Head Start Assistant Director

Position Summary/Objective

Must be dedicated to the Mission and Vision of UETHDA and Purpose of the Head Start Program. Must consistently make decisions aligned with the best interests of UETHDA and the Head Start Program.

Capable of supporting the Head Start Director in overseeing program operations, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, and implementing high-quality early childhood education and family services. The Assistant Director provides direct supervision to program managers and other designated staff, ensuring effective implementation of program goals and consistent adherence to Head Start Program Performance Standards, state licensing rules, and Agency policies and procedures. In the absence of the Head Start Director, the Assistant Director will assume leadership of the program and act as the primary decision-maker to maintain operations and ensure continuity of services.

Demonstrated ability to mentor and develop staff, including identifying skill gaps and providing targeted training. Must be able to identify areas where staff are deficient and build trainings to amend the identified deficiencies. Must be compassionate for assisting staff with struggles and provide positive solutions to identified problems.

Strong public speaking skills and ability to represent UETHDA and the Head Start Program in presentations to Policy Council, Board of Directors, agency leadership, and external stakeholders.

Capable of incorporating technology into daily activities to be efficient at performing tasks, capturing, and measuring data, making decisions, and communicating effectively.

This position plays a key role in ensuring the success of the Head Start program by providing strong leadership, maintaining compliance, and fostering a high-quality learning environment for children and families.

Our Culture

Since 1964, UETHDA has been all about Helping People. Changing Lives. We're passionate about making a difference in our community through education, support, and collaboration. If you believe in empowering others and fostering growth, you’ll feel right at home here!

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist the Director in managing the overall operations of the Head Start program, including education, health, nutrition, family services, and disability services.
• Ensure compliance with Head Start Performance Standards, state childcare licensing regulations, and other applicable laws.
• Supervise and support program staff, including managers and coordinators, to maintain high-quality service delivery.
• Ability to solve complex problems or issues with minimum support.
• Assist in developing and monitoring budgets, grant applications, and financial reports.
• Coordinate staff professional development and training to enhance program effectiveness.
• Support ongoing program evaluation and continuous quality improvement efforts.
• Foster relationships with community partners, school districts, and social service agencies to enhance services for children and families.
• Assist with enrollment, recruitment, selection, eligibility, and attendance (ERSEA) processes to ensure full enrollment.
• Respond to and address health and safety incidents, ensuring compliance with policies and procedures.
• Lead and coordinate crisis management responses, including immediate corrective actions following incidents involving staff, children, or facilities.
• Conduct or oversee investigations into health, safety, or compliance incidents in collaboration with relevant agency departments and external authorities as needed.
• Assist in developing and monitoring corrective action and quality improvement plans to address findings from internal audits, licensing inspections, or federal reviews.
• Maintain documentation and tracking systems to ensure timely resolution of issues and follow-up on all corrective measures.
• Support a culture of accountability and continuous improvement through transparent communication, data-informed decisions, and proactive compliance oversight.
• Participate in policy council and governing board meetings as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Head Start Director.

Competencies

• Teamwork Orientation
• Communication Proficiency
• Problem Solving/Analysis
• Client Focus
• Decision Making
• Technical Capacity
• Leading/Developing Others

Work Environment/Physical Demands

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, operate a motor vehicle, and visit various sites. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas is required. Must be able to occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve files. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects occasionally weighing up to 50 pounds.

Benefits Package

Vacation:

• 1 day of Vacation accrued per month worked

Holidays:

• 14 Paid Holidays

Healthcare/Personal Benefits:

• 1 Day of Healthcare/Personal accrued per month worked

Additional Benefits:

• Healthcare through the State of Tennessee. UETHDA pays 100% of the monthly premium for the Employee Only (estimated cost paid by UETHDA for the employee is over $600 per month ($7,200 annually). Additional insurance coverage is available but cost difference will be paid by the employee.
• Dental, Vision, Short-Term, Long-Term Disability and Voluntary Life Insurance options are offered at 100% cost to the employee.
• Group Term Life Insurance for employee paid by UETHDA at 100% for coverage of 1.5 time the yearly wages
• Retirement Plan-Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System (TCRS). Eligible employees are required to contribute 5% of yearly wages (pre-tax basis to the defined TCRS plan). UETHDA contributes an amortized amount as determined by TCRS. Employees are vested upon 5 years of eligible service.
• Additional 401(K) and 457 Savings Plan also available without employer match.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

This is an exempt position. Typically, this position will work 37.5 hours per week, but additional hours may be required. Working days are generally Monday through Friday, but some weekend days may be necessary as determined by workflows

Travel

Travel is primarily locally during the business day, although some out of the area travel and overnight is expected.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Social Work, Business Administration, or a related field (Master’s preferred).
• Minimum of five years of experience in early childhood education, human services, or program administration, with at least two years in a leadership role preferred.
• Knowledge of Head Start Performance Standards, early childhood education best practices, and family engagement strategies.
• Strong leadership, supervisory, and team-building skills.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, interpersonal, and organizational abilities.
• Proficient written and verbal communication.
• Proficiency in budget management and grant writing preferred.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Ability to travel as needed and work flexible hours.

EOE Statement

UETHDA hires high quality staff from a variety of fields and education levels who have a passion for changing the lives of others. UETHDA is an equal opportunity employer (EOE).

Salary is $2,703.60 semi-monthly.