Executive Director

Executive Director -Sacramento CA or a major city near an airport within the HSW region

Sterling Search Inc. (SSI)has been exclusively retained to recruit the Executive Director for Head Start WEST: We Do

Head Start WEST works to strengthen and elevate the Head Start and Early Head Start community by supporting children families educators program leaders and government partners.

Through professional development peer-to-peer networks membership services and communications Head Start WEST promotes collaboration builds awareness and advances strategies that support school readiness family resilience and healthy communities.

The organization is committed to creating opportunities for shared learning professional growth and collaboration across the Head Start community helping programs enhance their impact and ensure children and families have the resources and support they need to thrive.

About

Head Start WEST (HSW) is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to addressing the needs of at-risk families while supporting and representing the interests of Head Start and Early Head Start programs. Its membership consists of organizations funded to provide Head Start Early Head Start and Early Head Start Child Care Partnership services.

The Association represents grantee agencies delegate organizations and corporate partners across Arizona California Nevada Hawaii and the Pacific Region. As the largest geographical Head Start region in the United States it serves more than 120000 infants toddlers preschool-aged children and families.

Head Start and Early Head Start programs across the region employ or contract with more than 37000 individuals including thousands of current and former Head Start parents and program participants. Membership is held by grantee and delegate organizations and extends throughout their staff child care partners and contractors. Head Start WEST also offers membership opportunities to individuals and corporate partners through its Friends and Corporate Membership programs.

With its long-time Executive Director retiring HSW is seeking a dynamic and visionary leader to guide the organization through its next chapter of growth and impact. HSW operates with an annual budget of $1.3 million a dedicated staff of four and approximately 160 members. The organization also benefits from a highly engaged and committed Board of Directors. Through its active committee structure the Board provides strategic guidance valuable expertise and responsive support serving as a significant resource and thought partner to the Executive Director.

HSW is well-positioned to expand its influence and strengthen its service to the Head Start community. As the Head Start landscape continues to evolve through changes in funding compliance requirements and community needs the next Executive Director will be an innovative and strategic leader who embraces change and identifies opportunities for growth. The successful candidate will be skilled in adult learning and professional development community building stakeholder engagement and revenue generation. This leader will strengthen HSWs value to its members while positioning the organization to respond proactively to emerging challenges and opportunities across the Head Start sector.

Position Description

The Executive Director serves as the chief executive of Head Start WEST and is responsible for the overall leadership management and strategic direction of the organization. Working closely with the Board of Directors the Executive Director sets the organizations vision drives strategic priorities and ensures operational excellence.

The Executive Director leads staff stewards organizational resources expands partnerships and elevates the voice and impact of Head Start programs across the Western region. The role is responsible for ensuring strong operations high-impact services financial sustainability and meaningful engagement with the organizations members.

Head Start WEST supports more than 150 Head Start and early childhood programs their staff and the children and families they serve. The Executive Director represents and advances the organizations work to connect strengthen and advocate for Head Start and early childhood programs across the region.

The Executive Director will also have opportunities to collaborate with professional networks within the Head Start community including national and state Head Start associations. As a multi-state organization aligned with the Western Regional Office of Head Start the position requires regional travel.

Strategic Opportunities and Challenges

R9HSA/Head Start WEST is grounded in a simple but powerful belief: every child and family deserves the opportunity to thrive in school and in life. This purpose drives our work and the partnerships we build across the western region.

The Head Start community is navigating a period of significant change. Shifting political landscapes workforce pressures evolving family needs and increased public scrutiny have created new challenges and new opportunities for early childhood leaders.

At the same time resilience innovation and commitment within the Head Start community have never been stronger.

The next Executive Director will play a critical role in helping the organization respond strategically to this moment by:

• advancing innovative professional learning opportunities
• strengthening community and peer networks
• elevating the value of the comprehensive services model
• and positioning Head Start WEST as a trusted regional and national voice for children families and early childhood professionals.

This role calls for a visionary and collaborative leader who can navigate complexity inspire partnerships and help shape the future of Head Start across the region.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

Organizational & Strategic Leadership

• Set and execute the organizations strategic vision in partnership with the Board of Directors.
• Serve as the primary advisor to the Board and support effective governance and decision-making.
• Lead organizational planning goal setting and performance measurement.
• Develop staff and consultants continually building capacity.
• Represent the association at the regional and national level advancing policy and advocacy priorities.
• Cultivate and strengthen relationships with member programs public agencies funders and partners.
• Deploy technologies to ensure effective performance by staff volunteers and board members.

Professional Learning & Member Engagement

• Oversee the design and delivery of conferences training and events that inspire and equip early childhood leaders.
• Ensure alignment of all member services with evolving program needs.
• Strengthen membership engagement and expand service offerings.
• Guide evaluation and continuous improvement of programs and services.
• Conduct annual needs assessment of professional learning needs by members.
• Create communities of practice and networks to build capacity and strengthen member organizations.
• Oversee scholarship programs and disaster relief efforts.

Communications & Public Presence

• Serve as the primary spokesperson and ambassador for the organization.
• Oversee communications strategy across web email social media and publications.
• Elevate the visibility and influence of Head Start programs and the associations impact.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with partners media and stakeholders.

Business & Operational Management

• Provide full oversight of organizational operations including finance HR and compliance.
• Lead budgeting financial planning and reporting in partnership with the Finance Committee and Board.
• Ensure sound fiscal management revenue diversification and long-term sustainability.
• Oversee vendor relationships contracts and business controls.
• Guarantee annual business filings including federal taxes state registry and county requirements.
• Identify and develop new revenue opportunities and strategic initiatives.
• Build and lead a high-performing team fostering a collaborative and mission-driven culture.

What You Bring

• Visionary leadership with the ability to translate strategy into action.
• Strong executive presence and exceptional communication skills including presentations trainings and facilitation.
• Demonstrated financial and operational leadership experience.
• Proven ability to build partnerships and influence across diverse stakeholders.
• Deep commitment to equity community impact and early childhood education.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in business nonprofit management education public administration or related field required; masters degree preferred.
• 57 years of senior leadership experience ideally in a nonprofit association or mission-driven organization.
• Experience working with or reporting to a Board of Directors.

Why Youll Love Working with Us

• Mission-driven culture focused on supporting children families and early childhood professionals.
• Opportunity to lead a respected high-impact regional organization.
• Collaborative environment that values innovation strategy and leadership.
• Ability to shape regional and national impact in early childhood education.

Work Model & Travel

• The position requires travel primarily throughout the region served by HSW.

Compensation & Benefits

• A salary range of $140000 to $165000 depending on experience with bonus potential of up to 15% of salary.
• Annual performance evaluation
• Annual Leave Sick Leave Holiday Pay
• Health Insurance Reimbursement
• SIMPLE IRA Retirement Match
• A positive mission-driven work environment

TO APPLY PLEASE CONTACT:

• Katie Croskey

Required Experience:

Director