Position Purpose
Executive Director is responsible for Agency development and to oversee the financial, organizational, administrative and programmatic details of Child Inc. The Executive Director ensures Child Inc. meets obligations to funding sources and complies with Head Start Performance Standards and the 2007 Head Start Act, Administration of Children and Families. The Executive Director serves as the connecting link between the Head Start/Early Head Start governing bodies, staff, parents and community agencies. Foster an adaptive and innovative leadership style to navigate changes in the nonprofit landscape, ensuring Child Inc.'s ongoing growth a Supports staff retention by creating sustainability."
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Staff Management
• Helps ensure that the staffing structure supports the program’s mission and goals by maintaining an adequate number of qualified staff who meets position requirements.
• Builds a staff that advances the program’s mission by hiring and promoting qualified staff who support the program’s philosophy and goals and who culturally and linguistically represent the community and program and by training all staff on the program’s history, philosophy, and requirements.
• Advance staff performance by meeting regularly with individual staff to provide performance feedback based on expectations contained in job descriptions, program plans, and policies and procedures.
• Promotes staff development by using reflective supervision and the performance appraisal system to assess staff skills and interests, establish professional development goals and plans, and monitor progress.
• Provide program expectations to executive leadership and hold them accountable
• Supports staff retention by creating an atmosphere that fosters equity and provides opportunities for professional growth; works closely with the Fiscal and Human Resource Department of retirement issues and options.
• Champion a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion within Child Inc. by promoting equitable practices, policies, and opportunities that reflect the diverse communities we serve.
Resource Management
• Exercises prudent stewardship of program resources by making decisions based on program financial reports and applicable federal, state, and program financial requirements (e.g., allowable costs, non-federal share, cost-sharing).
• Advocates for resources to improve program quality by offering suggestions and providing information about needed resources during the program’s planning and budget development process.
• Assists in expanding the program’s funding base by staying informed of state, local, and foundation funding opportunities, participating in the development of funding applications, and tapping new sources of non-federal share; research and coordinate with potential sponsors having the ability and willingness to supplement Agency funding; assure sponsors are appropriate fit with Head Start and Child Inc. policies and values.
• Lead efforts to diversify the organization’s funding sources, with a focus on sustainable financial practices that ensure long-term financial health. Improves efficiency and effectiveness by using Leverage modern technology and data analytics to inform program decisions, enhance operational efficiency, and optimize service delivery.
• Enhances and/or expands services through partnership and/or sub-contracts (e.g., transportation, food service, childcare) by using data to identify service gaps, seeking viable partners/vendors, and participating in the development of detailed written agreements or work scopes; assures all contracts and grants are fulfilled in a timely manner.
• Ensures a safe, attractive, well-equipped program environment by contributing to the development of sound budgets, purchasing high-quality materials and equipment, and establishing and/or implementing systems to monitor and maintain/replace equipment and facilities.
Program Planning and Implementation
• Works collaboratively (directly and through other program leaders) with committees, the policy group, and the governing body by sharing data, problem-solving, acting on their recommendations, and/or implementing policies and plans generated by them; works with Board of Directors to develop strategies and long-range plans for the Agency’s growth and development; engages with Region VI Program Specialist/Staff as requested and/or needed.
• Supports the governing body, policy group, and advisory committee members in making informed decisions about program plans (e.g., strategic, improvement, and service areas) and policies by training members on the program’s philosophy and requirements and by providing them with accurate and timely information; serves as a professional resource to the Board of Directors and Parent Policy Council.
• Encourages families’ involvement in program decision making by ensuring that families are informed about decision-making opportunities (e.g., policy group, service area committees) and by supporting their involvement (e.g., transportation, training, convenient meeting times).
• Develops meaningful and realistic program plans by analyzing results from the previous year’s program improvement efforts and multiple data sources (e.g., community assessment, program self-assessment, Program Information Reports, performance appraisals, federal and state monitoring reports, child outcomes) to identify program improvement needs.
• Secures staff buy-in to program and service area goals by eliciting their input and discussing the goals’ content and rationale; conducts program and administrative meetings to discuss program progress, determine needs and oversee the development of action plans, timelines and strategies for accomplishing program objectives.
• Executes plans and policies by developing procedures, protocol and schedules that ensure their full implementation.
• Create job readiness and workforce development training programs to help improve self-sufficiency and sustainability in the family.
Observation, Analysis, Planning, and Documentation
• Meets federal, state, and program documentation requirements by ensuring that the program maintains accurate, objective, complete, timely, and well-organized child, family, financial, and program records.
• Designs and leads an assessment of community needs by collaborating with other community groups to examine census data and community reports and plans (e.g., health, mental health, housing, education), agree on priorities, and make decisions.
• Designs, leads, and/or supports an annual self-assessment by engaging staff, specialists, families, and policy group, governing body, and community members in examining program operations.
• Determines child, family, staff, and/or program needs and accomplishments by establishing protocols and schedules for gathering and analyzing initial and ongoing assessment data.
• Monitors staff performance by creating and/or implementing systems for observing practice, reviewing records, gathering feedback from stakeholders, and documenting results; completes Child Inc. Performance Evaluations in accordance with Policy and Procedures handbook.
• Promotes effective use of program data by developing and/or implementing a process for creating reports and sharing them with other program decision makers.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of and ensure compliance with the latest nonprofit regulations, including Head Start Performance Standards and relevant state and federal laws.
• Monitors services provided by external consultants, organizations, and/or vendors by detailing expectations for services and deliverables in the sub-contracting agreement, establishing a review schedule, and designating staff to review and report on the services provided.
Communication
• Builds an understanding of the program by communicating its philosophy, mission, and services to staff, families, and the community and by supporting staff to do the same.
• Demonstrates respect for others by sharing information objectively and non-judgmentally and by adjusting verbal and written communication strategies for different audiences.
• Facilitates staff’s, families’, and partners’ acceptance of decisions and advice from funders, the governing body, policy group, committees, and management by positively presenting decisions, explaining the rationale, and openly addressing questions and concerns.
• Ensures that all staff follow protocols (e.g., chain of command, confidentiality) when communicating with others in the program, families, governing body, policy group, committees, and those in other community programs.
• Employs a culturally competent and flexible approach when working with those from various cultures by acknowledging, accepting, and accommodating differences (e.g., providing information in an understandable format and/or language for those who have limited/no reading skills or who are English language learners.
• Develop innovative community engagement strategies, utilizing digital platforms and modern advocacy techniques to strengthen Child Inc.'s relationships with stakeholders and increase community impact
• Promotes a collaborative, productive working environment by following established communication protocol, clearly articulating expectations, outcomes, and timelines, and using conflict resolution and negotiation skills when needed; develops and nurtures agency coordination, collaboration, and support with the community.
• Ensures that own communication is easily understood by speaking and writing clearly and using standard grammar and spelling.
• Facilitates communication with others by using available technologies (e.g., fax, voicemail, e-mail, file sharing) and by supporting staff to do the same.
Professionalism/Leadership
• Provides leadership and direction for the overall administration of the Head Start/Early Head Start program’s operations, including fiscal, contracts and grants management, shared governance, program compliance, allocation of human resources, and oversight of program facilities, materials and equipment.
• Ensures program’s adherence to applicable federal, state, local, and program standards, policies, and/or procedures by keeping abreast of these requirements and by promoting staff’s understanding and implementation of them.
• Provides a culture of inquiry by exhibiting a commitment to lifelong learning, keeping abreast of new information and research, and reflecting on their relevance.
• Furthers professional growth by seeking feedback, reflecting on and assessing own practice, and taking advantage of opportunities to improve skills and knowledge.
• Advances excellence and progress in the field by advocating for high-quality child and family services at the program, community, state, and/or federal levels; provides positive leadership on behalf of the Agency at the community, State, and Federal Levels.
• Promotes a collaborative, productive working environment by sharing planning, decision making, and problem-solving responsibilities with staff, families, the policy group, and governing body.
• Establishes and maintains external professional relationships by participating as a member of community, state, and/or national professional organizations.
• Serves as a role model for families and other staff by following and exhibiting sound, daily physical and emotional practices (e.g., making healthy food choices, communicating positively, understanding and accepting cultural differences).
• Represents the community’s cultural and linguistic diversity throughout the program by ensuring that staff, committees, practices, materials, and activities reflect this diversity.
• Strengthens staff’s, the program’s, and the community’s commitment to family empowerment by establishing expectations for engaging with families, acknowledging the contributions they make, and modeling approaches for working with families as full partners.
Performs other duties as assigned by the supervisor.
Personal and Professional Development
• Assure confidentiality of all program information and family and staff confidentiality by limiting conversation about them and accessibility to their records.
• Maintain professional boundaries in relationship to staff and families.
• Any person who suspects child abuse or neglect is required to report suspicions to the appropriate agency (as defined below) within 48 hours after the abuse or neglect is first suspected.1
• Comply with Child Inc. Personnel Policies and Procedures, and with Standards of Conduct.
Staff Relationship
• Responsible to the Board of Directors and the Parent Policy Council.
• Supervises Division Directors (which includes Head Start Director, Chief Financial Officer, Facilities Director, Planning Director, Program Operations Director, Program Support Director, and Human Resources Director.
General Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
• Knowledge of Head Start philosophy and practices, early childhood education, and developmentally appropriate practices.
• Ability to work well with minimum direction or supervision.
• Must have the ability to maintain a professional demeanor under stressful and frustrating circumstances. Must have a positive attitude toward the children and families served.
• Must have the ability to work and maintain high standards of professional ethics with persons of different racial, ethnic, economic and social backgrounds.
• Must, under all circumstances, abide by Child Inc.'s Standards of Conduct for Staff, Contractors, Consultants and Volunteers.
• Ability to articulate goals and objectives of the agency to staff and program stakeholders.
Minimum Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services, Education or related field. Advanced Degree preferred.
• Minimum of five years working in a Head Start Program or related educational programs on a managerial level.
• Able to speak and write effectively.
• Significant experience in managing programs in terms of budget, staff, children and families.
• Familiar with budgetary, administrative, organizational and capacity building.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and experience working with diverse population both in the community and supervising staff.
• Must pass all criminal history background checks.
• Must have, or be willing to obtain, First Aid and CPR training.
Working Conditions:
The demands described are representative of those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
• Will spend time sitting, utilizing the computer, and standing/walking throughout the facilities.
• The ability to make fast, simple, repeated movements of the fingers, hands, and wrists.
• Ability to physically lift up to 25 pounds periodically.
• In-area and out-of-area travel.
If you're interested in applying for this incredible opportunity to make a difference in the Austin area, please apply on the Child Inc. website by submitting your resume and cover letter:
Job Listings - Child, Inc. Jobs
https://childinc.org/careers-with-child-inc/
This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Child, Inc. reserves the right to revise or change job duties as the need arises. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.
Child Inc. of Travis County is an Affirmative Action/EEO Employer