Program Lead

Company: Vets Hired
Location: Antelope
Posted on: February 16, 2026

Job Description:

Job Description Job Description Job Summary The Program Lead oversees all programmatic and staffing operations of an early care and education center, ensuring high-quality services for infants, toddlers, and/or school-age children. This role is responsible for program planning, implementation, assessment, and continuous improvement while maintaining a safe, healthy, and inclusive environment. The Program Lead serves as a classroom and program leader, providing coaching, mentoring, observation, and feedback to teaching staff to ensure consistent, high-quality programming. The role also supports center operations such as enrollment, attendance, staffing, purchasing, and community engagement. Program Leads spend approximately 33% of their time working directly in ratio, based on center needs. Essential Job FunctionsProgram Quality Communicate program vision, mission, philosophy, and curriculum approaches to staff, families, schools, and community partners Ensure consistent and high-quality documentation practices, including observations, lesson plans, assessments, and reviews Support and mentor teaching staff in developing, implementing, and evaluating program action plans Collaborate with staff to create enriched, culturally responsive indoor and outdoor learning environments that meet industry standards Assess program quality, curriculum implementation, health and safety practices, and licensing compliance; implement continuous improvement strategies Lead and participate in quality rating and improvement systems for applicable programs Maintain knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices and relevant curriculum frameworks Use observations and assessment tools to support individualized child growth plans Support positive behavior approaches in partnership with families and staff Maintain classroom coverage in ratio as required Managing, Coaching & Supporting Staff Manage and support a team of teaching staff based on center size and enrollment Provide ongoing coaching, mentoring, and performance feedback Conduct timely performance evaluations and professional check-ins Facilitate effective team meetings that promote collaboration and accountability Observe classroom practices and provide immediate, constructive feedback Provide on-site modeling and mentoring to support curriculum and instructional quality Support onboarding, orientation, and retention of new staff Develop professional growth plans and align individual and team goals with organizational priorities Address performance concerns through corrective action plans when needed Leadership Commit to continuous professional growth in leadership, curriculum, and child development Participate in and lead professional development initiatives and share best practices Act as a change leader to support organizational improvements and initiatives Foster team engagement, morale, and a positive workplace culture Mentor staff for future leadership opportunities Support recruitment efforts through strong relationships with families, schools, and community partners Family & Community Partnerships Build authentic, culturally responsive relationships with children, families, and community partners Support family engagement opportunities and advisory participation Serve as a representative in school and community activities Assess community needs and adjust programming to better serve families Maintain open, two-way communication with families regarding child development and program activities Provide parent education and connect families to community resources Participate in advocacy efforts supporting children and families Compliance Ensure compliance with all applicable policies, procedures, licensing regulations, and funding requirements Maintain required staff-to-child ratios and health and safety standards Protect organizational assets and resources Business Management Forecast staffing needs and support hiring and onboarding efforts Support staff scheduling, purchasing, and operational planning Maintain enrollment and attendance goals Identify opportunities to improve program performance, enrollment, and operational efficiency Support budget oversight and purchasing guidelines Education & Experience Education High School Diploma or GED with required early childhood education units, or Associate or Bachelors degree with required ECE/CD, administration, and adult supervision units Site Supervisor Permit preferred or willingness to obtain upon hire Ongoing professional development required Experience 2–3 years of experience in an early childhood education or child development setting Minimum of 1 year of experience mentoring, coaching, or supervising adults Other Qualifications Ability to complete required orientation and mandated training Ability to meet background clearance and health screening requirements Strong understanding of child development, cultural responsiveness, and inclusive practices Excellent interpersonal, communication, and leadership skills Strong initiative, motivation, and strategic thinking abilities Ability to coach, mentor, and manage staff effectively Strong organizational, budgeting, and planning skills Commitment to high-quality program implementation and continuous improvement Bilingual or multilingual skills preferred

Keywords: Vets Hired, Novato , Program Lead, Education / Teaching , Antelope, California