Senior Managing Director/Deputy Executive Director, Head Start

Position Title:           Senior Managing Director/ Deputy Executive Director, Head Start

Corporate Title:        Managing Director II, Program Management

Job Level:                 M4                  

Employee Type:        ☒Full-time regular   ☐Part-time regular   ☐Temporary          

Supervisor Title:         Executive Director, Head Start

Dept & Division:        Head Start Programs

Child Safety:             ☐Level 1- No Contact   ☒Level 2- Limited Contact   ☐Level 3- Contact

(Click  here for more information on Child Safeguarding Levels)

 

 

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 Senior Managing Director, Head Start Program, you’ll be integral to our work in helping vulnerable children achieve a brighter future. You will serve as the executive leader responsible for the multi‑state strategy, performance, and delivery of Save the Children’s Head Start and Early Head Start programs. Acting as a key partner to the Executive Director, this role functions as the primary integrator between divisional strategy and local program execution, ensuring scalable, high‑quality implementation aligned with Head Start Performance Standards, organizational priorities, and best‑in‑class operating models.

As a member of the Head Start Leadership Team, the Senior Managing Director provides enterprise oversight of State Program Directors, establishes portfolio‑level delivery standards, and holds leaders accountable for consistent performance and results across states. In close collaboration with the Executive Director and Director of Quality and Compliance, the Senior Managing Director translates strategic objectives into executable plans, aligns resources to priorities, and evaluates progress through data‑informed performance management.

Through disciplined leadership, cross‑functional collaboration, and a strong commitment to equity and excellence, the Senior Managing Director advances department‑wide strategies, promotes a positive and accountable workplace culture, and ensures Save the Children’s Head Start portfolio delivers measurable impact for children, families, and communities across all states of operation.

 

Location:

 

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

On site - Washington DC, Fairfield, CT or Lexington, KY office locations

Remote – United States (only open to specific USP/SCAN roles)

 

What You’ll Be Doing (Essential Duties):

Program Implementation and Performance (60%)

 

• Oversee the translation of program design into scalable, high quality delivery frameworks and lead the implementation strategy of Head Start and Early Head Start programs across assigned states.
• Ensure programs consistently meet or exceed Head Start quality, compliance, and performance standards by driving cross-functional collaboration with Quality & Compliance, Monitoring & Evaluation, program development, and shared services to address trends, improve efficiency, align resources, and enhance program outcomes at scale.
• Provide executive oversight and leadership to State Program Directors, strengthening leadership capability, accountability, and consistent execution through coaching, performance management, and clear performance expectations.
• Lead cross‑state operational readiness and start‑up efforts, ensuring new or expanding programs are implemented on time, within scope, and aligned to Head Start standards and delivery expectations.
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