Director of Early Head Start - Remote Position

Director of Early Head Start - Remote Position

Requisition #: req16357

Salary Range: $ 70,040.00 - 87,550.00

Location: Remote within the U.S. (except in AK, HI, ID, LA, MT, NM, ND, OK, OR, UT, VT, WV, and WY)

Hours: Full-time (40 Hours/Week)

At Bethany Christian Services, we believe families provide the strongest foundation for care and connection. That's why we focus on strengthening and empowering families, always advocating for family-centered solutions to keep children safe. Our work began in 1944 with the care of a single child. Today, inspired by our faith, our aim is to demonstrate the love and compassion of Jesus in our services for children, youth, and families. Working at Bethany means joining a team of nearly 2,000 dedicated professionals with diverse skills, serving communities across the country. Together, we’re united in our mission and these shared values: we’re motivated by our faith, we support one another, we champion justice, we pursue excellence, and we’re in it for the long haul.

The Director of Early Head Start provides national oversight, subject matter expertise, and strategic partnership for Early Head Start/Head Start (EHS/HS) programs. This role works in close collaboration with Branch Directors, Program Directors, Regional VPs, and cross-functional HQ teams to ensure compliance with federal regulations, monitor program performance and fiscal trends, identify emerging risks and opportunities, support growth planning, and strengthen long term sustainability. The position does not directly manage site-level operations but provides matrixed national oversight and technical leadership, partnering with Operations leaders to promote alignment, consistency, and high-quality program service delivery across all EHS/HS programs.

This position is expected to function effectively with moderate supervision while following the guidelines given on procedures, along with agency, federal, and state regulatory requirements.

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Serve as one of Bethany’s national subject matter experts, providing guidance, technical assistance, and policy interpretation to branch leadership and HQ departments;
• Provide national-level leadership, direction, and accountability for oversight of program quality and regulatory fidelity across EHS/HS programs, partnering with Operations leaders to support consistent implementation of federal and state regulations, contractual requirements, best practices, and Bethany policies/procedures;
• Strengthen program quality and consistency across EHS/HS sites by partnering with Branch leaders, Regional VPs, Senior VPs, and PQI leaders to analyze performance, compliance, enrollment, and fiscal trends, identifying strengths, risks, and opportunities for improvement;
• Monitor and synthesize program performance data and outcomes to provide clear, high level analysis to executive leadership;
• Translate data and performance insights into actionable quality improvement recommendations and strategies for program staff, in collaboration with Operations, PQI Monitoring & Evaluation, and HQ teams;
• Provide coaching and strategic guidance to Program Directors and Branch leadership to strengthen program implementation, staff performance, and model fidelity;
• Support growth planning and long-term sustainability efforts in partnership with the Business Development Department (BDD) and organizational leadership by analyzing performance indicators, funding & staffing structures, and operational readiness;
• Collaborate with PQI and IT partners to design, refine, and maintain reporting tools and dashboards that strengthen visibility into compliance, performance, and fiscal trends across EHS/HS programs;
• Proactively monitor and interpret national Head Start regulatory updates, policy changes, and industry trends; translate requirements into clear, actionable guidance for field leadership and elevate strategic implications and risk considerations to executive leadership;
• Lead the development and updating of internal policies, procedures, and guidance to ensure alignment with federal EHS/HS requirements and Bethany standards;
• In partnership with branch leadership, serve as an HQ-level liaison to federal and state EHS/HS representatives and governing bodies, participating in external communications as appropriate and aligned with program officer expectations;
• Represent Bethany in national EHS/HS forums and maintain relationships with peer organizations and industry leaders;
• Maintain oversight of governing board requirements, including training expectations, reporting obligations, and documentation standards, partnering with branch leadership to ensure compliance;
• Facilitate cross-departmental collaboration to ensure alignment and promote innovation to support program success;
• Participate in PQI monitoring and evaluation site visits to assess program compliance and strengthen fidelity to the model;
• Communicate national trends to internal stakeholders in a timely and actionable manner;
• Promote alignment between EHS/HS programs and Bethany’s broader strategic imperatives and PQI initiatives;
• Essential job responsibilities may vary based on the specific needs of each program/department;
• May be required or asked to participate in a Bethany sponsored event;
• Complete other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree in education, public policy, social work or a related field; a bachelor’s degree plus at least five (5) additional years of relevant experience may be considered in place of a master’s degree;
• Extensive experience in early childhood education, ideally with deep knowledge of Early Head Start program regulations and best practices;
• Proven leadership skills with a track record of leading complex programs, influencing cross functional teams, and driving operational improvements in multi-state or matrixed environments;
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build strong relationships with diverse stakeholders;
• Strong analytical skills and proficiency in data analysis and reporting;
• Demonstrated commitment to equity and inclusion in early childhood education;
• Computer skills sufficient to perform essential functions including knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite;
• Must be 21 years old with a valid driver's license with at least 3 years driving experience in the U.S. to operate a vehicle on behalf of Bethany;
• Must pass a Motor Vehicle Records (MVR) check and maintain a reliable vehicle with proof of adequate coverage;
• Pass a criminal history screen, including state and local child protection agency registries;
• Subscription to and integration of the agency Statement of Faith, Mission Statement, and Commitment to Unity.

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