Contact Person: Erin Senkowski

Job Location:
Saginaw ISD
3933 Barnard, Saginaw, MI 48603

Job Description:

Executive Director of Early Childhood Apply Online
Category: Administration/Executive Director
Date Posted: 11/13/2025
Location: Saginaw ISD Administration Offices P

OSITION TITLE:              Executive Director of Early Childhood
CLASSIFICATION:            Administrative
DEPARTMENT:                  Early Childhood
REPORTS TO:                   Deputy Superintendent of Instructional Programs
SALARY:                            $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:
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.
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.
Provide oversight to other early childhood-related state and federal grants (i.e., GSQ, MIECHV, HFA & LLG)
Builds and sustains a positive, collaborative culture within the Early Childhood Department that fosters trust, inclusion, accountability, and professional growth.
Provides strategic and operational leadership that meets the developmental, cultural, and linguistic needs of diverse children, families, and communities.
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.
Oversees implementation of research-based curriculum, screening, assessment, and evaluation systems to inform instructional and programmatic decisions.
Ensures that effective systems are in place to support all grant-funded programs, including community needs assessments, subrecipient selection and support, recruitment, family engagement, communication, record-keeping, staff credentialing, and fiscal and program monitoring.
Oversees compliance, licensing, and monitoring processes to ensure adherence to SISD Board policies, Head Start Performance Standards, GSRP requirements, and all state and federal regulations governing early childhood education.
Ensures organizational readiness for federal and state audits, reviews, and on-site assessments.
Leads Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) and Program Self-Assessment processes, incorporating data analysis and stakeholder feedback to inform and sustain ongoing improvement.
Ensures effective management of data systems for program monitoring, outcomes reporting, and informed decision-making.
Develops, monitors, and manages departmental budgets in compliance with SISD, state, and federal fiscal accountability standards.
Ensures appropriate recruitment, selection, supervision, professional development, and performance evaluation of all departmental staff in alignment with SISD policies, contractual agreements, and grant requirements.
Secures technical assistance and consultation to local districts and community partners in areas such as accreditation, curriculum, program evaluation, and school improvement planning for GSRP.
Leads initiatives that promote inclusive practices, family engagement, and successful transitions from early childhood programs to K–12 settings.
Collaborates across SISD departments to align instructional services, special education supports, and family service coordination.
Engages with community agencies, policymakers, and advisory groups to advocate for equitable, high-quality early learning opportunities.
Performs additional duties as assigned by the Deputy Superintendent or Superintendent.

EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP EXPECTATIONS
Act as a systems-level architect, designing structures that promote equity, alignment, and sustainability.
Lead collaborative, cross-departmental efforts that support the SISD strategic priorities.
Facilitate multi-stakeholder workstreams to address complex educational challenges.
Ensure that all programs are intentionally aligned, outcome-driven, and community-informed.
Support cross-divisional teams to address instructional gaps and enhance continuity across the Birth–26 system.

QUALIFICATIONS
Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education or related field required.
Valid Michigan Administrator Certification or the ability to obtain within three years.
Minimum five (5) years of experience in school administration, early childhood programming, or early childhood instruction.
Demonstrated expertise in program management, staff supervision, and compliance with state and federal grants.
Proven ability to lead program design, implementation, and evaluation aligned with strategic priorities.
Strong understanding of early childhood education policy, practice, and accountability systems.
Excellent communication and collaboration skills with diverse partners, including families, community agencies, and constituent districts.
Experience with budget development, fiscal oversight, and data-informed decision-making.
Commitment to advancing the district’s strategic priorities and implementing the organizational Birth–26 vision.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:
Applicants must complete and submit an online Saginaw Intermediate School District application.   Apply online at: https://www.applitrack.com/sisdcc/onlineapp/JobPostings/view.asp?FromAdmin=true&AppliTrackJobId=4554. In addition to the online application, applicants are required to submit electronically a cover letter, resume, and at least three (3) letters of recommendation.  An application may be obtained online by going to the SISD website at www.sisd.cc and clicking on the “Employment” section.

Job ID: 4554
Posted: 11/13/25
Application Deadline:  Open until filled.

“Applicants desiring disability accommodations should contact the Human Resources Department”, “An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action MFH Employer”

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. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies:
Executive Director of Human Resources
Saginaw Intermediate School District
3933 Barnard Road, Saginaw, MI 48603
Telephone: (989) 399-7473, Fax: (989) 249-8756
Email:  personnel@sisd.cc
Web:  www.sisd.cc

Saginaw Intermediate School District uses the applicant tracking system from Frontline Education to manage employment applications online.

Closing Date for Job:  12/18/2025