The Director of Operations for Head Start - CAPRW
Location: St. Paul, MN
Job Type: Full-Time
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Full Job Description: The Director of Operations for Head Start Under the direction of the Senior Director, Head Start & Early Head Start, the Director of Operations for Head Start provides oversight and management of all aspects of the Head Start and Early Head Start program, ensuring fidelity to the requirements of the Head Start Program Performance Standards and other applicable state and federal regulations. This includes working closely with the Senior Director and the Head Start Assistant Directors to provide leadership and a vision of excellence to aspire to and one that reflects best practices for the Head Start program. The Director of Operations for Head Start will work closely with the Senior Director as a full partner in providing leadership towards developing and achieving short- and long-term program goals, translating strategy into operational plans, strengthening infrastructure and supporting continuous quality improvement of the program, while maintaining compliance, fiscal responsibility, and organizational health. This is a rare opportunity with one of Minnesota’s largest and most respected Head Start programs. The Director of Operations for Head Start will inherit a highly capable team, a culture of shared leadership, and a program that is both grounded in Head Start Performance Standards and open to thoughtful innovation. Key Responsibilities: Ensure compliance with the Head Start Program Performance Standards, Minnesota Rule 3 state licensing requirements, and other applicable state and federal regulations. In conjunction with the Senior Director, provide strategic oversight and leadership of the Head Start & Early Head Start program. Partner with the Senior Director to define, prioritize, and drive program-wide goals and initiatives related to continuous quality improvement acting as a thought partner and sounding board. Manage confidential and sensitive information with discretion and judgment. Recruit, supervise, coach, and evaluate direct reports. Responsible for the development of esprit de corps, camaraderie, and enhanced leadership skills of direct reports. Assist the Senior Director with the development of program budgets and grant applications. Occasionally represent the Senior Director with external partners, funders, and other stakeholders. Proactively research and seek out information related to research-based best practices in the early childhood education field and ensure the program’s policies and procedures include current best practices and innovative strategies. Motivate content area teams to implement high quality Head Start services that reflect best practice by providing guidance and direction, including working in collaboration with Head Start Assistant Directors to set and monitor performance expectations. Act as an integrator of content areas. Create systems and effective processes to improve communication and coordination across the various service areas to ensure Head Start Program Performance Standards and other applicable state and local regulations are met and so that services are streamlined across the program. Support Assistant Directors and managers in developing and revising policies and procedures. Ensure policies and procedures are comprehensive, clear, uniform, and integrate best practices that lead to high quality program service delivery, programmatic efficiencies and continuous quality improvement. Ensure appropriate training is provided so that policies and procedures across departments are uniformly implemented and integrated as required throughout the program. Assist in the development and implementation of effective, integrated management systems and organizational structures, which support the administration of high-quality Head Start services. Handle multiple responsibilities simultaneously mixing long-term projects with the urgency of immediate demands. Represent the program on agency-wide committees and community committees and initiatives, as assigned by the Senior Director. The Ideal Candidate The ideal Director of Operations for Head Start is an experienced early childhood leader who brings deep knowledge of the operational realities of multi-site early childhood programs. They will combine strategic thinking with strong operational execution, including the ability to translate program goals into clear systems, policies, and practices that ensure compliance, quality, and continuous improvement. They are a collaborative, mission-driven leader with a proven ability to lead leaders and to balance big-picture priorities with day-to-day operational demands. The Director of Operations for Head Start will bring: Leadership & Approach A relational, emotionally intelligent leadership style that builds trust quickly A strong listener who leads with humility, presence, and clarity Ability to balance collaboration with clear direction and accountability Program & Operational Leadership Experience leading complex, multi-site programs Ability to manage across multiple functional areas (education, health, family services, operations) Strong organizational skills and ability to bring structure and clarity in complex environments Head Start / Early Childhood Expertise Deep experience in Head Start and/or early childhood education Strong understanding of compliance, performance standards, and program delivery Ability to navigate evolving policies, funding dynamics, and workforce challenges Team & Culture Leadership Experience leading leaders and supporting the development of an experienced team Ability to build alignment across diverse teams and functions Commitment to equity, inclusion, and culturally responsive practices Communication & Influence Clear, consistent communicator across all levels of the organization Ability to articulate the “why” behind decisions and direction Builds trust with staff, families, and internal/external stakeholders Experience Head Start experience strongly preferred Experience in complex, community-based or nonprofit environments Union experience helpful
Application email/URL: caprw@nelsonbye.com
Salary (optional): The target salary for the Director of Operations for Head Start role is $90,000 - $120,000. CAPRW has a variety of benefits available to employees, including health, vision, and dental insurance, 403b retirement match, generous paid time off and paid holidays, an employee recognition and assistance program, and more.
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COMPANY DETAILS
Company name: Community Action Partnership of Ramsey and Washington Counties (CAPRW) is a private, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that offers a variety of services and programs to people living in poverty in Ramsey and Washington counties. CAPRW is committed to providing programs that address the root causes of poverty and enhance the self-sufficiency of low-income people with dignity. CAPRW delivers Head Start and Early Head Start, Financial Opportunities, and Energy Assistance and Energy Conservation services.
Website (optional): https://www.caprw.org/
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