Early Head Start Director

We Love What Makes You Unique

Your perspective fuels our mission-driven work at United Way of Greater New Haven. We are committed to building a team that is inclusive across race, gender, age, religion, identity, and lived experience. As an organization, we are committed to addressing systemic racism and injustice in our community, our partnerships, and our practices. 

Who We Are Looking For

Are you committed to supporting infants and toddlers, their families, and the programs that serve them? Do you have deep knowledge of Early Head Start and/or Head Start requirements, and want to help community partners successfully incorporate Early Head Start services and systems into their early care and education programs? Do you have leadership and relationship-building skills and experience with connecting programs and services so they work more effectively?  Do you have a strong track record of working with the programmatic, financial, and data-related aspects of federal programs? If so, our Early Head Director position may be perfect for you.

What You Are Great At

• You are a strong Early Head Start/Head Start (EHS/HS) professional who has led a team. You are deeply familiar with the EHS/HS regulations and performance standards. You have experience supervising and supporting other staff to implement the various components of EHS/HS, and know how to monitor and support programs to ensure program quality.
• You are a detail-oriented planner who creates and thrives within systems. You relish creating and working to improve processes and systems and have experience in developing and running initiatives and programs related to early childhood. You know how to manage the details and logistics, while at the same time seeing how things connect to create a bigger whole.
• You are a strong communicator. You can convey your message clearly in writing and orally to a variety of audiences, including board members, partner staff, and parents.
• You’re a team player. The Early Head Director will report to the Vice President of Education and will work closely with other members of the Community Impact Team as well as external partners. While you are confident in your abilities and knowledge, you approach your work from a place of humility.

What You Will Do

• Ensure that Head Start Performance Standards are well‐known and supported and implemented across the program partners.
• Support and monitor EHS partners to ensure compliance with all Head Start and Early Head Start mandates, applicable laws, and regulations and assure that standards are being fully met.
• Conduct on-site visits to programs and plan and facilitate regular meetings with partners.
• Review documentation and data, including working within the program’s online database work closely with the VP of Education to staff the UWGNH EHS Board Committee.
• Supervise EHS staff and consultants.
• Manage all aspects of the EHS Policy Council, and Meet with the finance staff on a regular basis to review and revise the budget as necessary in addition to monitoring the budget as it relates to actual spending of Early Head Start funds.
• Work with local partners to expand services and supports available to EHS families
• Lead an annual self-assessment process for the program and develop annual plans for improvement; ensure that a community needs assessment is conducted as required.
• Recommend and implement changes as needed in program design, administration procedures, etc. as they affect program performance.
• Prepare and submit for approval necessary programmatic reports, forms, etc. as required by Federal, state, and local regulations.
• Establish and maintain partnerships with funding sources, other state and local agencies, organizations, groups, etc. as they relate to programmatic activities.
• Plan and coordinate shared governance training for Policy Council and Board of Directors as required.
• Plan, coordinate, develop, and implement annual refunding application.

What You Need

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in early childhood development or other relevant field.
• Three to five years’ experience as a Head Start/Early Head Start Director of a small program, or significant senior management experience within a large Head Start/Early Head Start program.
• Substantive knowledge about the early childhood landscape in Connecticut and Early Head Start/Head Start.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• A successful track record in setting priorities, and keen analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills which support and enable sound decision making.
• Excellent relationship building skills with an ability to prioritize, negotiate, and work with a variety of internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience working with government grants a plus.
• Experience in grant writing and managing budgets.
• Proficient with MS Office365 and demonstrated comfort in learning new software/ online tools as needed.
• Ability to work with diverse staff and volunteers.
• Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and dedication to the mission of UWGNH. 
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation required.

About United Way

United Way of Greater New Haven brings people and organizations together to create solutions to Greater New Haven’s most pressing challenges in the areas of Education, Health, and Financial Stability grounded in racial and social justice. We tackle issues that cannot be solved by any one group working alone. We operate according to these organizational values.

In accordance with organizational policies, this position requires a criminal background check as a condition of employment.

United Way staff are currently working hybrid, with at least two days per week in our office in New Haven.  This is a full-time position; the salary range for this position is $85,000 - $90,000.

United Way is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Don’t check off every box in the requirements listed above? Please apply anyway! Studies have shown that marginalized communities - such as women, LGBTQ+ and people of color - are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. United Way of Greater New Haven is dedicated to building an inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible workplace that fosters a sense of belonging – so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to still consider submitting an application. You may be just the right candidate for this role or another one of our openings!

To Apply: Careers | United Way of Greater New Haven (uwgnh.org)

The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven is seeking a qualified candidate for the position of Project Director, Connecticut Consortium for BIPOC Technologists (CCBT).

The application deadline is January 21, 2024.

For more information and to apply, click here.

Position Summary:  The New Haven Early Childhood Council (Council) is a citywide group of community members committed to ensuring that all New Haven children from birth to age eight have the opportunities, supports, and experiences they need to reach their full potential.  The Council includes parents, educators, government officials, health and social service agencies and other representatives from the community invested in the well-being of young children. 

The Council seeks a passionate and entrepreneurial Director to lead the Council’s work to expand access to and the quality of early care and education in New Haven.  The ideal candidate will have knowledge of the early care and education landscape in Connecticut and understand and embrace systems change work. The Director should have experience working on complex community change efforts, embrace work rooted in partnerships, and be a consummate communicator comfortable with varied audiences. The Director will drive the Council’s internal and external functions, including strategy development and implementation, communications, community engagement, fund development, and data collection and analysis. 

This is a 15-month grant-funded position, with the possibility of renewal dependent on funding.  The position will be housed at United Way of Greater New Haven. 

The Director will report to the Council Co-Chairs and Executive Committee. 

This position can be 30-40 hours/week and is benefit eligible. The salary range for this position is $100,000 - $110,000 for full-time, depending on experience.

Responsibilities include:

Strategy Development and Implementation

• Provide leadership and support to the Council in its identification of strategic priorities and avenues for implementation.
• Research and promote best practices related to early care and education through advocacy, partnerships, and influence.
• Develop and implement the Council’s advocacy priorities and coordinate supporting activities of partners.
• Create an annual scope and sequence of Council agendas that align with the mission and strategic goals of the Council.
• Collaborate with the School Readiness Liaison and School Readiness fiduciary to ensure program viability and success.

Capacity-building

• Organize and sustain an inclusive, collaborative network of constituents focused on systemic efforts to improve outcomes for young children.
• Build capacity of Council leadership by recruiting and orienting new Council members and helping to bring newer members along in leadership roles.
• Support the Council by attending Council and committee meetings, working with Chairs to continually build trust and pay attention to group dynamics to ensure work is progressing.
• Coordinate all Council meetings and communications and ensure adherence to public meeting requirements for noticing and recording meetings.
• Supervise additional Council staff/interns/consultants.

Communications and Community Engagement

• Conduct marketing and outreach to engage constituents in the Council’s work.
• Develop content for the Council website and social media to ensure beneficiaries are engaged.
• Represent the Council at statewide meetings and forums.
• Manage relationships with partners.

Financial Management & Fund Development

• Create an annual Council budget under the direction of the Council and maintain, manage, and report budget income and expenses related to the Council monthly.
• Identify potential funding sources to support the Council’s goals and priorities and work to secure those funds.

Data Collection and Analysis

• Work with the Council and its committees to develop outcome measures and collect, analyze and report data to determine progress.

Qualifications:

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree preferred or an equivalent combination of education and work experience
• Minimum 5 years work-related experience in leadership roles
• Strong interpersonal skills
• In-depth knowledge of early childhood development and education
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively
• Demonstrated experience working in urban areas and working with government agencies and officials
• Strong background in data collection and utilization
• Proficient technology skills
• Proven leadership and management skills
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to multitask
• Experience in fundraising, grant writing, and fiscal management
• Ability to work flexible hours
• Spanish language fluency helpful
• Proficient with MS Office365 and demonstrated comfort in learning new software/ online tools as needed.
• Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and dedication to the mission of the Council. 
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation required.

About United Way

United Way of Greater New Haven brings people and organizations together to create solutions to Greater New Haven’s most pressing challenges in the areas of Education, Health, and Financial Stability grounded in racial and social justice. We tackle issues that cannot be solved by any one group working alone. We operate according to these organizational values.

In accordance with organizational policies, this position requires a criminal background check as a condition of employment. 

United Way staff are currently working hybrid, with at least two days per week in our office in New Haven. 

United Way is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Don’t check off every box in the requirements listed above? Please apply anyway! Studies have shown that marginalized communities - such as women, LGBTQ+ and people of color - are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. United Way of Greater New Haven is dedicated to building an inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible workplace that fosters a sense of belonging – so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to still consider submitting an application. You may be just the right candidate for this role or another one of our openings!

GNHCC seeks Artistic Director

Good development directors are precious.

It seems there is a great demand for good development directors. Turnover is a tremendous problem. In their study, Underdeveloped, CompassPointand the Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund found “high levels of turnover and lengthy vacancies in development director positions throughout the sector”.  I know in my community it seems like a game of musical chairs as the same pool of candidates move from job to job...

Source: https://mcahalane.com/do-you-want-to-know-why-you-cant-find-a-great-development-director/

All Our Kin seeks a dynamic social entrepreneur to maximize the effectiveness and impact of its New Haven operations. This role requires exceptional leadership, management and critical thinking. Reporting directly to the leadership team, the Director of All Our Kin-New Haven leads a high-performing staff in transforming the quality and sustainability of early childhood education in New Haven and the region.

Key responsibilities include:

Management and supervision of New Haven staff and programs

1. Inspire staff and galvanize them to work towards a common vision and goals
2. Create and support a positive culture committed to All Our Kin's mission and values
3. Manage all New Haven programs, including Family Child Care Tool Kit Licensing Program, Family Child Care Network, and Early Head Start
4. Partner with professional development staff to plan and implement trainings
5. Coach and mentor staff to meet performance goals and continuously improve
6. Set benchmarks for performance
7. Hold staff accountable for program outcomes
8. Ensure effective team communication
9. Report to All Our Kin's leadership team and partner with them to ensure the highest possible level of excellence 

Mentorship and educational leadership

1. Provide ongoing mentorship and support to All Our Kin's highly skilled team
2. Observe team members in the field; reflect with them on their practice
3. Work with team members to set clearly defined goals for provider growth and strategize with them about how to meet those goals
4. Support all staff in increasing their knowledge of child development and adult learning

Local impact and strategic growth                   

1. Use data to engage with the leadership team, staff and clients on ways to refine and improve programs and services
2. Assess family child care program quality, using research-based observational tools; assess changes in provider skills, knowledge and attitudes; use other metrics as necessary to evaluate impact and effectiveness
3. Engage community stakeholders in order to design programs and services that are responsive to emerging needs
4. In partnership with the leadership team, shape the vision for All Our Kin-New Haven’s strategic growth
5. Partner with change agents in the community to leverage All Our Kin’s impact and transform the quality of education in the city and the region

Candidate Requirements:

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required, advanced degree preferred
• Eight-plus years’ experience, including at least three years of supervisory experience
• Experience in the nonprofit and educational sectors preferred

Skills, Traits and Beliefs

Candidates must:

• Have experience working in urban communities. 
• Value diversity and demonstrate cultural competency.
• Be continuously curious, self-critiquing, self-correcting, and open to new ideas.
• Be committed to the goal of making high-quality early care and education available to all children.
• Value an asset-based approach to change and understand that the process is lengthy and requires sensitivity, flexibility, respect, and commitment.
• Be a creative problem solver.
• Have excellent interpersonal skills.
• Have strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with a demonstrated ability to work independently.
• Have the ability to clearly define strategic issues and make tough decisions.
• Be able and willing to seek innovative solutions to organizational and programmatic challenges.

Compensation and Benefits

Commensurate with experience.

About All Our Kin

All Our Kin, Inc., is a nationally-recognized, Connecticut-based nonprofit organization that trains, supports, and sustains community child care providers in order to ensure that children and families have the foundation they need to succeed in school and in life. We invest in children’s first teachers, offering a teaching and learning model that supports child care providers at every stage of their development, from parents and caregivers to professional educators and businesspeople. Through our programs, child care professionals succeed as business owners; working parents find stable, high-quality care for their children; and our youngest and most vulnerable children receive the early learning experiences that prepare them to succeed in school and in life.

All Our Kin is an equal opportunity employer and recognizes that diversity and opportunity are fundamental to children’s lives and to our work. 

To Apply: Send resume and cover letter by mail: All Our Kin, P.O. Box 8477, New Haven, CT 06530-0477, by fax: 203-772-2386, or by e-mail: christina@allourkin.org.

All Our Kin seeks a Full-Time Quality Program Director to begin immediately after hire.  The Quality Program Director will design and coordinate All Our Kin’s Quality Showcase Program, which aims to support quality enhancements in family child care programs.  The Quality Showcase Program will significantly enhance the quality of family child care in New Haven by providing training, technical support, quality enhancement funds, and tangible incentives for improvement.  The Quality Showcase Program will also provide parents with easily understandable and accessible information about the quality and availability of family child care as well as give family child care providers opportunities to highlight their programs for parents and the New Haven community.

We are searching for an enthusiastic team player who is looking to make an impact and are excited about being a part of an effective, growing and dynamic non-profit organization.  We offer competitive salary and benefits and a flexible schedule.  The Quality Program Director will primarily work from our New Haven location.

About All Our Kin: All Our Kin first opened its doors in a New Haven housing project in 1999 with two staff members, six mothers, six children, and one core belief: all children deserve access to high-quality early learning opportunities. As Connecticut explores ways to sustain high-quality child care in a time of great economic hardship, communities and agencies throughout the state seek to learn from and build on All Our Kin’s best practices. In response to this demand, All Our Kin expanded beyond New Haven, and is currently serving Bridgeport, Norwalk and Stamford as well. Today, we serve over 300 family child care providers; these parents and educators in turn serve over 1,500 children in our community. To learn more about our work, please visit www.allourkin.org.

Responsibilities of the Quality Program Director include but are not limited to:

• Coordinating the pilot of Quality Showcase Program in New Haven including
• Maintaining relationships with key external partners, including the National Association of Family Child Care and CT Office of Early Childhood.
• Building partnerships with local agencies, employers, businesses and non-profits. 
• Working with All Our Kin senior leaders to refine & strengthen the Quality Showcase Program
• Collaborating with All Our Kin’s staff, including the Network Directors.
• Recruiting family child care providers to participate in the program
• Developing workshops & coordinating study groups for providers in the Quality Showcase Program
• Working closely with family child care providers to ensure they progress through the different stages of the Quality Showcase Program
• Conducting observations of family child care programs to assess quality
• Ensuring incentives are available to providers in the program, including child care grants and bi-annual celebration dinners.
• Developing online and paper system for sharing information on family child care providers in the program with families & the New Haven community.
• Linking providers to community resources and supports.

The ideal candidate:

• Believes in the All Our Kin mission and has a deep commitment to the goal of making high-quality early care and education available to all children.
• Is extremely organized, has a keen eye for details and is able to multi-task in a fast-paced environment.
• Is willing to learn and creatively problem-solve.
• Is proactive & takes initiative to achieve goals.
• Enjoys collaborating and working as part of a team.
• Possesses excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Values diversity and demonstrates cultural and linguistic competency.
• Has experience working in education and/or human capital development
• Spanish speakers encouraged to apply.
• Bachelor's Degree required; advanced degree preferred. 

Benefits of Working at All Our Kin

All Our Kin’s small size, focus on innovation, and collaborative model of program development make it possible for staff members to get a close look at the workings of a small, high-impact nonprofit organization at the cusp of two critical issues: job creation and child care. The organization’s commitment to mentorship and professional development guarantee that the Quality Program Director will receive individual time and attention, and will serve as an integral member of our highly skilled and mission-driven team.

All Our Kin is an equal opportunity employer and recognizes that diversity and opportunity are fundamental to children’s lives and to our work. 

To Apply: Send resume and cover letter by mail: All Our Kin, P.O. Box 8477, New Haven, CT 06530-0477, by fax: 203-772-2386, or by e-mail: christina@allourkin.org. 

SEND RESUMES ONLY (mail/fax or e-mail:harriet.rago@jaconnecticut.com)

835 Main Street Bridgeport, CT 06604

Fax: (203) 696-2754