Vice President of Education

About The Centers

At The Centers, we believe in healing, teaching, and inspiring. Through our comprehensive approach, we help individuals and families reach their full potential by providing health, family, and workforce services at 11 locations throughout Greater Cleveland, creating life-changing solutions for people to lead healthier and more successful lives.

We strive to be a service-oriented workplace that pioneers and co-creates solutions while fostering an inclusive community where our team members thrive.

Our Early Learning Impact

Our Early Learning Centers and programs provide high-quality care for children during the critical first 2,000 days of life. We operate seven high-quality early learning centers serving children birth through five years old in Cleveland and the inner-ring suburbs. Because of our commitment to excellence, all sites have achieved a 5-Star rating on the Step-Up-To-Quality Rating and have been recognized and selected to participate in Universal Prekindergarten (UPK) and PRE4CLE.

The Opportunity

The Vice President of Education is responsible for overseeing the daily operational activities of The Centers' early learning division, including all program services and long-term strategic planning related to the management of both the directly operated program and its early learning affiliates.

This position plays a crucial role in supporting The Centers as a Head Start and Early Head Start grantee, with the potential to serve as the Grantee Head Start Director. In this role, the Vice President will be accountable for delivering high-quality services to over 1,000 children and families across Cuyahoga County.

The Vice President will ensure that the Early Learning program achieves its goals and maintains high-quality services that meet or exceed all Head Start and related funding performance standards and regulations. Additionally, this role will drive continuous improvement in operations and foster collaborative problem-solving and innovation within the program.

What You'll Do

Strategic Leadership & Program Management

• Serve as a member of The Centers' Senior Staff team, participating in both organizational and program strategic planning and execution
• Develop and execute program plans that meet or exceed all Head Start and Early Head Start performance standards and related regulations alongside the Chief Program Officer
• Align the goals and outcomes of the grantee and Head Start/Early Head Start programs to The Centers' overall strategy
• Serve as the Head Start Director when needed

Operational Excellence & Compliance

• Participate in internal program performance dashboard reviews and conduct regular review sessions for staff to monitor performance
• Review, oversee analysis, interpret, and communicate overall program information to ensure all program operations utilize data to drive quality decisions
• Identify opportunities for improvement, problem-solving, and strategic planning
• Ensure all slots under grantee supervision receive appropriate oversight, monitoring, and technical assistance
• Assist with readiness for Head Start and Early Head Start federal review processes
• Ensure all materials and services purchased with federal dollars meet federal requirements

Team Leadership & Development

• Oversee key members of the Early Learning Leadership Team: Director of Operations, Director of Education, Director of Grantee Services, Director of Family & Community Engagement, and Early Learning Administrative Assistant
• Hire, evaluate, and terminate staff according to organization policies and procedures, including the collective bargaining agreement
• Ensure appropriate professional development and training plans are in place for staff
• Practice situational leadership to develop team members into self-reliant achievers

Stakeholder Engagement & Governance

• Support the governance process, including interaction with the Board of Directors, Board Program Committee, Policy Council, and other stakeholder groups
• Oversee the development of recruitment and enrollment strategies that ensure all grantee slots remain fully enrolled (in coordination with Advancement function)
• Support The Centers' leadership in pursuing the organization's advocacy agenda and establishing it as a thought leader on Head Start/Early Head Start and early learning

Quality Improvement & Problem Resolution

• Assist with the development and implementation of strategic interventions with delegates, partners, or the direct operated program to resolve potential deficiencies, known deficiencies, or any type of non-compliance
• Identify opportunities to improve overall program operations, including policies and procedures for both program and administrative functions (HR, Finance, Audit, etc.)
• Keep current in the early learning/childhood fields

Other Responsibilities

• Other duties as assigned
• Flexibility in working hours is essential
• Travel between sites in the greater Cleveland area as needed

What You'll Bring

Required Qualifications

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in early childhood education, child development, social services, or related discipline
• Minimum of 4 years' experience in a similar management role (Operations Director or other Director-level role)

Additional Requirements:

• Demonstrated leadership experience in multi-site, multi-layered operations, preferably in an educational environment
• Demonstrated experience incorporating data in management and decision-making
• Current valid driver's license and insured vehicle for travel between sites in the greater Cleveland area
• No record of child abuse or moral turpitude as determined by background check based on fingerprints
• Flexibility in working hours essential

Upon Hire:

• Certification in CPR/First Aid, Communicable Disease, Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in early childhood education, child development, social services, or related discipline with at least 2 years' experience in a Head Start management role (Manager or Director role)
• Understanding of the regulatory bodies that govern early learning environments

The Skills That Will Make You Successful

Situational Leadership: Ability to adjust leadership style to meet the readiness level of each team member. Enables and empowers team members to develop their competency and commitment; creates an environment of trust and mutual respect; sets an example for other leaders in the organization.

Accountability: Holds self and others accountable for measurable, high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results. Determines objectives, sets priorities, and delegates work effectively. Accepts responsibility and holds direct reports responsible for their outcomes.

Team Building: Provides direction and guidance to individuals and groups while encouraging cooperation between team members. Discusses strategic goals, mission, and vision with team members; enhances the team's problem-solving skills; develops individuals and teams to become self-reliant achievers.

Communication: Communicates in clear language and adjusts use of language to the audience's level. Clarifies vague discussions by pointing out main issues; simplifies complicated language; uses imagery effectively; estimates accurately what language and style are appropriate in various situations.

Financial Acumen: Demonstrates broad understanding of financial management principles to direct organizational actions. Uses cost-benefit thinking to set priorities; prepares, justifies, and administers budgets; monitors overall performance and adjusts allocation of finances based on progress against goals; fosters fiscal responsibility.

Independent Judgment/Problem Solving: Uses data to drive decision-making and translates operational goals into key performance indicators. Makes decisions confidently; supports judgment with data and facts; encourages others to distinguish between relevant and irrelevant aspects; defines criteria on which conclusions are based. Solves difficult problems with effective solutions; probes all sources for answers; sees hidden problems; looks beyond the obvious.

Working Conditions

This position works primarily in an office environment and routinely uses standard office equipment. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to speak and hear, frequently required to sit for extended periods of time, and use hands and fingers to reach with hands and arms.

The position requires travel to multiple Centers locations throughout the day, as well as occasional off-site meetings or events. Travel and work outside of normal hours may be required for meetings, presentations, training, and other events. Flexibility to adjust to varied work environments and schedules is essential.

Our Commitment to You

When you join The Centers, you're joining an organization that's transforming behavioral healthcare and early learning in Greater Cleveland. We're building a comprehensive system of care that provides seamless support across every stage of a person's journey.

You'll be supported to do your best work through great managers, wellbeing resources, and a culture that celebrates bravery, growth, and the unwavering belief that We Can & We Will make a difference.

Wellbeing and Benefits

Providing quality benefits to our staff is important to us. Just as important is our staff's well-being. That's why we offer a number of choices to meet the different needs of our team:

Health & Wellness:

• Choice of medical and dental plans
• Vision coverage
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Flexible Spending Account for Health and Dependent Care
• Mental Health Support
• Employee Assistance Program
• Calm Subscription
• Short and Long-term Disability

Financial Security:

• Life Insurance
• Retirement Savings (401k) with company contribution

Professional Development:

• Support for continuing education and credential renewal

Ready to Make an Impact?

If you're looking for more than just a job—if you want to be part of a team that's healing, teaching, and inspiring our community—we want to hear from you.

Join us in building healthier, more prosperous communities. Join us at The Centers.