Director Of Program Operations Jobs in Missouri (NOW HIRING)

Position Summary: The Associate Director of Program Operations provides strategic, operational, and compliance leadership across all Head Start, Early Head Start, CCTR, and CSPP program sites. This role ensures high-quality service delivery, full enrollment, operational consistency, and adherence to federal, state, and local regulations. The Associate Director directly supervises Area Managers and leads multi-site operational systems that support program excellence, workforce stability, and strong outcomes for children and families.

• Program Operations Oversight — Leads daily operations across multiple sites, ensuring consistent implementation of systems, procedures, and quality standards aligned with Head Start Performance Standards, Title 5, Title 22, and CCTR/CSPP regulations.
• Multisite Management — Oversees operational performance across all assigned sites, ensuring alignment, efficiency, and compliance in service delivery.
• Area Manager Supervision — Provides direct supervision, coaching, and performance management for Area Managers. Ensures they maintain operational consistency, meet enrollment targets, and uphold compliance expectations.
• Operational Accountability — Holds Area Managers accountable for enrollment, attendance, staffing, documentation, and timely follow-through on all operational tasks.
• Cross-Department Collaboration — Partners with Education, Family Services, Health, HR, and Facilities to ensure integrated service delivery and coordinated operational support.

• Enrollment Oversight — Monitors enrollment, recruitment, attendance, and retention across all sites; implements strategies to maintain full enrollment and compliance with funded capacity.
• Ensures Area Managers and site teams follow enrollment procedures, complete finals promptly, and maintain accurate documentation.
• Uses data to identify enrollment trends, gaps, and needed interventions.

• Compliance Leadership — Ensures all sites meet Head Start Performance Standards, CCTR/CSPP requirements, licensing regulations, and agency policies.
• Oversees monitoring activities, corrective action plans, and continuous quality improvement processes.
• Ensures operational documentation is accurate, timely, and audit-ready.

• Unionized Workforce Management — Navigates staffing, scheduling, and operational decisions within a unionized environment. Ensures adherence to collective bargaining agreements and supports positive labor-management relationships.
• Provides guidance to Area Managers on contract compliance and workforce practices.

• Supervisor Development — Coaches Area Managers to strengthen leadership skills, operational decision-making, and team management.
• Supports professional development, workforce stability, and succession planning.
• Conducts performance evaluations and leads improvement plans when needed.

• Data Analysis — Uses program data to monitor operational performance, enrollment, attendance, staffing, and compliance.
• Identifies trends and implements targeted improvement strategies.

• Facilities Coordination — Supports Area Managers in addressing facilities needs, safety concerns, and operational disruptions.
• Ensures sites maintain emergency preparedness procedures and safety compliance.

• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Public Administration, or related field; Master’s preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of supervisory experience, including direct supervision of managers or multisite leadership roles.
• Experience supervising Area Managers or equivalent mid-level leaders.
• Demonstrated experience in Head Start, Early Head Start, CCTR, and CSPP operations.
• Experience working within a unionized environment.
• Strong knowledge of Head Start Performance Standards, Title 5, Title 22, and CCTR/CSPP regulations.
• Proven ability to lead complex operations across multiple sites and support managers in achieving program goals.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

• Experience with program monitoring, CLASS, DRDP, and other early childhood assessment systems.
• Experience managing budgets, contracts, and operational workflows.
• Bilingual skills (English/Spanish) highly desirable.

• Leadership & Team Development
• Operational Excellence
• Compliance & Accountability
• Strategic Planning
• Relationship BuildingData Analysis & Reporting
• Problem Solving & Decision Making

• Ability to pass a physical examination and tuberculin skin test. Meet the State of California immunization requirement for employees of day care centers, immunization proof against influenza, pertussis and measles.
• Fingerprint clearance and criminal record check required.
• Verification of current driver’s license and insurance required for personal car usage.