Early Education Manager

Early Education Manager

Reports To: Associate Director of Early Education

Status: Full-time; Exempt

Location: Hybrid – Inland Empire (Moreno Valley Office)

Hours of Operation: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–6:00 PM; occasional evenings or weekends as needed

Salary Range: $70,304.-$83,790 annually (based on experience and qualifications)

Are you passionate about giving back to your community and making a lasting difference in the lives of young people?

Who We Are: In 1922, Woodcraft Rangers opened its doors in Los Angeles and began its mission of guiding young people as they explore pathways to purposeful lives. As a progressive organization, Woodcraft has always been responsive to the evolving needs of the communities served, and is notably inclusive, youth-led, and rooted in the Woodcraft Way, a holistic framework that develops body, mind, spirit, and service. Continuously at the forefront of expanded learning opportunities, Woodcraft Rangers has a rich history of making a significant impact in the greater Los Angeles area, believing that all youth are innately good, deserve the opportunity to realize their full potential, and should be an active participant in defining their own path.

What We Do: Woodcraft Rangers provides TK-12 expanded learning programs, including before and after school, specialty enrichment, and summer learning. In the past few years, Woodcraft has expanded its menu of services beyond traditional afterschool programs and summer camps to include early learning, environmental and social justice, college access, and inclusion services for youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Additionally, we offer LifeCraft, a college and career advancement program to support the development of approximately 2,250 staff. Today, Woodcraft Rangers serves more than 30,000 youth ages 4 to 18 each year across 150 plus Title I schools in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Riverside counties, and continues to expand its reach.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate for the Early Education Manager role is a seasoned early childhood education professional who bridges high-level strategy and hands-on program delivery. They bring deep expertise in developmentally appropriate practice for TK–K learners and a proven track record of translating early learning frameworks into high-quality experiences within expanded learning settings. Reporting to the Associate Director of Early Learning and managing a team of Early Learning Associates, this person is a confident, mission-aligned leader who develops and empowers staff through coaching, training, and field-based support. They are skilled at collaborating with organizational partners, driving continuous program improvement, and ensuring curriculum execution that is engaging, child-centered, and aligned with both organizational values and partner expectations. Strong communicators with sharp organizational instincts, they are reflective practitioners who use data and feedback to inform their decision-making at every level.

Why Work for Woodcraft Rangers

• Competitive salary – $75,000 - $88,000 annually
• Paid vacation & sick time – generous time off to recharge
• Lifecraft program – free college & career advancement for all staff
• Upward mobility – promote-from-within culture
• Health, dental & vision – comprehensive benefits coverage
• 403(b) retirement plan – invest in your future
• Pet insurance – because your whole family matters
• Mission-driven work – impact 30,000 + young people annually

Role Overview

The Early Education Manager leads the implementation and continuous improvement of early learning programming for Transitional Kindergarten and Kindergarten participants within expanded learning settings. Reporting to the Associate Director of Early Learning, this role manages a team of Early Learning Associates and ensures the effective execution of curriculum, training, and program supports.

This role bridges strategy and practice—translating early learning frameworks into high-quality program experiences, staff training, and field support. The Early Education Manager is responsible for ensuring programs are developmentally appropriate, engaging, and aligned with organizational values and partner expectations.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and support Early Learning Associates through coaching, feedback, and performance management.
• Foster a collaborative, growth-oriented team culture.
• Ensure consistent, high-quality implementation across sites and regions.
• Oversee project management of early learning initiatives and timelines.
• Oversee the development and refinement of developmentally appropriate curriculum.
• Lead and facilitate early learning trainings for staff.
• Ensure alignment between curriculum, training, and field practices.
• Guide ongoing research to inform program design, training, and curriculum.
• Stay current on early childhood best practices and emerging trends.
• Build and maintain relationships with LEA partners, school leaders, and community stakeholders.
• Collaborate with internal teams to align early learning efforts with organizational priorities.
• Implement monitoring and evaluation systems to ensure program quality and compliance.
• Use feedback from students, families, and partners to inform improvements.
• Lead CQI efforts within early learning programs.
• Manage early learning components of training calendars, activity libraries, and resources.
• Ensure systems support effective program delivery and scalability.
• Model organizational values and contribute positively to organizational culture.
• Promote a "Kids First" and whole-child approach in all program decisions.

Qualifications & Skills

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or related field — or equivalent experience
• Minimum 2 years of leadership or management experience.
• Experience in program design, training, and implementation.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed practices and education equity.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Proven experience managing distributed teams in hybrid and multi-region environments

Preferred

• Master's degree Child Development, or related field
• Minimum 2 years of leadership or management experience with in early childhood education.
• CLASS Certification

Physical Demands

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the following physical demands may be essential for the effective performance of this position. Reasonable accommodation will be considered to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions:

• Frequent standing and sitting is required during working hours
• The ability to travel across the Great Los Angeles area, using either a car or public transportation, is necessary several times a month.
• Regular use of hands for various tasks, such as operating a computer and handling objects, is essential.
• Reasonable accommodation is available for individuals with disabilities.

Work Environment

We are committed to fostering an inclusive work environment and will actively consider reasonable accommodations to enable individuals to effectively perform their roles. This position operates in environments typical of the following key aspects:

• Regular exposure to computer monitors during work.
• The typical noise level of a standard work environment.
• Stable internet access is required for effective work-from-home performance.

Woodcraft Rangers provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without discrimination with regard to race, religious belief, color, sex, sex stereotype, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions (including breastfeeding), age, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identification and expression, transgender status, transitioning status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic characteristics, genetic information, family care, marital status, enrollment in any public assistance program, status as military, a veteran or qualified disabled veteran, status as an unpaid intern or volunteer, or any other classification protected by law. We also prohibit discrimination based on the perception that anyone has any of those characteristics or is associated with a person who has or is perceived as having any of those characteristics.