Head Start Manager

Location: Kansas City Metro Area
Organization: Futures First
Job Type: Full-time

Compensation: The role described below offers a base salary of $55,000 - $65,000 per year. Your offer will be determined based on how your qualifications align with the requirements of the position and internal equity. In addition to the stated salary, Futures First’s Total Rewards package includes a comprehensive benefits plan.

Benefits Offered:

• Medical Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Health Savings Accounts (HSA)
• Vision & Dental Insurance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Life Insurance
• 403(b) Retirement Plan with matching up to 2%
• Yearly 5% employer retirement contribution
• Personal Time Off (PTO)
• Rolling Paid Holidays (Instead of a fixed holiday schedule, employees may observe holidays that reflect their personal, cultural, or religious beliefs.)
• Flexible Work Schedules (Hybrid Model)

Lead With Purpose at One of the Region’s Premier Nonprofits

Are you passionate about early childhood education, family engagement, and creating high-quality programs that support children and families? Futures First is seeking a Head Start Manager to support the effective operation and oversight of Early Head Start, Head Start, and Child Care Partnership programs. This role provides leadership for Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment, and Attendance (ERSEA), quality assurance, program data, compliance, and continuous quality improvement while supporting staff and community partners.

For over 145 years, Futures First has strengthened families, supported early education, and promoted economic stability across the Kansas City metro. As we continue to grow and evolve, this role plays a critical part in ensuring that Head Start and Early Head Start programs operate effectively, meet regulatory requirements, and provide high-quality services to children and families in our community.

Futures First’s Theory of Change

At Futures First, we believe that every child deserves a strong foundation for success. Our Theory of Change focuses on early childhood education, economic stability, and family well-being to create lasting community impact.

.As the Head Start Manager, you will play a key role in supporting this work by strengthening program operations, supporting staff and providers, using data to drive improvement, and ensuring programs meet Head Start, state, grant, and organizational requirements.

The Opportunity

Futures First is seeking a Head Start Manager who is passionate about early childhood education and committed to supporting high-quality programs for children and families. This position supports the Director of Head Start and Early Childhood Partnerships in the effective operation and oversight of Early Head Start, Head Start, and Child Care Partnership programs.

The Head Start Manager provides leadership for ERSEA and quality assurance functions while monitoring program compliance and supporting continuous quality improvement. The position works closely with staff, child care partners, families, community organizations, and organizational leadership to identify opportunities for improvement and ensure program goals are achieved.

The ideal candidate is a collaborative and organized leader who can use data to inform decisions, build strong relationships, support staff development, and navigate complex regulatory requirements. This position offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the quality and effectiveness of early childhood programs serving children and families in our community.

Team Structure

In this role, you will work closely with the Director of Head Start and Early Childhood Partnerships, Head Start staff, ERSEA and Quality Assurance teams, Child Care Partnership providers, families, community partners, and Futures First staff across the organization.

You will serve as a key program leader, providing supervision, coaching, technical assistance, and operational support while helping ensure program requirements are met and continuous improvement efforts are sustained.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide program leadership and monitor compliance with Head Start Program Performance Standards, state licensing requirements, grant requirements, and Futures First policies and procedures. Identify compliance concerns, support corrective actions, and assist with audits, monitoring reviews, and evaluations.
• Oversee Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment, and Attendance (ERSEA) activities to support program enrollment and participation. Monitor enrollment and attendance data, ensure accurate records and documentation, and support strategies to address barriers to enrollment and attendance.
• Lead quality assurance activities for Child Care Partnership programs by monitoring site visits, observations, compliance reviews, and corrective actions. Provide technical assistance and support to partner providers to strengthen program quality and compliance.
• Use program data to support planning and continuous improvement by collecting, reviewing, and analyzing enrollment, attendance, quality, and other program data. Support required reports and activities such as the Community Assessment, Self-Assessment, Program Goals, School Readiness Goals, PIR, and continuous quality improvement initiatives.
• Supervise, coach, and develop assigned staff including ERSEA staff, Quality Assurance Coordinators, and other assigned personnel. Provide feedback, training, professional development, and performance support while contributing to recruitment, onboarding, and retention efforts.
• Build relationships with families, community partners, and stakeholders by supporting family engagement, community outreach, and connections to resources and services. Support Policy Council and shared governance activities and collaborate with internal and external partners to advance program goals.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Family Services, Social Work, Public Administration, Human Services, or a related field.
• Minimum of three years of Head Start experience.
• Experience using a Head Start data management system.
• Experience supervising staff or coordinating program functions.
• Experience working with children, families, and diverse communities preferred.
• Other combinations of education and experience may be considered.
• Master’s degree in a related field preferred.
• Five or more years of Head Start experience preferred.
• Supervisory or management experience in Head Start or early childhood programs preferred.
• Experience with Child Care Partnership programs and quality assurance preferred.
• Bilingual English/Spanish proficiency preferred.

Required Skills & Abilities

• Ability to supervise, coach, develop, and provide feedback to staff.
• Strong leadership, decision-making, delegation, and problem-solving skills.
• Knowledge of Head Start requirements, ERSEA, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance.
• Ability to monitor compliance, identify concerns, and support corrective action.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and time-management skills.
• Ability to use data to support program decisions and continuous improvement.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to work effectively with staff, families, providers, community partners, and other stakeholders.
• Proficiency with Google Workspace and database systems.
• Experience with ChildPlus or another Head Start data management system preferred.
• Ability to travel to Futures First facilities, Head Start centers, Child Care Partnership sites, and community locations.
• Ability to work effectively in office, classroom, child care, and community environments.

Why Join Futures First?

At Futures First, you will be part of a highly respected organization committed to strengthening children, families, and communities across the Kansas City metro area. You will join a collaborative team that values relationships, innovation, and continuous improvement while making a meaningful impact on the quality of early childhood programs and services provided to children and families.

Equal Employment Opportunity & Accommodations

Futures First is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other protected status.

If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, please contact Nicole Benoit at [email protected] to discuss your needs.

Apply today and be a part of something extraordinary!