Program Lead

Job Summary

The Program Lead oversees all programmatic and staffing operations of an early care and education center, ensuring high-quality services for infants, toddlers, and/or school-age children. This role is responsible for program planning, implementation, assessment, and continuous improvement while maintaining a safe, healthy, and inclusive environment. The Program Lead serves as a classroom and program leader, providing coaching, mentoring, observation, and feedback to teaching staff to ensure consistent, high-quality programming. The role also supports center operations such as enrollment, attendance, staffing, purchasing, and community engagement. Program Leads spend approximately 33% of their time working directly in ratio, based on center needs.

Essential Job Functions

Program Quality

• Communicate program vision, mission, philosophy, and curriculum approaches to staff, families, schools, and community partners

• Ensure consistent and high-quality documentation practices, including observations, lesson plans, assessments, and reviews

• Support and mentor teaching staff in developing, implementing, and evaluating program action plans

• Collaborate with staff to create enriched, culturally responsive indoor and outdoor learning environments that meet industry standards

• Assess program quality, curriculum implementation, health and safety practices, and licensing compliance; implement continuous improvement strategies

• Lead and participate in quality rating and improvement systems for applicable programs

• Maintain knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices and relevant curriculum frameworks

• Use observations and assessment tools to support individualized child growth plans

• Support positive behavior approaches in partnership with families and staff

• Maintain classroom coverage in ratio as required

Managing, Coaching & Supporting Staff

• Manage and support a team of teaching staff based on center size and enrollment

• Provide ongoing coaching, mentoring, and performance feedback

• Conduct timely performance evaluations and professional check-ins

• Facilitate effective team meetings that promote collaboration and accountability

• Observe classroom practices and provide immediate, constructive feedback

• Provide on-site modeling and mentoring to support curriculum and instructional quality

• Support onboarding, orientation, and retention of new staff

• Develop professional growth plans and align individual and team goals with organizational priorities

• Address performance concerns through corrective action plans when needed

Leadership

• Commit to continuous professional growth in leadership, curriculum, and child development

• Participate in and lead professional development initiatives and share best practices

• Act as a change leader to support organizational improvements and initiatives

• Foster team engagement, morale, and a positive workplace culture

• Mentor staff for future leadership opportunities

• Support recruitment efforts through strong relationships with families, schools, and community partners

Family & Community Partnerships

• Build authentic, culturally responsive relationships with children, families, and community partners

• Support family engagement opportunities and advisory participation

• Serve as a representative in school and community activities

• Assess community needs and adjust programming to better serve families

• Maintain open, two-way communication with families regarding child development and program activities

• Provide parent education and connect families to community resources

• Participate in advocacy efforts supporting children and families

Compliance

• Ensure compliance with all applicable policies, procedures, licensing regulations, and funding requirements

• Maintain required staff-to-child ratios and health and safety standards

• Protect organizational assets and resources

Business Management

• Forecast staffing needs and support hiring and onboarding efforts

• Support staff scheduling, purchasing, and operational planning

• Maintain enrollment and attendance goals

• Identify opportunities to improve program performance, enrollment, and operational efficiency

• Support budget oversight and purchasing guidelines

Education & Experience

Education

• High School Diploma or GED with required early childhood education units, or

• Associate or Bachelors degree with required ECE/CD, administration, and adult supervision units

• Site Supervisor Permit preferred or willingness to obtain upon hire

• Ongoing professional development required

Experience

• 2–3 years of experience in an early childhood education or child development setting

• Minimum of 1 year of experience mentoring, coaching, or supervising adults

Other Qualifications

• Ability to complete required orientation and mandated training

• Ability to meet background clearance and health screening requirements

• Strong understanding of child development, cultural responsiveness, and inclusive practices

• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and leadership skills

• Strong initiative, motivation, and strategic thinking abilities

• Ability to coach, mentor, and manage staff effectively

• Strong organizational, budgeting, and planning skills

• Commitment to high-quality program implementation and continuous improvement

• Bilingual or multilingual skills preferred