Exec Director -Operations & Compliance (ChdDevSvc)

At the District level, Child Development Services supports the early childhood education programs and operations of CCCs Child Development Laboratory Schools / Child Development Centers (CDC) located at five of its campuses. CCC receives approximately 4 million in annual grant funding for programs including Head Start, Early Head Start, Preschool for All, Preventive Initiative, Child and Adult Care Food Program, and Child Care Collaboration.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE

Reporting to the Senior Advisor to the Provost and Dean of Education, the Executive Director- Operations & Compliance (Child Development Services) provides strategic leadership and comprehensive operational oversight for CCCs Child Development Centers (CDCs). This role oversees grant funding administration and budgeting, procurement processes, professional services contracts, compliance monitoring, and the implementation of regulatory and accreditation requirements across a multi-site program portfolio to ensure safe, compliant, and highquality early learning environments for children and families.

As a collaborative and solutionsoriented leader, the Executive Director provides direction and guidance to CDC Directors to support daily operations, uphold licensing and regulatory standards, ensure adherence to federal and state program requirements, and maintain consistent operational systems across campuses. The position also partners closely with the Executive Director, Curriculum & Instruction to ensure operational decisions, compliance systems, and resource allocations effectively support instructional quality and program goals. The role leads organizational efforts related to risk management, facilities coordination, data reporting, and continuous quality improvement to ensure all centers operate efficiently and in full compliance with applicable policies and mandates, while reducing regulatory, financial, and reputational risk to the institution. Performs related duties as required.

Note: Under a dual (dottedline) reporting structure, Directors of Child Development Centers report directly to a Vice President/Dean at their respective college and have a secondary reporting relationship to the Executive Director- Operations & Compliance (Child Development Services).

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Licensing & Regulatory Compliance

• Serves as the primary liaison with Head Start/Child Care Program grantors, regulatory agencies, and accreditation bodies.
• Provides technical assistance and support during regulatory inspections conducted by OHS, DFSS, and DCFS.
• Prepares required documentation and responds to escalated issues to resolve findings of noncompliance with state licensing standards.
• Ensures full compliance with Chicago Early Learning Standards and all applicable programmatic performance standards.
• Oversees and manages the accreditation renewal process, including preparation, documentation, and site visit readiness.
• Ensures programs maintain accreditation with NAEYC and meets ExceleRate Illinois standards.
• Leads, monitors, and evaluates corrective action plans to ensure sustained compliance and quality assurance.
• Chairs the mandated Program Governance Committee and supports Manager, ERSEA & Family Engagement in governance of the Parent Policy Committee, ensuring oversight of Head Start requirements.
• Ensures policies, procedures, manuals, and handbooks meet compliance standards and regulatory standards prior to distribution.
• Ensures hiring and onboarding processes incorporate regulatory requirements, including credentialing, background checks, and training mandates.

Grant, Fiscal, and Contract Compliance

• Ensures grant proposals, applications, program narratives, and budgets meet all requirements for federal, state, and city-funded early childhood programs (Head Start, Early Head Start, PFA, PI, CACFP, etc.).
• Oversees the approval, submission, and allocation of grant funds to CDCs.
• Ensures fiscal integrity and programmatic compliance to protect and maximize funding continuity.
• Reviews vouchers, spending patterns, and budget status reports to ensure funds are used appropriately and in alignment with grant requirements.
• Oversees procurement functions and ensures all RFPs, bids, and vendor selections comply with procurement regulations.
• Oversees development and approval of professional services contracts, ensuring scopes of work align with compliance expectations.
• Monitors consultants work to ensure adherence to grant requirements and quality standards.

Operational Oversight of Child Development Centers

• Provides leadership in assessing and enhancing Child Development Center operations.
• Partners with college Vice Presidents/Deans and Directors of CDCs to review assessment reports, analyze performance data, and address findings.
• Ensures operational alignment across campuses, including implementation of best practices in program management, early childhood learning, and quality improvement.
• Leads and guides staff in developing and maintaining compliance-focused policies and procedures.
• Reviews and approves policy manuals and handbooks distributed to staff and families.
• Oversees implementation and ongoing monitoring of each centers Risk Management Plan, ensuring proactive identification and mitigation of operational risks; serves as the primary liaison to the Office of Risk Management to coordinate incident reporting, compliance requirements, and corrective actions.
• Ensures operational systems support regulatory compliance, high-quality programming, and consistent implementation across campuses.

Data, Monitoring, and Continuous Improvement

• Leads the annual self-assessment of all Head Start content areas, including data analysis, compliance verification, and followup actions.
• Oversees the community needs assessment every five years (with annual updates), ensuring accurate environmental scanning to inform compliance and planning.
• Reviews monthly reports from CDC Directors and consultants to ensure program standards and requirements are met.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

Reports To                       Senior Advisor to the Provost & Dean of Education

Direct Supervision          Directors-Child Development Centers

QUALIFICATIONS

• Masters degree from an accredited college or university in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Educational Leadership, Public Administration, or a related field.
• Seven years of progressively responsible experience in early childhood program operations, compliance oversight, or administration within child development centers or similar settings.
• Successful completion of required background check and/or fingerprinting through DCFS, DFSS, and CPS.
• Demonstrated expertise in regulatory compliance, including DCFS licensing, Head Start/Early Head Start performance standards, health and safety requirements, and state/federal reporting expectations.
• Proven experience in operational management, including facilities oversight, risk management procedures, emergency preparedness, and implementation of organizational policies across multiple sites.
• Strong background in grant management, fiscal administration, procurement processes, and budgeting for early childhood programs.
• Experience as a Director or operational leader of a Child Development Center or Head Start/Early Head Start program highly desirable.
• In-depth knowledge of state and federal early childhood programs, including Preschool for All, Prevention Initiative, and the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP).
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across diverse teams and stakeholders.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to prioritize multiple projects simultaneously
• Demonstrated ability to lead program quality assurance efforts, including monitoring, auditing, corrective action planning, and continuous improvement processes.
• Ability to work within a culturally diverse, urban educational environment, ensuring equitable access to high-quality services.
• Ability and willingness to travel to CCC campuses.
• Current physical examination required, including up-to-date immunizations, Mantoux TB test, and Hepatitis B screening.
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams)

$104,775 - $115,000

Offered salary will be determined by the applicant’s education, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as other factors such as internal equity.

Benefits information is found at https://www.ccc.edu/departments/Benefits/

WE OFFER: Excellent health and welfare benefit package and long-term savings and investment programs including 403(b) & 457(b) Investment Plans and a pension plan with the State University Retirement System (SURS) Plan. Generous vacation, holiday, personal and sick days, and tuition reimbursement. For a more detailed overview of benefits, please visit the benefits page of our website.

We are an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.

Chicago residency is required for all full-time employees within 6 months of hire.

Thank you for your interest in CCC!