Job summary
Job post source
This job is directly from Start Early
Job overview
The Deputy Director at Start Early leads the Head Start program operations, ensuring compliance and enhancing early childhood services to impact over 2,000 children and families in the Chicagoland area.
Responsibilities and impact
The Deputy Director oversees Head Start program compliance, collaborates on fiscal budgeting, manages staff and program operations, supports governance with the Policy Council, monitors education program implementation, prepares reports, and fosters collaboration within the agency and community.
Compensation and benefits
The base annual salary ranges from $130,000 to $150,000, with benefits including comprehensive health plans, diversity and inclusion commitment, wellness and professional development programs, 401k contribution, paid volunteer days, and six months paid parental leave.
Experience and skills
Requires a Master's degree in education or related field, six plus years of progressive Head Start administrative experience, strong management skills, knowledge of Head Start operations, fiscal management, regulatory compliance, and effective communication with diverse populations.
Career development
The role offers leadership growth within a large Head Start network, opportunities to influence early childhood program systems, and professional development through Start Early's programs.
Work environment and culture
Start Early fosters a mission-driven, inclusive, and empowering culture valuing diversity, respect, excellence, and communication, encouraging employees to be motivated and passionate about their work.
Company information
Start Early is a national leader in early learning and care focused on closing opportunity gaps and building inclusive experiences for young learners through program, policy, and research partnerships.
Team overview
The Deputy Director partners closely with the Vice President of Early Head Start Network and supervises multiple Assistant Directors across education, health, family engagement, and professional development.
Job location and travel
This position requires residency in the Chicagoland area with regular travel throughout Chicago and suburbs for meetings and site visits.
Unique job features
This role is distinguished by its leadership in one of Chicago's largest Head Start recipients, involvement in high-level advocacy, and a two-year funded position with relocation support if needed.
Company overview
Start Early, a nonprofit organization founded in 1982 and based in Chicago, Illinois, focuses on advancing quality early learning and care for children in under-resourced communities. Originally known as the Ounce of Prevention Fund, the organization partners with various educational institutions, including Educare Chicago, to provide equitable early learning experiences. Start Early supports practitioners and leaders through research, professional development, and data-driven approaches, aiming to close the opportunity gap for young learners. The organization operates from its headquarters at 33 W. Monroe Street, Suite 1200, Chicago, IL.
How to land this job
Position your resume to highlight leadership in early childhood education, especially your experience managing Head Start or similar programs, emphasizing compliance with federal and state regulations.
Focus on showcasing your skills in program operations, fiscal management, team supervision, and collaborative leadership, aligning with the Deputy Director responsibilities at Start Early.
Apply through multiple platforms including Start Early's official careers page, LinkedIn job postings, and specialized early education job boards to maximize your application visibility.
Connect with current Start Early employees in the Early Head Start Network division on LinkedIn; use ice breakers such as commenting on recent program expansions or expressing enthusiasm for their mission of closing the opportunity gap in early learning.
Optimize your resume for ATS by incorporating keywords from the job description such as 'Head Start Performance Standards,' 'program compliance,' 'fiscal budget management,' 'team supervision,' and 'early childhood administration' to ensure it passes automated screenings.
Utilize Jennie Johnson's Power Apply feature to automate tailored resume customization, multi-site application submissions, and LinkedIn networking outreach, freeing your time to prepare for interviews and other job search activities.
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