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Assistant Director, Early Education Division
Maricopa County | Posted Jan 25, 2026 Full-time • Arizona • Advanced (5-10 yrs) Overview
The Assistant Director provides leadership and manages the operations of the Early Education Division in administering federal, State, and non-profit programs and grants, including Early Head Start, Head Start, Child Care Partnerships, and the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). The Early Education Division is federally funded to administer center-based Head Start and Early Head Start early care and education, along with community resources and referrals to support children living in low-income households to be ready for school and families to achieve self-sufficiency. Currently, classrooms are operated through a mixed service delivery model of full-year, part-year, community, and school-based sites operated directly by Maricopa County and through contracted childcare partners. Responsibilities
Provide overall administrative and program direction for the Early Education Division (EED), including planning, implementation, grant application submission and reporting, staff supervision, budget, and financial management of all EED grant programs in full compliance with Head Start Performance Standards and Arizona childcare licensing requirements. Implement and manage a coordinated system of early childhood education, child wellness, and family support strategies to meet local needs, consistent with Head Start regulations, licensing requirements, and local/state/federal policy guidance. Develop and implement the department's and division’s strategic goals and operational/budget objectives, and operational policies and procedures to deliver effective and efficient service. Oversee and monitor change management and project management; align policies, organizational structure, business processes, and management practices with an innovative, client-centered, outcome-focused culture. Supervise staff, including workload standards, priorities, performance plans, coaching, and hiring; ensure cross-division collaboration for comprehensive service delivery. Participate as a member of the Department’s Executive Team and contribute to cross-functional leadership activities. Develop, manage, and oversee community partnerships, contracts, and agreements with governmental organizations, public schools, health and nutrition providers, and other partners; maintain relationships with officials at local, state, and federal levels. Work with the Policy Council and committees to ensure active participation in service planning and mobilizing community resources. Provide local, state, and regional leadership in Head Start programming through engagement with relevant associations. Qualifications
Six years of professional program administration and/or implementation experience, including fiscal and grant management. Three years of administration of a large human service program, including supervision and managerial administration. 45 CFR 1302.91(b) – an Early Head Start or Head Start director must have a minimum baccalaureate degree and experience in supervision of staff, fiscal management, and administration. Must possess or have the ability to obtain a valid Arizona driver’s license by the time of hire. Must possess or have the ability to obtain and maintain an Arizona Department of Public Safety Level 1 Fingerprint Clearance Card. Must complete a medical exam that includes screening for tuberculosis (TB). We Also Value
Experience in Early Head Start, Head Start, or related program management with supervisory duties. Extensive executive experience managing large government human services programs with supervisory duties and complex budgets. Experience with federal, state, or local early childhood care and education program administration. Experience with extensive and complex federal regulations, monitoring, compliance, and policy implementation. Experience with complex problem-solving, systemic solutions, and assessing community needs for measurable improvements. Master’s degree in Public Administration, Early Childhood Education/Development, Education, or related field. Job Contributions
Provides administrative and program direction for the Early Education Division, including planning, grant submission and reporting, staff supervision, budget and financial management of all EED grant programs, in full compliance with Head Start Performance Standards and licensing requirements. Leads coordinated strategies for early childhood education, child wellness, and family support to meet local needs and comply with relevant regulations and policies. Sets department and division strategic goals and operational objectives, and implements best practices, policies, and procedures. Manages change and projects, ensuring alignment of policies, structure, and processes with an innovative, client-centered culture. Performs supervisory responsibilities, including performance management and hiring, and ensures cross-divisional collaboration for service excellence. Represents the division on the Department’s Executive Team and collaborates with other leaders to fulfill organizational goals. Builds and maintains partnerships and agreements with governmental, educational, health, and nonprofit entities; maintains relationships with elected and appointed officials. Engages with the Policy Council to plan services and mobilize community resources, and provides Head Start leadership within professional associations. Working Conditions
Work is typically conducted in an office setting with travel to program sites across Maricopa County. Occasional out-of-town travel for trainings and conferences may be required. Work locations include the East Valley Center in Mesa and HSD Central Office in Phoenix. Selection Procedure
Only the most qualified candidates will be considered. Online applications are required for consideration. Candidates will be contacted primarily via email and through their Workday profile. Must pass a pre-employment background check and/or fingerprint investigation as required by statute or policy, including drug and alcohol testing for safety-sensitive positions. Maricopa County is an equal opportunity employer.
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Maricopa County | Posted Jan 25, 2026 Full-time • Arizona • Advanced (5-10 yrs) Overview
The Assistant Director provides leadership and manages the operations of the Early Education Division in administering federal, State, and non-profit programs and grants, including Early Head Start, Head Start, Child Care Partnerships, and the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). The Early Education Division is federally funded to administer center-based Head Start and Early Head Start early care and education, along with community resources and referrals to support children living in low-income households to be ready for school and families to achieve self-sufficiency. Currently, classrooms are operated through a mixed service delivery model of full-year, part-year, community, and school-based sites operated directly by Maricopa County and through contracted childcare partners. Responsibilities
Provide overall administrative and program direction for the Early Education Division (EED), including planning, implementation, grant application submission and reporting, staff supervision, budget, and financial management of all EED grant programs in full compliance with Head Start Performance Standards and Arizona childcare licensing requirements. Implement and manage a coordinated system of early childhood education, child wellness, and family support strategies to meet local needs, consistent with Head Start regulations, licensing requirements, and local/state/federal policy guidance. Develop and implement the department's and division’s strategic goals and operational/budget objectives, and operational policies and procedures to deliver effective and efficient service. Oversee and monitor change management and project management; align policies, organizational structure, business processes, and management practices with an innovative, client-centered, outcome-focused culture. Supervise staff, including workload standards, priorities, performance plans, coaching, and hiring; ensure cross-division collaboration for comprehensive service delivery. Participate as a member of the Department’s Executive Team and contribute to cross-functional leadership activities. Develop, manage, and oversee community partnerships, contracts, and agreements with governmental organizations, public schools, health and nutrition providers, and other partners; maintain relationships with officials at local, state, and federal levels. Work with the Policy Council and committees to ensure active participation in service planning and mobilizing community resources. Provide local, state, and regional leadership in Head Start programming through engagement with relevant associations. Qualifications
Six years of professional program administration and/or implementation experience, including fiscal and grant management. Three years of administration of a large human service program, including supervision and managerial administration. 45 CFR 1302.91(b) – an Early Head Start or Head Start director must have a minimum baccalaureate degree and experience in supervision of staff, fiscal management, and administration. Must possess or have the ability to obtain a valid Arizona driver’s license by the time of hire. Must possess or have the ability to obtain and maintain an Arizona Department of Public Safety Level 1 Fingerprint Clearance Card. Must complete a medical exam that includes screening for tuberculosis (TB). We Also Value
Experience in Early Head Start, Head Start, or related program management with supervisory duties. Extensive executive experience managing large government human services programs with supervisory duties and complex budgets. Experience with federal, state, or local early childhood care and education program administration. Experience with extensive and complex federal regulations, monitoring, compliance, and policy implementation. Experience with complex problem-solving, systemic solutions, and assessing community needs for measurable improvements. Master’s degree in Public Administration, Early Childhood Education/Development, Education, or related field. Job Contributions
Provides administrative and program direction for the Early Education Division, including planning, grant submission and reporting, staff supervision, budget and financial management of all EED grant programs, in full compliance with Head Start Performance Standards and licensing requirements. Leads coordinated strategies for early childhood education, child wellness, and family support to meet local needs and comply with relevant regulations and policies. Sets department and division strategic goals and operational objectives, and implements best practices, policies, and procedures. Manages change and projects, ensuring alignment of policies, structure, and processes with an innovative, client-centered culture. Performs supervisory responsibilities, including performance management and hiring, and ensures cross-divisional collaboration for service excellence. Represents the division on the Department’s Executive Team and collaborates with other leaders to fulfill organizational goals. Builds and maintains partnerships and agreements with governmental, educational, health, and nonprofit entities; maintains relationships with elected and appointed officials. Engages with the Policy Council to plan services and mobilize community resources, and provides Head Start leadership within professional associations. Working Conditions
Work is typically conducted in an office setting with travel to program sites across Maricopa County. Occasional out-of-town travel for trainings and conferences may be required. Work locations include the East Valley Center in Mesa and HSD Central Office in Phoenix. Selection Procedure
Only the most qualified candidates will be considered. Online applications are required for consideration. Candidates will be contacted primarily via email and through their Workday profile. Must pass a pre-employment background check and/or fingerprint investigation as required by statute or policy, including drug and alcohol testing for safety-sensitive positions. Maricopa County is an equal opportunity employer.
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