Lead. Inspire. Elevate Head Start.

Location - In-Office, Sacramento, CA

Employment Type - Full-Time

Salary Range - $91,000-$109,000/annually, negotiable

Start Date - April 2026

Application Review - Rolling

About Region 9 Head Start Association

Region 9 Head Start Association, DBA Head Start WEST, is seeking a mission-driven, strategic, and collaborative Associate Executive Director to help lead one of the most dynamic and influential Head Start associations in the country. This is a high-impact leadership role for someone who thrives at the intersection of operations, strategy, and community partnership—and who wants their work to strengthen children, families, and early childhood professionals across the western region.

As the AED, you will work closely with the Executive Director, Board of Directors, and member programs to shape organizational direction, steward essential services, and elevate the capacity of local programs. This role also supports the organization’s long-term leadership continuity. The AED will work closely with the Executive Director and Board leadership, gaining exposure to executive-level decision-making while strengthening the systems, people, and partnerships that advance our mission. This position is not a guaranteed pathway to the Executive Director role but is designed to build leadership capacity and organizational resilience. The Executive Director transition is planned for December 2026.

About the Role of AED

R9HSA/Head Start WEST connects, strengthens, and advocates for Head Start and early childhood programs across the Western region. Our work supports over 150 programs, their staff, the children and families they serve. The Associate Executive Director plays a central role in ensuring our operations, events, partnerships, and services are strong, responsive, and aligned with member needs—helping to advance lasting impact across our community.

Benefits

· $91,000-$109,000/annually, negotiable

· Relocation support, negotiable

· Annual pay increases

· Annual Leave

· Sick Leave

· Holiday Pay

· Health Insurance Reimbursement

· Supplemental Insurance Options

· Simple IRA Retirement

· A positive work environment

What You’ll Lead

Professional Learning & Member Engagement

Guide the planning and delivery of conferences, events, and trainings that inspire and equip early childhood leaders.
Coordinate event strategy across staff, partners, suppliers, and sponsors.
Collaborate with Board committees to elevate program quality and professional development.
Lead post-event evaluation, reporting, and continuous improvement.
Strengthen membership engagement and expand service offerings in partnership with the Membership Committee.
Integrate association business lines—from communications to the Gear Zone—into cohesive member experiences.
Oversee scholarships and disaster relief donation and distribution efforts.

Communications & Public Presence

Supervise communications staff to deliver engaging content through web, email, social media, and print.
Manage projects with contractors, vendors, and partners to meet deliverables.
Serve as a writer, spokesperson, and ambassador for special initiatives.
Develop and manage communications budgets and reporting.

Strategic Leadership

Partner with the Executive Director to implement the organizational strategic plan and align long- and short-term goals.
Serve as a staff liaison to the Board of Directors and committees.
Cultivate relationships with peer associations, public agencies, and community partners.

Business & Operational Management

Support budgeting, resource management, and financial reporting.
Improve operational systems, processes, and compliance practices.
Supervise and develop staff; foster a collaborative and mission-driven team culture.

What You Bring

Strong leadership instincts with the ability to make informed, mission-aligned decisions.
Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
Financial acumen and analytical strengths.
Exceptional organizational and project management abilities.
Ability to collaborate with diverse stakeholders, from board leaders to community partners.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in business, nonprofit management, education, public administration, or a related field required, master’s preferred.
5 years or more of progressive leadership experience, ideally within a nonprofit, association, or mission-driven setting.

Why You’ll Love Working with Us

Mission-driven culture focused on supporting children, families, and early childhood professionals.
Collaborative leadership environment that values innovation, shared strategy, and professional growth.
Opportunity to influence regional impact and strengthen programs across multiple states.
Varied, dynamic responsibilities—from strategic planning to events to community partnerships.

Final Thought

R9HSA is committed to responsible leadership continuity. This role is designed to strengthen the organization now and ensure we are prepared for future transitions. While the Associate Executive Director gains meaningful executive level experience, any future Executive Director appointment would be determined through a board-led process at that time.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $91,000.00 - $109,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Health savings account
Paid time off
Relocation assistance
Retirement plan

Work Location: In person

Region 9 Head Start Association jobs

Associate Executive Director

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