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Head Start Director Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Lyons HR, LLC

$25/hr

Director, Head Start Program Job Summary: This position is responsible for overseeing the physical sites of BBCF's Head Start centers, storage units and administrative offices including all building ...

Brightpoint

Head Start Center Supervisor

Fort Wayne, IN · On-site

$28.10 - $28.11/hr

JOB SUMMARYThe Head Start Center Supervisor is responsible for managing, organizing, executing, facilitating, and directing the necessary functions of an individual Brightpoint Head Start site. The ...

Brightpoint

Head Start Center Supervisor

Fort Wayne, IN · On-site

JOB SUMMARY The Head Start Center Supervisor is responsible for managing, organizing, executing, facilitating, and directing the necessary functions of an individual Brightpoint Head Start site. The ...

Brightpoint

Head Start Center Supervisor

Fort Wayne, IN · On-site

$28.10 - $28.11/hr

JOB SUMMARY The Head Start Center Supervisor is responsible for managing, organizing, executing, facilitating, and directing the necessary functions of an individual Brightpoint Head Start site. The ...

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$22K

$96.6K

$221K

How much do head start director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for head start director in the United States is $96,611.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $50,000.00 and $125,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Head Start director?

Head Start Directors are professionals responsible for overseeing the operation of Head Start programs, which provide early childhood education, health, nutrition, and parent involvement services to low-income children and families. They manage program staff, ensure compliance with federal and state regulations, and work to create a positive learning environment for children. Head Start Directors also handle budgeting, community outreach, and the development of educational strategies to meet the needs of their communities.

What does a Head Start director do?

The job duties of a Head Start director include overseeing the setup and day-to-day operations of a Head Start early education program. In this career, you ensure that the program meets Head Start standards and mandates. You provide leadership in developing and assessing the program, and you may hire and offer guidance to staff. You also oversee the implementation of early education teaching practices and ensure compliance with Head Start standards. This career may also include administrative responsibilities, such as securing funding and organizing a budget.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Head Start director?

To thrive as a Head Start Director, you need expertise in early childhood education, program administration, and compliance management, typically supported by a bachelor's or master's degree in education or a related field. Familiarity with federal Head Start Performance Standards, grant management systems, and data tracking tools like ChildPlus is essential. Exceptional leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills help foster positive staff relationships and engage families effectively. These capabilities are crucial for ensuring program quality, regulatory compliance, and positive outcomes for children and families.

What are some common challenges faced by a Head Start director and how can they be addressed?

A Head Start Director often faces challenges such as managing limited resources, meeting strict regulatory requirements, and ensuring high-quality, inclusive programming for children and families. Balancing administrative duties with hands-on leadership requires strong organizational and communication skills. Successful directors build supportive teams, foster ongoing staff development, and maintain open communication with families and community partners to address these challenges proactively.

What is the difference between Head Start Director vs Education Coordinator?

AspectHead Start DirectorEducation Coordinator
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Early Childhood Education or related field; experience in program managementBachelor's or Master's in Education or Early Childhood; teaching or curriculum development experience
Work EnvironmentOversees multiple classrooms and staff in Head Start programs, manages budgets and complianceFocuses on curriculum implementation, teacher support, and classroom activities
Employer & Industry UsageNonprofit organizations, government agencies, Head Start programsEducational institutions, Head Start programs, childcare centers

The Head Start Director manages the overall program, staff, and compliance, while the Education Coordinator focuses on curriculum and classroom support. Both roles require relevant early childhood credentials but differ in scope and responsibilities within the Head Start environment.

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Head Start Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Head Start Director job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 61% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 23% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $96,611 per year, or $46.4 per hour.

Dir of Head Start/EHS

The Opportunity Alliance

South Portland, ME • On-site

$85K - $95K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 26 days ago

Job description

Director of Head Start / Early Head Start
Salary range: $85k - $95k
The Opportunity Alliance is seeking a Program Director for our Head Start and Early Head start programs.
The Director of Head Start and Early Head Start position offers a unique opportunity to play a critical role in advancing equitable access to high quality, culturally appropriate early education, childcare, and support services to hundreds of children and families across Cumberland County.
This position is responsible for the supervision and management of the overall operations of the program and assures that service design, delivery and quality comply with the federal Head Start Standards, state licensing regulations and all legal and contractual obligations. The Director is also responsible for setting and holding program managers accountable to achieving specific results in child and family outcomes, evaluating and improving program systems, and representing the agency in local, regional, and state communities.
The ideal candidate is a strategic leader that plans for and makes decisions within the framework of organizational mission, values and goals. They build trusting relationships through effective communication, reliability, and collaboration. The prospective candidate is flexible and able to pivot quickly and intentionally in a changing environment. They are invested in the community and believe deeply in the value of Head Start in interrupting poverty and preparing children and families for school.
Schedule: This is a full-time, 40 hours/week, salaried position.
This is an administrative role working M - F, primarily regular business hours. Some evenings hours may arise.
Location: Office is based in South Portland, but will be supporting classrooms across Portland, South Portland, and Westbrook. Some travel to classroom locations may be required.
Qualifications:
  • Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education or related field, or bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education; or, Bachelor's Degree in a field related to ECE and coursework equivalent to a major in ECE, plus minimum five years' experience in a managerial role (program planning and operations and evaluation).
  • 3-5 years of supervisory experience, required.
  • Group facilitation skills and experience leading and engaging parents.
  • Ability to be self-motivated and organized and strong verbal and written communication skills required. Computer and word processing skills preferred.
  • Sensitivity and familiarity working with diverse populations required.
  • Must be able to pass pre-employment physical and TB screen.
  • ECE must be current on MMR and TDAP immunizations.
  • Must be able to successfully pass a criminal background, child protective service check & sex offender check.
  • Must not be on the state or federal suspension and disbarment list.
  • Must be able to exert moderate physical effort with occasional standing, walking, reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, crouching, typing and frequently lift and carry small children or material weighing up to 25 pounds.
  • Driving may be necessary to attend meetings and trainings but is not a primarily and essential job responsibility.

Benefits: Our benefits include but are not limited to:
(offered to full-time and part-time employees)
  • Generous paid time off accrual
  • 9 paid holidays per calendar year and up to 3 floating holidays per calendar year
  • Excellent medical benefits at very reasonable cost
  • Dental and Vision insurance options
  • Agency paid basic life insurance and STD & LTD disability insurances
  • 403(b) retirement with a generous agency match (all employees are eligible)
  • Tuition Reimbursement - offered once per year through an application process
  • The Opportunity Alliance (TOA) is a qualified employer under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.

To learn more about our benefits please visit, https://www.opportunityalliance.org/explore-our-benefits
Who we are
The Opportunity Alliance is "Helping People Reach for a Brighter Future".
Mission: The Opportunity Alliance works with people to build better lives and stronger communities. We provide advocacy, leadership, and support to identify the goals and address the needs of individuals, families, and communities.
The Opportunity Alliance (TOA) is a dynamic, results-focused Community Action Agency providing approximately 50 integrated community-based and clinical programs serving more than 20,000 people annually throughout the state of Maine. With over 50 years of experience, TOA draws from a comprehensive set of programs which address issues such as mental health, substance use, homelessness, lack of basic needs, and access to community supports. Through an extensive array of services, TOA provides opportunities for individuals to stabilize fragile situations and then works with them to achieve self-sufficiency. TOA is client-focused with extensive experience working with diverse client populations. TOA programming includes four key sectors of service:
  • Mental Health & Wellness
  • Community Building
  • Family & Early Childhood Education
  • Economic Resources

If you are viewing this posting on a third-party site, please visit our website at https://opportunityalliance.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/Careers to apply.
Please submit a cover letter and resume along with your application.
Thank you!

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