Operations Manager, Early Childhood

Job Purpose The Early Childhood Operations Manager is responsible for providing leadership for operational and administrative functions that support Early Childhood (EC) initiatives serving families with young children aged 0–5. The Operations Manager oversees daily operations, supports programs, manages budgets and contracts, and coordinates facilities and office functions to ensure environments are safe, efficient, and supportive of program delivery. This role fosters strong relationships with internal teams and external partners, sets operational goals, tracks progress, and ensures that systems, processes, and resources are effectively aligned to support high-quality EC program implementation across multiple sites.   Essential Responsibilities   Administrative Support Lead overall accountability for administrative operations, including workflow development and the consistent execution of administrative functions across EC programs. Establish and oversee administrative systems and processes, ensuring alignment with EC programming and compliance with organizational policies and procedures. Support budget development and oversee administrative expenditures, including processing purchase orders and invoices to ensure timely and accurate financial operations; maintain inventory and submitting required reports as needed. Manage vendor and contractor relationships, ensuring contracts and service agreements meet organizational standards in collaboration with Risk & Compliance and EC teams. Coordinate with IT and internal teams to maintain effective operations, ensure resource availability, and support seamless integration of operations across the organization and program sites. Serve as the liaison between EC teams and internal departments, coordinating and supporting administrative needs such as scheduling, planning, and logistics for meetings, events, and trainings.   Facility Operations Ensure a welcoming, safe, and well-maintained environment by overseeing customer service, front office functions, and the cleanliness and condition of EC program spaces, with particular attention to child-centered environments. Direct and coordinate operational processes to maximize the effective use of workspaces, administrative services, and equipment across EC programs. Collaborate with facilities leaders, support teams, and vendors to maintain buildings, grounds, furnishings, and equipment, including space planning, layout, and upkeep of program areas. Oversee maintenance of office equipment and manage inventory of supplies and fixed assets, including tracking, bi-annual updates, and reporting of asset disposals. Partner with Facilities and Risk & Compliance teams to ensure compliance with all health, safety, building, zoning, and licensing requirements. Coordinate the maintenance and safety of EC vehicles, ensuring regular inspections, repairs, and overall readiness for program use. Program Support Provide leadership and support for early childhood initiatives by identifying opportunities to strengthen operations and integrating effective practices that advance positive outcomes for Native Hawaiian keiki and families. Collaborate with EC teams to assess and meet the operational needs of each program, ensuring efficiency and alignment with program goals. Serve as a liaison with EC teams and Risk & Compliance to support the development, execution, and management of contracts and agreements aligned with program requirements. Partner with EC teams to support risk assessment processes, helping identify and address potential risks while promoting safe, consistent, and family-centered program environments. Coordinate logistical support for program activities and events and work across teams and partners to ensure seamless integration and strong on-site collaborations.   Other Duties: Participates in program planning, budget development, revision, and evaluation.  Participates in continuing education and training opportunities for professional development. Contributes to the Trust’s success by accepting new assignments, helping team members, learning new skills, and striving to improve team and organization results.  Performs other duties as assigned.   Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in business administration, operations management or related field; OR equivalent professional work experience required. 5 years of administrative experience required. 2 years experience working in the early childhood field with parents and young children preferred. Strong management, administrative, organizational and interpersonal skills required. Preferred candidates will be collaborative, adaptable, and willing to take on a variety of tasks as needed to ensure the success of EC initiatives and programs. Ability to work evenings, weekends and occasional holidays as needed. Ability to travel as needed. Valid driver license, clean traffic abstract, and access to a privately owned automobile with valid no-fault insurance.   TB clearance.   First Aid and CPR/AED Certification preferred.   Job Competencies Aloha: awareness and approach to the work with compassion, empathy, and kindness. ‘Imi Na’auao: a constant desire for seeking knowledge; lifelong learner. Po’okele: desire to perform in excellence. Wiwo’ole: maintain a courageous, brave, and fearless mindset. Pono: understand the appropriateness of time, place, reason, people, and tools Kuleana: bring a deep sense of responsibility and accountability. Ability to work flexible hours when nessary, including nights and weekends Collaboration: Ability to interact effectively with youth, community partners, and multi-disciplinary teams. Knowledge of community resources and services Ethical Practice: Model the highest level of ethical behavior, integrity, and social responsibility Uphold and embody all LT values. Communication: Clearly convey and receive information and ideas. Engage the listener and invite response and feedback. Demonstrate strong written, oral, and listening skills. Cultural Competence: Respect and relate well to people from varied backgrounds and sensitive to group differences. Experience working with at-risk youth and ability to apply positive youth development principles to that work. Relationship Management: Experience working with staff at all levels in a collaborative environment; ability to promote and sustain positive workplace values and relationships. Interpersonal Skills: Ability to work well under pressure and to remain calm and controlled when faced with challenging situations.   Organization Competencies Alignment with Queen’s legacy:  Understanding and appreciation of Queen Liliuokalani’s story, her legacy and the Hawaiian Culture is foundational to staff’s commitment to working with our Hawaiian children, families and communities. Demonstrates respect for and appreciation of Hawaiian values history, and culture, understanding its implication in one’s work, in fostering meaningful relationships, and in embracing the community served. Ho`omau i ka `imi Na`auao (Continuous Learning and Improvement): Committed to creating and reinforcing an environment of continuous learning and improvement.  Ho`ike i na Mana`o Pono (Effective Communication):  Communicates with those we serve and each other in a consistent manner that results in mutual understanding, harmony, and action.   No'ono'o loi (Critical Thinking and Problem Solving): Actively and skillfully understands, conceptualizes, applies, analyzes, synthesizes, and/or evaluates information and develops and supports fact-based analyses and recommendations Ho'o kumu a'e  or `Imi hakuhia (Innovation): Identifies and integrates creative ideas into new or existing services and promotes effective problem-solving. Pilina Ho`ohana a me ka Hana Hilina`i (Building Relationships and Creating Trust):  Manages relationships to create optimal opportunities and move the organization forward. Alu Like I ka Hana (Teamwork): Works cooperatively and collaboratively with others throughout the organization in alignment with the organization's objectives. Ho`onui I ka `Ike (Capacity Building): Encourages personal growth by exhibiting trust and a belief in the capacity of others.   Mental and Physical Demands: Perform light physical work, including climbing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, and lifting weight of up to 25 pounds. Exposed to outdoor climate and diverse terrain.   Terms and Conditions of Employment As a condition of employment, employee will be subject to LT’s policies and procedures.   Job Title: Operations Manager, Early Childhood Reports to: Program Director, Early Childhood FLSA Status: FT; Exempt Aligned Executive: Chief Executive Officer Kipuka: Koʻolau Poko Department: Kamalei Support & Healing