Senior Director of Early Childhood Education - Central Office

POSITION OVERVIEW: Senior Director of Early Childhood Education - Central Office
Portland Public Schools seeks a seasoned and visionary leader to serve as Senior Director of Early Childhood Education, working alongside district and school-based team members in implementing our new five-year strategic plan. The Senior Director will lead the development and implementation of strategy, programming, and services for three- to five-year-olds in Portland and will direct efforts to prepare children and families for successful transitions into pre-K and Kindergarten. This includes leading the planning and implementation of a strategy for providing special education services to all three- to five-year-olds in Portland, beginning with the screening of two-year-olds, assuming responsibility from Maine Child Development Services in accordance with State laws and rules. The Senior Director will also support the Pre-K Director in leading the district’s public pre-K program, ensuring that appropriate strategies, systems, and supports are in place to run a smooth and transparent lottery and enrollment process, deliver high-quality instruction across all classrooms, help administrators in every school build the knowledge and skills they need to provide instructional leadership to Pre-K classrooms, managing implementing partnerships, and effectively identifying and providing services to students requiring special education or other support.

The ideal Senior Director candidate has significant expertise in early childhood education and special education, with a demonstrated track record of building coalitions to design and deliver on high-profile, high-impact strategic initiatives. They have experience in the Pre-K to 12 education setting and a deep commitment to ensuring that all children have the opportunities and support they need to learn, grow, and thrive in school and beyond. This person also understands the central importance of families and community partners in shaping young children’s development and demonstrates a commitment to engaging both in the planning and implementation of early childhood programming, in general, and special education processes and services, in particular. This candidate also has demonstrated success working in culturally and linguistically diverse settings.
CORE COMPETENCIES RESPONSIBILITIES:

• In close collaboration with district leaders, the State and City, neighboring school districts, community partners, families, and other key stakeholders, leads the development and implementation of the district’s strategy for screening, identifying, and providing special education and other services to three- to five-year-olds, beginning with screening at age two (assuming responsibility from Maine’s Child Development Services)
• Works closely with the Senior Director of Special Education and Student Support and their team to ensure that all early childhood strategies and programs are designed and implemented in ways that are consistent with the district’s broader strategies and guidance related to special education and in accordance with all applicable federal and State laws and School Board policy
• In consultation with district leaders, the Pre-K Director, families, and community partners, guides the development and implementation of pre-K strategies and programming, including: decisions about the location of Pre-K classrooms, curriculum selection, the development and delivery of relevant and high-quality professional development, monitoring and coaching in support of strong instructional practices, redesign and clear communication of enrollment processes, consistent family engagement, and strong transition processes for children entering Pre-K and Kindergarten
• Provides thought leadership around the role of the district and schools in helping to build a strong community-wide ecosystem that supports the healthy development, learning, and school readiness of all children in Portland
• Works closely with the Family and Community Partnerships and Communications teams, schools, and community organizations to develop a plan for engaging families as partners in early childhood learning
• Regularly reviews relevant data, including key student outcomes, and adapts strategies and implementation plans in support of continuous improvement

• Leads the development and management of the Early Childhood Office budget, continuously monitoring and adhering to the approved budget; oversees billing and reimbursements from Child Development Services
• Holds team accountable for following district procurement and financial management procedures
• Applies for and oversees the management of early childhood grants, where relevant; works with finance team to coordinate on-time delivery of financial reports that meet grant requirements
• Monitors effort reporting for all team members and approves timecards on time and in accordance with requirements provided by the finance team

• Builds the early childhood team, individually and as a whole, with a focus on supporting each person’s growth while also developing a highly effective team
• Conducts regular one-to-one and team meetings to build relationships, coach, coordinate, and move work
• Sets clear expectations and goals with each direct report and the team as a whole and holds people accountable for meeting expectations, providing support, when needed
• Conducts regular performance reviews with each direct report in line with guidance from Human Resources

• Builds strong relationships and forges strategic partnerships with State and City agencies, other school districts, child care providers, community-based organizations, health care institutions, and other organizations that operate within or in proximity to the early childhood development space.
• Represents the district’s work on early childhood education through engaging presentations for the School Board, and with schools, families, and the public.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Strategic vision and critical thinking skills
• Demonstrated success in leading consultative strategy development processes
• Systems-thinker with the capacity to hold the big picture while managing the small details that ensure strong implementation
• Demonstrated project planning and management skills
• Demonstrated team leadership skills
• Outstanding relationship-building capacity
• Track record of working collaboratively with staff at all levels to build consensus while also delivering exceptional results
• Experience working in diverse settings, a commitment to building and acting on self, interpersonal, and cultural awareness
• Knowledge of evidence-based practices in early childhood learning and development
• Knowledge of special education law, programming, and services
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, proficient computer skills, and strong time management skills
• Experience using data and evidenced-based practices to design, monitor, and continuously improve programming

• At least 10 years of leadership experience, including at least five years of experience in early childhood education and/or special education
• Master's Degree in Education or a related field required

CREDENTIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Maine State fingerprint (CHRC) authorization (more info)

• Year-round position, starts July 1, 2025
• Permanent
• Full-Time, 1.0 FTE
• Non-represented
• Salary range: $130,000 to $145,000 depending on experience
• Reports to: Chief of Strategy and Operations
• Direct reports: Director of Pre-K Education, Pre-K Special Education Teacher Leader, and Early Childhood Coordinator

The Portland Public School (PPS) District serves approximately 6,500 students in 17 schools in grades pre-K through 12, about one-third of whom come from homes where a language other than English is spoken – for a total of more than 50 languages. The District serves an additional 2,000 students through Portland Adult Education. As the largest and most diverse school system in Maine, the mission of Portland Public Schools is to ensure a challenging, relevant, and joyful education that empowers every learner to make a difference in the world.