Location: We have sites in Providence, RI, Pawtucket, RI and Central Falls, RI
Reports To: Deputy Director of Head Start
Employment Type: Full-Time
At Children's Friend, we believe every child deserves the strongest possible start in life. We're looking for a collaborative, strategic, and passionate leader to join our team as the Manager of Early Childhood Partnerships, Quality Instruction & Mentoring.
If you're an experienced early childhood leader who thrives on coaching others, building strong community partnerships, and driving high-quality educational outcomes, this is an opportunity to make a lasting impact on children, families, educators, and communities.
As a key member of our Child Development leadership team, you'll provide leadership across our Head Start, Early Head Start, Child Care, and Pre-K partnership programs. You'll work closely with educators, coaches, families, and community partners to ensure every classroom delivers exceptional learning experiences while maintaining compliance with federal and state standards.
You'll:
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Lead and support high-performing early childhood partnership programs.
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Coach and mentor leaders and educators to strengthen instructional practices.
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Drive continuous quality improvement using classroom, child outcome, and program data.
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Build meaningful relationships with community partners and stakeholders.
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Champion equity, inclusion, and family engagement across all programs.
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Support strategic planning, budgeting, and program growth.
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Help develop the next generation of early childhood professionals through reflective supervision and professional development.
We're looking for someone who combines leadership with heart.
Qualifications include:
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Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field (Master's preferred)
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7–10 years of progressive leadership experience in early childhood education
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Strong knowledge of Head Start Performance Standards, DHS Licensing, RIDE Pre-K, and BrightStars
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Experience with coaching, adult learning, partnership management, and program evaluation
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Excellent leadership, communication, and relationship-building skills
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A passion for improving outcomes for children and families
A mission-driven organization committed to equity, inclusion, and community
A collaborative and supportive workplace culture
Opportunities for professional growth and meaningful impact
Comprehensive benefits and professional development support
We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and are committed to creating a workplace that supports and celebrates diversity. If you need assistance or accommodation during the application process, please contact us at [email protected].
Children’s Friend offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes the following:
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Medical Dental and Vision coverage
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Employer contributions to the 403(b) plan
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Employer-paid Life and Disability insurance
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Flex Spending Accounts
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12 Holidays
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Competitive Vacation Benefits
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Training and Professional Development
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Education Assistance
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Student Loan Repayment Assistance
