Full-Time

Head Start Operations Manager

Family & Early Childhood Education

Posted on 5/9/2026

The Opportunity Alliance

The Opportunity Alliance

201-500 employees

Nonprofit community action agency delivering integrated services

Compensation Overview

$65k - $70k/yr

Portland, ME, USA

In Person

Travel between Head Start sites in Cumberland County; some evenings/weekends.

Category
Business & Strategy (2)
,
Required Skills
Data Analysis
Requirements
  • A high school diploma plus 5 plus years of experience in an early childhood program is required
  • 5-7 years of direct supervisory experience is required
  • Experience in human services program management, including program planning, operations and evaluation
  • Demonstrated ability to work effectively with complex information
  • Demonstrated ability to practice sound decision-making and good judgment under pressure
  • Demonstrated ability to work effectively with teams
  • Commitment to social justice and the mission of Head Start
  • Must pass a criminal background check, child protective services check and sex offender check
  • Must not be on the state or federal suspension and disbarment list
  • Employee must pass pre-employment physical and TB screen
  • Must be current on MMR and TDAP immunizations
  • Must be able to exert significant physical effort with frequent standing, walking, reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, crouching, typing and frequently lift and carry small children or material weighing up to 25 pounds
  • Driving may be necessary to attend meetings and trainings but is not a primary and essential job responsibility
Responsibilities
  • Designing and implementing organizational systems and tools that support the daily operations of Head Start and Early Head Start programming
  • Guiding teams that inform program management and design as well as monitoring and improvement
  • Working closely with the Director in the areas of reporting and contract and fiscal management
Desired Qualifications
  • Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management or social services related field preferred
  • Head Start experience strongly preferred
  • Experience designing and facilitating large and small format training
  • Experience in human services program management, including program planning, operations and evaluation
The Opportunity Alliance

The Opportunity Alliance

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The Opportunity Alliance is a non-profit community action agency serving Cumberland County, Maine, coordinating programs to help individuals and families build stable lives. It uses a wrap-around, holistic approach across four pillars—Behavioral Health & Wellness, Community Well-Being, Childcare & Early Childhood Education, and Poverty & Economic Mobility—with services like Maine Crisis Line/988, 211 Maine, residential treatment, homelessness prevention, heating assistance, Head Start, and WIC. It is funded by grants, public funding, and donations, and it uses data-driven, trauma-informed care to measure impact and ensure quality. Its goal is to reduce poverty, increase stability, and create economic mobility for people and communities, with statewide reach for some programs and deep local roots dating back to 1965.

Company Size

201-500

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

South Portland, Maine

Founded

1965

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Maine behavioral health crisis calls up 23% since 2024, expanding demand[2]
  • Universal pre-K expansion targets 40% enrollment growth by 2027 for Head Start[2]
  • Cumberland County homelessness up 18% since 2023, increasing CCHP funding opportunities[3]

What critics are saying

  • Maine DHHS contracts face 20% cuts eliminating behavioral health and Head Start programs[2]
  • MaineHealth Crisis Services wins 988 contracts, diverting 200,000+ annual calls from TOA[2]
  • Federal WIC funding slashed 15% under 2026 Farm Bill, reducing revenue $2M annually[2]

What makes The Opportunity Alliance unique

  • Integrated wrap-around model across 50+ programs serving 24,000 annually in Maine[2]
  • Statewide Maine Crisis Line and 211 Maine reach 200,000+ calls yearly[2]
  • Founded 1965 as War on Poverty agency with deep community trust[1]

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Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

403(b) retirement with a generous agency match (all employees are eligible)

Tuition Reimbursement

Unlimited Paid Time Off

Flexible Work Hours

Remote Work Options

Paid Holidays

Paid Vacation

Family Planning Benefits

Fertility Treatment Support

Professional Development Budget

Conference Attendance Budget

Wellness Program

Mental Health Support

Stock Options

Company Equity

Phone/Internet Stipend

Home Office Stipend

401(k) Retirement Plan

401(k) Company Match

Education allowance

Adoption Assistance

Childcare Support

Elder Care Support

Relocation Assistance

Employee Referral Bonus

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

Medical benefits

Dental and Vision insurance options