Head, U.S. Programs (E1)

Save the Children

For over 100 years, Save the Children has been fighting for the rights of children. The right to a healthy start in life. To have access to education. To be in a safe environment, protected from harm. We work in some of the world’s hardest-to-reach places – over 100 countries, including the U.S. No matter what your role is, when you join Save the Children, you’re creating positive, irreversible change for children, and the future we all share. 

The Role

As the Head, U.S. Programs you will be responsible for the strategic and operational leadership of Save the Children’s U.S.-based programs, ensuring they are high-quality, evidence-based, community-driven, and aligned with the organization’s global impact strategy. You will oversee the division’s senior management team and is accountable for the overall U.S. Programs budget, ensuring effective resource allocation, financial stewardship, and compliance. The role requires close collaboration with technical experts, research and evidence teams, and cross-functional partners to ensure programs are scalable, sustainable, and rooted in equity and inclusion.

Location

Hybrid – Washington DC, Fairfield, CT or Lexington, KY office locations, or

Remote – United States

What You’ll Be Doing (Essential Duties)

Strategic Leadership & Program Impact

• Lead the execution of Save the Children’s U.S. program strategy, ensuring alignment with the global Ambition for Children 2030 and the broader goals of the Impact & Evidence Division.
• Translate strategic priorities into actionable plans that drive measurable improvements in child well-being, and during emergencies.
• Ensure that all U.S. Programs are grounded in evidence, responsive to community needs, and adaptable to changing contexts.
• Collaborate with the CIO and other divisional leaders to ensure integration of U.S. Programs into a unified global impact framework, including shared learning and innovation across geographies.
• Provide strategic oversight and engagement for Save the Children’s Head Start and Early Head Start programs, recognizing their distinct regulatory, operational, and community-based nature. Serve as a key liaison to the Head Start Board, actively participating in board meetings and ensuring alignment between Head Start governance and broader U.S. Programs strategy.

Operational Management

• Oversee the day-to-day operations of U.S. Programs, including program implementation, technical support, and performance monitoring
• Provide direct supervision and leadership to the U.S. Programs senior management team, ensuring clarity of roles, accountability, and alignment with divisional goals.
• Manage the overall U.S. Programs budget, including planning, forecasting, and monitoring of expenditures to ensure financial health and compliance with donor and organizational requirements.
• Ensure operational systems and processes are efficient, scalable, and support high-quality program delivery.
• Partner with internal teams (e.g., Finance, Legal, People & Culture, Safety & Security) to ensure operational readiness and risk mitigation.

Leadership & Talent Development

• Build and lead a high-performing, mission-driven team that reflects Save the Children’s values of equity, inclusion, and collaboration.
• Foster a culture of continuous learning, innovation, and shared accountability across all levels of the U.S. Programs team.
• Support professional development, succession planning, and performance management for senior leaders and staff.
• Ensure staff safety and well-being, particularly for those working in field-based and emergency response roles.

Partnerships & Collaboration

• Collaborate with the Marketing & Growth Division to align fundraising strategies with programmatic priorities and ensure sustainability of U.S. Programs.
• Represent U.S. Programs in internal and external forums, including with donors, partners, coalitions, and government agencies, to elevate Save the Children’s voice and influence.
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with local communities, peer organizations, and public sector stakeholders to expand reach and impact.
• Work closely with the Policy & Advocacy team to ensure that programmatic insights inform policy change and public investment in children.

Planning, Reporting & Learning

• Lead annual and multi-year planning processes for U.S. Programs, ensuring alignment with organizational strategy and resource availability.
• Oversee the use of monitori