Director Early Care & Education

Futures First is seeking a Director of Early Care and Education (ECE) to join our team at the Children’s Campus in Kansas City, Kansas. This role offers an experienced, collaborative leader the opportunity to help shape the future of early learning and create lasting impact for young children and families throughout the community. 

The Director of Early Care and Education (ECE) provides strategic leadership, operational oversight, and programmatic innovation for Futures First's Early Care and Education quality initiatives, including professional development offerings that strengthen the early childhood workforce across the community.

Reporting to the Senior Director of Early Learning and Care, this position translates organizational strategy into high-impact program implementation by leading a complex portfolio of grant-funded initiatives, integrating multiple funding streams, requirements, and priorities to ensure operational excellence across Early Care and Education services. 

The Director, in partnership with the Program Managers, oversees program operations, quality improvement, fiscal management, and cross-functional collaboration while ensuring the delivery of high-quality coaching, professional development, and technical assistance for early childhood professionals. Together, they champion progressive, scalable ECE practices that drive continuous quality improvement, support workforce retention, and strengthen the professionals who nurture young children. 

Position: Director Early Care and Education 

Location: Kansas City, Kansas 

Agency: Futures First 

Job Type: Full-time

Compensation:  This role offers an annual salary range of $75,000–$89,999. The final salary offer will be determined based on the selected candidate’s qualifications and experience, alignment with the position requirements, and internal equity. In addition to salary, Futures First offers a comprehensive Total Rewards package.

Benefits Offered:

• Medical insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Vision and dental insurance
• Short-term disability insurance
• Life insurance
• 403(b) retirement plan with an employer match of up to 2%
• Annual employer retirement contribution of 5%
• Paid time off (PTO)
• Rolling paid holidays, allowing employees to observe holidays that reflect their personal, cultural, or religious beliefs
• Flexible work schedules with a hybrid model

Requirements

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Supervises Early Care and Education Program Managers and other staff as assigned by the Senior Director of Early Learning and Care.
• Provides leadership, coaching, mentoring, and performance management to program managers and departmental staff.
• Oversees recruitment, hiring, onboarding, performance evaluations, professional development, employee engagement, and corrective action processes in accordance with agency policies.
• Manages and oversees the development, implementation, and monitoring of departmental budgets to ensure alignment with organizational goals and funding requirements.
• Analyzes financial data, forecasts expenditures, and provides recommendations to optimize resource allocation and program sustainability.

Duties/Responsibilities:

Operational Leadership & Program Oversight

• Provide operational leadership for all Early Care and Education quality initiatives, including coaching, professional development, technical assistance, and workforce development programs.
• Translate strategic priorities into effective operational plans that support organizational goals and community needs.
• Ensure programs operate efficiently while maintaining compliance with agency, contractual, licensing, and funding requirements.
• Develop and implement operational policies, procedures, and best practices that improve program effectiveness and scalability.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement throughout the department.

Grant Management, Compliance & Reporting

• Oversee implementation of multiple grant-funded initiatives in collaboration with program managers.
• Ensure grant deliverables, contractual obligations, and performance outcomes are achieved on time and within budget.
• Direct the collection, analysis, and reporting of program outcomes, participant feedback, and performance measures.
• Oversee preparation and submission of required reports to funders and regulatory agencies.
• Maintain comprehensive grant and contract documentation in accordance with agency policies and funder requirements.

Financial Management & Resource Stewardship

• Monitor departmental budgets totaling approximately $3 million across multiple funding streams.
• Review monthly expenditures and financial reports to ensure fiscal accountability and sustainability.
• Collaborate with Finance to develop grant budgets, funding proposals, monitor expenditures, staffing allocations, submit budget modifications, and complete grant closeout activities
• Monitor staffing allocations and recommend adjustments to maximize operational efficiency and fiscal performance.

Strategic Planning & Continuous Quality Improvement

• Lead departmental operational planning aligned with the organization's strategic plan.
• Analyze program performance metrics, client feedback, and operational data to identify trends, opportunities, and service gaps.
• Develop and implement Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) initiatives that improve program outcomes and operational effectiveness.
• Strengthen internal systems and workflows to support efficient management of multiple funding streams.
• Promote innovation by implementing emerging coaching models, professional development strategies, and workforce support initiatives.
• Advance trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and inclusive practices throughout Early Care and Education programs.

Staff Leadership & Development

• Supervise, mentor, and develop Early Care and Education Program Managers and departmental staff.
• Build leadership capacity through coaching, professional development, and succession planning.
• Promote employee engagement, accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning.
• Support recruitment and retention strategies that strengthen the Early Care and Education workforce.

Community Partnerships & Cross-Department Collaboration

• Collaborate with Advancement, Finance, and other internal departments to support funding opportunities, grant implementation, and organizational initiatives.
• Represent Futures First in community partnerships, coalitions, advisory groups, and professional organizations.
• Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with funders, educational institutions, community organizations, and government agencies.
• Promote Early Care and Education initiatives that improve outcomes for children, families, providers, and the broader community.

Education and Experience:

• Master's degree in Early Childhood Education, Education, Child Development, Human Services, Public Administration, or a related field required.
• Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible leadership experience in Early Care and Education, nonprofit management, or related human services.
• Minimum of three (3) years of supervisory experience leading managers or professional staff.
• Demonstrated experience managing grant-funded programs, budgets, contracts, and operational performance.
• Experience with strategic planning, Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI), and organizational change management.
• Experience collaborating with community partners, government agencies, and funding organizations.
• Bilingual fluency in written and spoken English/Spanish preferred.

Physical Requirements:                                                                                                                                                                          

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Ability to travel to various program sites, partner locations, and community meetings.
• Must be able to lift up to 40 pounds at times.

Join Futures First?

At Futures First, you will be part of a highly respected agency committed to strengthening children, families, and communities across the Kansas City metro area. You will join a collaborative team that values relationships, innovation, and continuous improvement while making a meaningful impact on the quality of early care and education experiences for children and families. 

Equal Opportunity Employer: 

Futures First is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other protected status.

If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, contact Nicole Benoit at View email address on info.npconnect.org to discuss your needs.

Apply today and be a part of something extraordinary!