Early Learning Manager - Child Development & Family Support (Multiple Openings)

Job Summary

Under general supervision, manages early learning programs for Head Start and Early Head Start across assigned preschool sites. Leads comprehensive planning for teaching and learning while ensuring classroom curricula and practices meet Head Start Performance Standards and program goals. Analyzes, interprets, and responds to child observation and assessment data to drive decision‑making, support each preschool site, and continuously improve student outcomes. Leads professional learning initiatives, engages in cross‑agency collaboration with staff serving families, and oversees health, nutrition, facilities, and safety operations. Develops and manages department policies and procedures, assists with strategic initiatives, manages department budgets, and provides direct supervision to staff in support of the College and CDFS vision, mission, and goals.

Essential Duties

• Leads site‑level and program‑wide planning for teaching and learning, ensuring alignment of classroom instruction, social‑emotional learning, and positive behavioral interventions with Head Start Performance Standards.
• Provides strategic support and input to the design and continuous improvement of early learning programs.
• Monitors compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations, licensing requirements, and MHCC policies.
• Manages and monitors child observation and assessment systems; analyzes assessment data to identify trends, evaluate instructional efficacy, and supervise targeted interventions.
• Designs, leads, and delivers high‑quality professional learning and training for staff and parents in early childhood education, assessment, and child development best practices.
• Promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion in staffing, curriculum, center culture, and community engagement.
• Coordinates continuing education opportunities to ensure staff meet Head Start qualifications.
• Establishes and maintains strong cross‑agency collaboration with staff serving families to ensure comprehensive, integrated support for children and families.
• Ensures day‑to‑day operations meet site health, safety, nutrition, and facilities management needs; provides support when managers are unavailable.
• Provides input into classroom, playground, and facility design and safety feasibility to ensure compliance with state licensing and Head Start regulations.
• Recruits, selects, orients, schedules, and supervises staff; evaluates performance, develops professional goals, provides coaching and training, recognizes achievements, and takes disciplinary action as needed.
• Conducts regular classroom observations across sites, delivering structured feedback, coaching, and support to managers and teaching staff.
• Manages day‑to‑day department budget operations, ensuring spending remains within allocations and providing input during budget planning.
• Establishes and maintains collaborative relationships with internal College departments, business partners, community agencies, and educational institutions.
• Serves as a College representative on local and state early childhood workgroups as appropriate.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s or advanced degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field.
• Experience/Training: Minimum five (5) years of experience working with children and families in an early childhood program, including at least two (2) years as a classroom teacher.
• Supervisory Experience: Minimum three (3) years of lead or supervisory experience.
• Experience using assessment data to drive educational decision‑making and improve student outcomes.
• Experience working with diverse backgrounds within the College community, students, and staff; commitment to access and diversity.
• Current driver’s license, insurance, and reliable transportation for travel between site locations.
• Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered on a year‑for‑year basis.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in early childhood education, educational leadership, or a related field.
• Bilingual skills with oral and written fluency in English and Spanish, Russian, Arabic, or another language that meets community/department needs.
• Supervisory experience in Head Start or Early Head Start programs.

Additional Qualifications

• Must be enrolled in the Oregon Central Background Registry prior to beginning employment and maintain enrollment throughout employment.
• Post‑offer fitness for duty evaluation (including TB screening and health appraisal) within 30 days of hire date.
• Must complete required Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care Self‑Study Trainings within 30 days of hire.

Skills and Abilities

• Project management, analytics, multi‑tasking, and problem‑solving.
• Strong organizational, human resource, coaching, and interpersonal skills with a team‑based leadership approach.
• Motivating, training, developing, and evaluating a high‑performing team of site managers and educators.
• Building collaboration across departments and maintaining respectful working relationships internally and externally.
• Technological proficiency, including Microsoft Windows applications, data‑management platforms, and assessment systems for data gathering, analysis, and reporting.
• Ability to plan, organize, and direct early learning operations and educational delivery across multiple preschool sites.
• Ability to anticipate site needs and make data‑driven decisions.
• Analyze complex assessment and observational data to drive decision‑making and continuous quality improvement.
• Lead professional development sessions that address adult learning principles and evidence‑based teaching strategies.
• Oversee site facilities, health protocols, and nutrition operations to ensure safe learning environments.
• Work effectively with diverse internal and external stakeholders while maintaining high ethics and integrity.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations governing early childhood education and Head Start Performance Standards.
• Understanding of adult learning principles, curriculum design, assessment systems, and child development best practices.
• Familiarity with facility, health, and nutrition standards applicable to early childhood centers.
• Experience with institutional budgeting, accounting processes, and resource allocation.

Working Conditions

• Position: Multiple vacancies, CDFS Management – Range 4, Full‑Time (1.0 FTE), Exempt (Salaried).
• Compensation: $71,737‑$107,651 annually.
• Schedule: 40 hours per week, Monday – Friday; on‑site (not eligible for remote work).
• Work environment: Normal office and classroom settings; computer terminal work, site visits, visual eye strain, repetitive hand/wrist motion for data entry.
• Attendance: Regular and predictable; may require evening or weekend hours to meet workload demands.
• Travel: Required to multiple off‑campus preschool site locations.
• Emotional demands: Work may be performed in an emotional and stressful environment.
• Salary placement: Initial salary based on education, experience, and qualifications at the College’s discretion; applicants should include all relevant education and experience in their application.