Head of Programme Management

Grail Family Services

For more than 25 years, Grail Family Services (GFS) has been the heart of family resources, child care, and early learning in the historic Mayfair neighborhood of East San Jose. We advance the belief that services like high quality child care can transform lives and communities. GFS partners with families, schools, and communities to promote children’s success and well-being. We serve a community where more than 50% of local students are not reading at grade level by 3rd grade. Through our programs and family engagement efforts, we inspire lifelong learning and support the intellectual, creative, social, emotional, and physical development of every child. We believe strong partnerships with parents are key to success. We pair data with lived experience, co‑designing solutions with families and sharing what works to strengthen early learning locally and beyond.

Through our First 5 Family Resource Center, we deliver information and referrals, coordinate services in partnership with members of the Si Se Puede Collective, and provide parenting workshops with onsite child enrichment to our local community. GFS has also designed and implemented innovative, family-focused programming that are research based, such as our Family Math Program (in partnership with Stanford University’s DREME Network and NYU) and the Building Blocks of Parenting™ (BBP) App (in collaboration with the Santa Clara County Office of Education and FIRST 5 Santa Clara County). We continue to be a leader in the early childhood education and child care innovation space and are committed to bring this innovation to East San Jose. Together, we serve low-income families through coordinated services, advocacy, and community engagement, grounded in the belief that collective action creates deeper impact.

The vision of the SSPC is for a Mayfair community that is rooted and thriving, where resilient families have confidence in their gifts, choices and dreams. The mission of the SSPC is to leverage the collective’s creativity, services and advocacy to create opportunities and access to basic needs, education, literacy, and community engagement.

Helping youth navigate the world with cultural confidence

Advancing community-led advocacy and systems change

Implementing a blueprint for transformation in historic East San Jose

Promote smart development without displacement in the Mayfair community

Reporting to the Deputy Director and collaborating with the Senior Leadership Team (including the Directors of Development, Finance, Operations & HR, and Policy & Communications), the Director of Programs oversees the strategic design, implementation, management, and evaluation of all GFS programs and initiatives.

State and federally funded preschools

Full-day toddler daycare center

Family Child Care Home Education Network (FCCHEN)

First 5-Family Resource Center and community programs

As a key thought partner to the Executive and Deputy Directors, this leader will help operationalize GFS’s role as a demonstration site for the City of San José’s Children & Youth Services Master Plan (CYSMP), contributing to systems alignment, equitable access, and a ‘no wrong door’ approach for families.

They value co‑creating alongside the families they serve, and are comfortable using design thinking approaches, outcome evaluation, and continuous learning to shape programs. They are grounded in the community and deeply committed to equity, social justice, and strengthening systems that support children and families.

Lead the development and implementation of mission-aligned program strategies and initiatives

Collaborate with the Deputy Director and Senior Leadership to identify and pursue strategic program opportunities and partnerships

Build shared processes and cross-site workflows so families experience seamless, coordinated care

Develop systems in partnership with our Evaluation Manager for program effectiveness and ensure data-driven decision making, promoting a culture of evaluation amongst the program team

Oversee record-keeping to ensure smooth audits and regulatory compliance

Identify and mitigate risks related to program delivery, staffing, and compliance

Team Leadership and Supervision

Supervise and support program managers to foster professional growth, quality assurance, innovation and collaboration

Work with the Director of Operations & HR to recruit and retain qualified program staff

Collaborate with the Director of Policy and Communications on the implementation of GFS Policy Agenda

Support the Director of Development in fundraising efforts, including grant and donor reporting and programmatic compliance

Participate in collaborative work with the Si Se Puede Collective and other community partners.

Be a visible, trusted presence in the community, representing GFS at events within and outside the organization.

Decision Quality

Makes decisions grounded in data, family voice, and long‑term organizational priorities.

Manages Conflict

Minimum 7 years of progressive program management experience, with at least 5 years in a leadership role

Demonstrated success in staff supervision, budgeting, program evaluation, and strategic planning

Experience working with diverse populations, including immigrant and Spanish-speaking communities

Deep commitment to equity, social justice, and community empowerment

Familiarity with professional development, training, and adult learning

Master’s degree in education, child development, social work, or a related field

Bilingual in English and Spanish

Experience with grants management, fundraising, and systems change initiatives

CPR/First Aid Certification and Mandated Reporter Training (within 60 days of hire)

Proof of required immunizations (TB, MMR, Tdap, Influenza)

Background check and fingerprint clearance required

This is an in‑person role based in the Grail Family Services offices in the Mayfair community of San Jose, CA. Some evening and weekend work is required, with some local travel as needed.

We respect each other, our clients, and the larger community.

Collaboration: We seek to increase our impact and scope through partnership and collaboration with each other, our clients and the larger ecosystem.

Inclusion: We value equity, inclusion, and dignity for all. We pledge to support and maintain an environment that respects the diversity of the people with whom we engage.

Family: We acknowledge families’ strengths, respect their unique assets, and partner with them to meet their needs. We focus on the parent/child relationship.

Quality: Each program and service includes documented expected outcomes, which we measure and review in the spirit of continuous improvement.

Medical, vision, and dental insurance (valued at over $6,000/year) with no employee contribution

401(k) retirement plan with 10% employer match contribution

Vacation days, paid holidays, sick leave, and 2 floating holidays annually (upon eligibility)

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