Associate Director of Engagement and Economic Mobility (San Diego County)

Job Description

Job Description

Salary range : $100,000 - $130,000 DOQ / E

MAAC STORY

Since 1965, MAAC has empowered individuals and families across San Diego County to achieve self-sufficiency and economic stability through high-impact programs and advocacy. With a focus on community advancement, MAAC delivers services in five core areas : Education, Economic Development, Health & Wellbeing, Housing, and Advocacy & Leadership Development. These integrated efforts strengthen communities and foster lasting change.

The Associate Director of Engagement and Economic Mobility plays a key role in managing regional grants, including MAAC’s comprehensive, federally funded school-readiness programs such as Head Start. Serving a diverse population of low-income children and families throughout San Diego County, these programs provide holistic services that support optimal physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development for children ages 0–5, while also advancing education, civic engagement, and economic mobility for parents and caregivers.

Within these grants, the Associate Director leads the development of robust family and community engagement strategies, cultivates cross-sector partnerships, and ensures alignment with Head Start governance standards to enhance economic mobility for MAAC participants and their families.

DEFINITION

The Associate Director of Engagement and Economic Mobility provides strategic and operational leadership to advance MAAC’s economic mobility initiatives within a designated region of San Diego County. Reporting to the Director of Economic Mobility and working closely with Child Develpment Leadership, this role ensures programs are effectively implemented, meet funder requirements, and deliver measurable outcomes that support individuals and families in achieving greater stability and opportunity.

This position is ideal for a systems-oriented leader who is committed to collaboration across departments, community impact, and who excels in program management, compliance, and team development. The Associate Director oversees regional operations, family and community engagement efforts, launches new grants and initiatives, strengthens processes to improve efficiency, and ensures systems and workflows are aligned for smooth program delivery.

The ideal candidate brings a thoughtful balance of strategic vision and operational excellence—someone who can lead teams, manage complex reporting, budgets, and implement processes and procedures.  This role is highly visible in the community and will enhance how the MAAC Child Development Program serves the community.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Leadership & Strategy

Support Head Start’s family and community engagement efforts by implementing regional initiatives that promote family self-sufficiency and economic mobility, including community resource navigation, workforce development, financial literacy, and access to educational and apprenticeship opportunities.

Collaborate with internal teams to set measurable goals, performance standards, and systems for continuous improvement.

Supervise and mentor direct reports, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and innovation.

Drive process improvements to streamline workflows and enhance participant experience.

Contribute to strategic planning and operational improvements that advance MAAC’s long-term vision for early childhood education and economic mobility.

Family & Community Engagement

Cultivate strategic partnerships with educational institutions, workforce boards, community organizations, and employers to expand access to services.

Lead governance efforts for the Child Development Parent Policy Council, including organizing and facilitating regular meetings and training sessions.

Coordinate with MAAC’s Family Engagement (FE) and Family Service Advocates (FSA) to connect families with external community resources.

Build relationships with early education programs and providers to support diverse family needs.

Represent MAAC in collaborative meetings, regional coalitions, and planning efforts focused on school readiness, transitions, and elevating organizational visibility and influence.

Support the coordination of events, workshops, and committees that foster community engagement and help strengthen relationships with families.

Oversee regular food, clothing and / or diaper distribution programs to support family well-being.

Team & Operations Management

Ensure effective use of systems and technology to support program delivery, documentation, and data integrity.

Support budget planning and monitoring to ensure fiscal responsibility and alignment with program goals.

Hire, coach, and evaluate staff, volunteers, and interns to support professional growth and high performance.

Use data and trends to inform decision-making and enhance program service delivery.

Analyze family data to support professional development activities for groups of up to 100 participants.

Lead volunteer engagement strategies to increase community involvement and program capacity.

Implement new systems and cross-departmental processes to improve efficiency and impact.

Program Stewardship & Impact Monitoring

Ensure compliance with federal, state, and private funder requirements, including documentation, reporting, and performance standards.

Lead the development and implementation of the Office of Head Start Program Self-Assessment Plan.

Represent the department in agency meetings, task forces, and strategic planning sessions, ensuring alignment with Head Start Program Performance Standards.

Provide training and technical assistance to staff on compliance, data collection, and operational procedures.

Monitor key performance indicators and produce impact reports to communicate outcomes and identify areas for improvement.

Partner with the Philanthropy team to identify funding needs and contribute to grant proposals that strengthen family and community engagement efforts and expand economic mobility programs.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

Knowledge of :

Economic development and mobility strategies, including community resource navigation, workforce development, financial literacy and support programs

Grant management, program launches, and operational readiness strategies

Process improvement methodologies and systems optimization

Volunteer management best practices

Federal, state, and private funding compliance requirements, including Head Start Performance Standards where applicable.

Budget planning, financial monitoring, and in-kind tracking

Community partnership development and stakeholder engagement

Leadership principles and staff supervision best practices

Ability to :

Lead and manage teams to achieve program goals and deliver measurable outcomes.

Facilitate participant engagement councils and community meetings that meet funder requirements and promote participant engagement and participation.

Communicate effectively with diverse audiences, including funders, community partners, staff, and participants.

Analyze data to inform decision-making and report on program outcomes

Navigate complex regulatory environments and ensure program compliance.

Launch new grants and implement efficient processes that scale impact

• Foster inclusive, culturally responsive service delivery.
• Manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE / CERTIFICATION

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Social Sciences, Human Development, or a related field required.

Master’s degree in Leadership, Public Policy, Business, Program Administration, or related field preferred.

Minimum of three (3) years of program management experience, including at least two (2) years supervising staff.

Experience in nonprofit, workforce development, economic mobility, community engagement, or volunteer coordination preferred.

Bilingual (English / Spanish) strongly preferred.

VALUE-BASED BEHAVIORS

Listens attentively to others. Asks clarifying questions to gain a better understanding of the other person’s views and underlying assumptions

Works effectively in a team environment and actively participates in joint problem solving; willingly cooperates with co-workers

Identifies and takes advantage of opportunities for personal and professional development

Attends work consistently and punctually. Arrives to meetings prepared and on time; honors work commitments; follows through on what was agreed upon; meets deadlines

Honors the private and confidential matters of co-workers. Protects the proprietary information of MAAC systems

Follows rules, regulations, and policies; positively contributes to implementing changes

Deals with issues directly, in a respectful and timely manner. Focuses on resolving the issue while not criticizing the person. Follows rules, regulations, and policies; positively contributes to implementing changes

HEALTH STATUS

Must have a physical examination, TB clearance and a drug screen by a doctor / clinic designated by MAAC as well as immunization records for influenza

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this class, an employee is regularly required to stand, walk and sit, talk or hear both in person and by telephone, uses hands to finger, handle or feel objects or controls, reach with hands and arms. An employee also is regularly required to stoop, kneel, bend, crouch or crawl, climb or balance and lift up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, color vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Mental Demands

While performing the duties of this class, the employee is regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret information; analyze and solve problems; observe and interpret people and situations; use basic math; learn and apply new information or skills; work under intensive deadlines and interact with MAAC management, administrators, staff, teachers, parents, family members, children and others encountered in the course of work.

BACKGROUND CLEARANCE

All positions are subject to a background / education check, DMV check, NSOR, exclusion and debarment checks prior to hire and periodically throughout employment as required by various funding sources.

Note : California Start law requires background criminal checks on anyone who works in a licensed childcare facility who is not a client. Must have or obtain a current criminal background check clearance, signed criminal record statement, and signed Acknowledgement to Report Child Abuse form prior to the first day of employment.

TRANSPORTATION

Must have and maintain a valid California Driver’s License, daily use of a personal, insured vehicle, and have and maintain a motor vehicle driving record acceptable to MAAC’s insurance carrier. Incumbents will be enrolled in the California DMV Pull Program.

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