attendance, staffing, and compliance.
- Identifies trends and implements targeted improvement strategies.
Facilities, Safety & Emergency Preparedness- Facilities Coordination - Supports Area Managers in addressing facilities needs, safety concerns, and operational disruptions.
- Ensures sites maintain emergency preparedness procedures and safety compliance.
Required Qualifications- Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Public Administration, or related field; Master's preferred.
- Minimum 5 years of supervisory experience, including direct supervision of managers or multisite leadership roles.
- Experience supervising Area Managers or equivalent mid-level leaders.
- Demonstrated experience in Head Start, Early Head Start, CCTR, and CSPP operations.
- Experience working within a unionized environment.
- Strong knowledge of Head Start Performance Standards, Title 5, Title 22, and CCTR/CSPP regulations.
- Proven ability to lead complex operations across multiple sites and support managers in achieving program goals.
- Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
Preferred Qualifications- Experience with program monitoring, CLASS, DRDP, and other early childhood assessment systems.
- Experience managing budgets, contracts, and operational workflows.
- Bilingual skills (English/Spanish) highly desirable.
Core Competencies- Leadership & Team Development
- Operational Excellence
- Compliance & Accountability
- Strategic Planning
- Relationship Building
- Data Analysis & Reporting
- Problem Solving & Decision Making
OTHER/SPECIAL: Ability to pass a physical examination and tuberculin skin test. Meet the State of California immunization requirement for employees of day care centers, immunization proof against influenza, pertussis and measles. Fingerprint clearance and criminal record check required. Verification of current driver's license and insurance required for personal car usage.
