Job no: 506615
Work type: Staff Full Time
Location: Washington D.C.
Department: UMDI - PMFO Head Start
Union: Non-Unit Exempt
Categories: Sponsored Programs, Grants and Contracts

About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

Job Summary

The University of Massachusetts Donahue Institute (UMDI) is a public service, outreach, and economic development unit of the University of Massachusetts, providing government, business, and non-profit organizations with effective solutions in the areas of research, organizational development, training, and technical assistance through its 9 distinct business units. UMDI has a budget of approximately $23 million per year and employs approximately 130 full-time professional employees, and 50 part-time, seasonal, and graduate student employees.

UMDI’s National Center for Program Management and Fiscal Operations (PMFO) business unit, funded through the Federal Office of Head Start (OHS) National Training and Technical Assistance (T/TA) System, works closely with OHS to ensure that all Head Start/Early Head Start (HS/EHS) agencies have access to current, high-quality and evidence-based materials, resources, and T/TA to support program management, leadership, governance and fiscal operations.

The PMFO Governance and Program Management Team Leader will oversee the Program Management and Governance division of PMFO, supervise T/TA Content Specialists, and work closely with other division team leaders and T/TA Content Specialists to deliver T/TA tools and resources that are engaging and innovative in both content and delivery platforms, culturally appropriate, and responsive to HS/EHS programs of all types and delivery models and to personnel (e.g., Regional Office Specialists, Grantee Specialists, Office of Grants, and HS/EHS managers, staff, governing bodies) with varying levels of management and fiscal expertise

Essential Functions

• Responsible for coordinating delivery of the PMFO’s Program Management and Governance T/TA as well as Early Head Start Child Care Partnership T/TA in collaboration with the other divisions (Leadership, Fiscal).
• Provide ongoing supervision and oversight of the Program Management, Governance, and Early Head Start Child Care Partnership T/TA Content Specialists.
• Oversee and monitor the delivery of resource development and provision of Program Management, Governance, and Early Head Start Child Care Partnership T/TA designed to strengthen program management and governance operations of individual HS/EHS programs by coordinating the efforts and expertise of the consortium partners and the graphic design/product development team.
• Assist in planning, creating, and implementing the ongoing T/TA plan, as set forth in the PMFO workplan.
• Participate in oversight and direct delivery of virtual and on-site regional Program Management, Governance, and Early Head Start Child Care Partnership T/TA.
• Support and coordinate the implementation of evaluation activities and ensure that all documentation and reporting is complete.
• Increase effective HS/EHS program operations by ensuring delivery of consistent, comprehensive, high quality T/TA to grantees and the early childhood community, including identifying, disseminating, and supporting implementation of research-informed and/or evidence-based management, governance and fiscal policies and practices through T/TA coordination and collaboration of Program Management and Governance Team and Program Management and Governance T/TA Content Specialists with the Early Head Start Child Care Partnership and Fiscal Teams.
• Work closely with the Fiscal Team Leader, Director, and Assistant Director as well as federal partners to ensure seamless delivery of Program Management, Governance, and Early Head Start Child Care Partnership T/TA.
• Communicate regularly with staff to ensure that they are aware of and are fully implementing PMFO policies and initiatives. Provide other general information that can enhance each employee’s ability to represent, and work effectively, within the Center.
• Support the provision of a solid vision for the future of the Center by providing internal and external leadership on behalf of PMFO.
• Support the implementation of a process for succession planning; effectively managing staff and developing change-management strategies.
• Support the planning and delivery of new programs and initiatives that support the TA Specialists and grantees.

Other Functions

• Participate in regular PMFO and OHS meetings that are held virtually and on-site (national-wide).
• Assist in responding to and coordinating responses for requests for information from OHS, their T/TA systems, States/Territories/Tribes, and other stakeholders.
• Facilitate program management, governance, and Early Head Start Child Care Partnership materials development, identify gaps in current materials, and participate in the dissemination of resources on management, communications, human resources, etc.
• Assist in the preparation of monthly and other reports by providing input on progress indicators and outcomes, as required by federal performance requirements.
• Develop and maintain a working understanding of key University administrative procedures, systems, tools.
• Participate in business unit and UMDI-wide initiatives as required.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Bachelor’s degree in organizational management, education, public administration, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in director/manager roles with HS/EHS, OHS Regional T/TA system, and/or in the early childhood field at various levels, including working at a state level or working with states at a national level on early childhood programs.
• 5+ years providing T/TA to non-profit agency leadership teams and their Boards of Directors.
• Strong knowledge of and experience with Head Start/Early Head Start, child care programs and systems, and/or the Head Start Program Performance Standards at state and local levels.
• Special focus on management experience and expertise.
• Demonstrated ability/experience in the following areas:
• Excellent skills and experience planning, coordinating, and providing individualized technical assistance.
• Excellent public speaking, group facilitation, and writing skills.
• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills; successful experience working with diverse groups.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple responsibilities effectively.
• Ability to work independently as well as in a team structure.
• Effective T/TA skills and knowledge of adult learning, leadership, reflective practice and team processing.

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Master’s degree in organizational management, education, public administration, or a related field.
• Training credentials (such as Family Development Credential or ROMA Trainer).
• 7-10 years of experience in director/manager roles with HS/EHS, OHS Regional T/TA system, and/or in the early childhood field at various levels, including working at a state level or working with states at a national level on early childhood programs.
• 7-10 years providing T/TA to non-profit agency leadership teams and their Boards of Directors.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

• Will be required to maintain a home office, with high speed internet access, sufficiently free of distractions to allow work to be done.
• The employee will be exposed to outside environmental conditions during travel times, with 25% or more time traveling to deliver T/TA and attend meetings throughout the US.
• The physical/mental demands and work environment factors described above are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Work Schedule

Full time professional work schedule consisting of five, eight-hour days and 40 hours each work week. Work performed in addition to the regular work hours, and availability at times outside the normal work schedule may be necessary at specific times, to accommodate variations in client and work demands.

Additional Details

This position is funded by grants and contracts, and is contingent upon funding. This is a full time benefited position. No relocation assistance provided.

The successful candidate must live in the United States, however, the position will be home-based. Ability and flexibility to travel on a frequent basis (25% or more), to deliver T/TA and attend meetings nationwide will be required.

Salary Information

Level 32

Exempt Salary Ranges

Special Instructions to Applicants

Along with your application, please submit a resume, cover letter, and contact information for three professional references by November 3, 2020.

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, or genetic information in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of the UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.

Advertised: Oct 21 2020 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: Nov 3 2020 Eastern Standard Time