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

Associate Director of Engagement and Economic Mobility

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 05, 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.

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 Development 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 excellencesomeone 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

• 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

Team & Operations Management

Program Stewardship & Impact Monitoring

Qualifications and Skills

Ability to :

Education / Experience / Certification

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