SAGINAW INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL DISTRICT
Position Title: Executive Director of Early Childhood
Classification: Administrative
Department: Early Childhood
Reports To: Deputy Superintendent of Instructional Programs
Salary Range: $135,344 – $155,802 (based on education and experience)
Summary of Position
Reporting to the Deputy Superintendent of Instructional Programs, the Executive Director of Early Childhood is responsible for executing the vision for early childhood programs serving children from Birth through age 5. The Executive Director provides strategic vision and leadership for all early learning and parenting programs, ensuring alignment with Saginaw ISD’s mission, strategic priorities, and state and federal early childhood requirements.
Within this structure, the Executive Director:
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Serves as the Lead Early Childhood Contact (ECC) for the Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) and as Program Director for Head Start and Early Head Start (HS/EHS) grants.
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Serves as SISD’s administrative liaison to the Head Start Policy Council and ensures all governance, reporting, and communication requirements are met with the SISD Board of Education, Policy Council, and state and federal oversight entities.
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Provides oversight to other early childhood-related state and federal grants (GSQ, MIECHV, HFA, LLG).
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Builds and sustains a positive, collaborative culture within the Early Childhood Department that fosters trust, inclusion, accountability, and professional growth.
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Provides strategic and operational leadership that meets the developmental, cultural, and linguistic needs of diverse children, families, and communities.
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Leads the design, innovation, and evaluation of early childhood programs to strengthen school readiness, expand equitable preschool enrollment, and advance SISD’s mission and strategic direction.
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Oversees implementation of research-based curriculum, screening, assessment, and evaluation systems to inform instructional and programmatic decisions.
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Ensures effective systems are in place to support all grant-funded programs, including community needs assessments, subrecipient support, recruitment, family engagement, communication, staff credentialing, record-keeping, and monitoring.
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Oversees compliance, licensing, and monitoring processes to ensure adherence to SISD Board policies, Head Start Performance Standards, GSRP requirements, and state and federal regulations.
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Ensures organizational readiness for federal and state audits, reviews, and on-site assessments.
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Leads Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) and Program Self-Assessment processes using data and stakeholder feedback.
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Ensures effective data system management for program monitoring, reporting, and decision-making.
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Develops, monitors, and manages departmental budgets in compliance with SISD, state, and federal fiscal accountability standards.
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Ensures appropriate recruitment, supervision, professional development, and evaluation of departmental staff.
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Secures technical assistance and consultation to local districts and partners in areas such as accreditation, curriculum, program evaluation, and school improvement for GSRP.
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Leads initiatives promoting inclusive practices, family engagement, and successful transitions to K–12 settings.
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Collaborates across SISD departments to align instructional services, special education supports, and family service coordination.
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Engages with community agencies and policymakers to advocate for equitable, high-quality early learning opportunities.
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Performs additional duties as assigned by the Deputy Superintendent or Superintendent.
Executive Leadership Expectations
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Act as a systems-level architect, designing structures that promote equity, alignment, and sustainability.
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Lead collaborative, cross-departmental efforts that support SISD strategic priorities.
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Facilitate multi-stakeholder workstreams to address complex educational challenges.
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Ensure all programs are aligned, outcome-driven, and community-informed.
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Support cross-divisional teams to address instructional gaps and enhance continuity across the Birth–26 system.
Qualifications
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Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education or related field required.
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Valid Michigan Administrator Certification or ability to obtain within three years.
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Minimum five (5) years of experience in school administration, early childhood programming, or early childhood instruction.
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Demonstrated expertise in program management, staff supervision, and state/federal grant compliance.
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Proven ability to lead program design, implementation, and evaluation aligned with strategic priorities.
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Strong understanding of early childhood education policy, practice, and accountability systems.
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Excellent communication and collaboration skills with diverse partners.
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Experience with budget development, fiscal oversight, and data-informed decision-making.
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Commitment to advancing SISD’s strategic priorities and Birth–26 vision.
Notice of Nondiscrimination
Saginaw Intermediate School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender and gender identity, disability, age, or national origin in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups.
Executive Director of Human Resources
Saginaw Intermediate School District
3933 Barnard Road
Saginaw, MI 48603
Phone: (989) 399-7473
Fax: (989) 249-8756
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.sisd.cc
