Position Summary
The Director of VPK Program Integrity and Growth provides strategic and operational leadership for the Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) program, working under the direction of the Chief Program and Policy Officer, ensuring program integrity, continuous quality improvement, and expanded access for families across the community. This role oversees all aspects of VPK administration, compliance, and provider accountability while actively advancing growth strategies that strengthen participation, improve quality, and increase equitable access to high-quality early learning experiences.
The Director leads efforts to ensure VPK is delivered in alignment with state and federal
requirements, ELC policies, and best practices, while fostering strong, collaborative relationships with VPK providers to support quality improvement, professional development, and program sustainability. In partnership with internal teams and community stakeholders, the Director works to increase family awareness and utilization of VPK through targeted outreach, streamlined enrollment supports, and data-informed growth initiatives.
This position serves as a key liaison between the Early Learning Coalition, VPK providers, families, and system partners balancing rigorous oversight with a supportive, solutions-oriented approach that promotes program excellence, expands provider participation, and ensures every eligible child has access to a high-quality VPK experience.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Program Administration & Compliance
- Provide overall leadership and oversight of the Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) program, ensuring full compliance with Florida Statutes, FDOE rules, contracts, and ELC policies.
- Oversee VPK program administration, including provider eligibility, contracts, monitoring, reporting, and corrective action processes.
- Ensure accurate, timely data submission, documentation, and program reporting to state and local stakeholders.
- Collaborate with internal compliance, finance, and operations teams to ensure fiscal integrity, enrollment accuracy, and audit readiness.
- Monitor regulatory changes and implement necessary policy, procedure, and operational updates to maintain program integrity.
Quality Improvement & Professional Development
- Lead VPK quality improvement strategies that support strong instructional practices and positive child outcomes.
- Partner with quality and professional development teams to align coaching, training, and technical assistance with VPK performance expectations.
- Support providers in understanding assessment requirements, performance measures, and improvement plans, using a strengths-based and solutions-oriented approach.
- Use program data and provider feedback to identify trends, gaps, and opportunities for quality enhancement.
Provider Engagement & Network Growth
- Build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with existing VPK providers to support compliance, quality, and sustainability.
- Develop and implement strategies to attract new VPK providers, particularly in underserved or high-need areas.
- Serve as a primary point of contact for providers regarding VPK requirements, best practices, and program supports.
- Facilitate provider meetings, training, and forums to promote communication, shared learning, and system alignment.
Family Access, Outreach & Enrollment Support
- Lead efforts to increase family awareness of and access to VPK through targeted outreach, partnerships, and community engagement.
- Collaborate with outreach, communications, and family services teams to promote VPK enrollment and reduce barriers for families.
- Ensure families receive clear, accurate, and timely information about VPK eligibility, enrollment, and provider options.
- Use enrollment and demographic data to inform outreach strategies and improve equitable access across the service area.
Program Growth, Strategy & Continuous Improvement
- Develop and implement data-informed strategies to grow VPK participation, provider capacity, and program impact.
- Analyze enrollment, attendance, performance, and provider data to guide decision-making and continuous improvement efforts.
- Contribute to ELC strategic planning by aligning VPK priorities with broader organizational goals and community needs.
- Prepare reports, presentations, and recommendations for executive leadership and the Board related to VPK performance, risks, and opportunities.
Leadership & Collaboration
- Supervise and support assigned staff, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning.
- Work cross-functionally with finance, compliance, quality, communications, and community impact teams to ensure coordinated VPK operations.
- Represent the ELC in meetings with state agencies, community partners, and providers as it relates to VPK.
- Model ELC values and a balanced approach to accountability and partnership in all interactions.
- Supports coalition goals by contributing to a collaborative, solutions-focused team environment.
- Supports the Coalition's mission and perform other duties assigned.
Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in early childhood education, Child Development, Public Administration or related field. Master's degree preferred.
Experience: Minimum of seven (7) years in early childhood education, human ser-vices, or program management roles. Experience in early learning, child care eligibility, or social services highly desirable.
Skills:
- Demonstrated leadership and team development abilities.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.
- Commitment to family-centered, high-quality customer service.
- Excellent organization, accuracy, and attention to detail.
- Reliable, punctual, ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams) and data systems.
- Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities
- Ability to work effectively with families and staff from diverse backgrounds.
- Language: Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.
- Other Requirements: Valid Florida driver's license, reliable transportation, and ability to pass a Level II background screening.
Other Requirements: Valid Florida driver’s license, reliable transportation, and ability to pass a Level II background screening.
Work Environment
- Work location varies based on the needs of the organization and may include a combination of office, community, and hybrid settings.
- Occasional travel within Sarasota County for community events, meetings, trainings, or evening/weekend activities.
- Ability to sit or stand for extended periods and lift up to 25 pounds for event materials.
- Must have reliable transportation and a valid Florida Driver’s License.
Pay: $60,000.00 - $90,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k) matching
- 403(b)
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- Do you have experience interpreting policies, contracts, regulations, and program guidance?
- Do you have experience developing, expanding, or improving programs or services?
- What methods or tools have you used to collect, track, analyze, and report program data?
- Tell us about a time you identified a compliance, performance, or data issue with a program or contract.
- What experience do you have building and maintaining positive working relationships?
Work Location: In person
