University of Nebraska System

Job Summary:

Program Administrators are leaders within the School as Hub for Early Learning Approach, guiding district partnerships and internal team coordination to support implementation and continuous improvement from birth through Grade 3. They lead strategic action planning, and facilitate systems-level collaboration. By promoting distributed leadership and practitioner-led innovation, they ensure each team member’s strengths are reflected in the work. Their role reinforces the Institute’s commitment to aligned, high-quality early childhood systems.

Additional Info

About Us:

Envisioned as a new model for how public higher education is engaged in the first years of life, the Buffett Early Childhood Institute (https://buffettinstitute.nebraska.edu) is a four-campus, university-wide, multidisciplinary research, education, outreach, and policy institute of the University of Nebraska committed to helping transform early childhood development and education in Nebraska and across the nation. The long-term goal of the Institute is to be a leading center where scholars, practitioners, community members, and policymakers collaborate to advance a unified approach that can improve the lives of young children and families and the systems that support them.

Applicants should note that the goals of the Institute are university-, state-, and nation-wide, but the location of the Institute administration is in Omaha. This position will work primarily out of the Omaha office.

NU employees enjoy a flexible benefits program allowing you to customize your benefits to suit your personal needs; paid vacation and sick leave in addition to 13 paid holidays; access to career-advancing educational programs, including an employee and dependent tuition benefit applicable at any of the NU campuses; and immediate vesting pre-tax retirement benefits.  To learn more about the University of Nebraska visit: https://nebraska.edu/   & to learn about our benefits visit: https://nebraska.edu/faculty-and-staff.

Required Qualifications:

Master's degree and 5 years of demonstrated experience leading school improvement or program initiatives as a public-school administrator or educational leader at the school and/or district level, preferably in more than one setting or district.

Demonstrated success supervising, mentoring, and coaching educators, including teachers, specialists, or administrators.

Proven ability to lead collaboration across district systems, agencies, and internal cross-functional teams.

Demonstrated excellent written and oral communication skills with attention to detail.

Equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.

Preferred Qualifications:

Bilingual

Experience working across multiple early childhood settings (districts, Head Start, child care, etc.).

Proficiency with data systems and project management tools (e.g., SharePoint, Microsoft Teams, Monday.com) used for implementation tracking, reporting, and continuous improvement.

The ideal candidates will demonstrate strategic and collaborative leadership with a strong record of influencing student outcomes and advancing early childhood systems change across various communities. They will have extensive experience coaching and supervising educators across multiple settings—such as public schools, Head Start, and child care—and bring deep knowledge of research-based instructional, leadership, and family engagement practices from birth through 3rd Grade. Candidates will be well-versed in state and district programming that impacts young children and families and demonstrate a commitment to responsive, developmentally informed approaches. They will thrive in cross-functional environments, navigate complex systems with agility, and build strong relationships with a wide range of partners. With a passion for continuous learning and reflective practice, the ideal candidates will be committed to promoting opportunities, strengthening implementation fidelity, and sustaining high-quality early childhood systems through collaborative leadership.

Additional Information:

Along with application, please be sure to attach a resume and a cover letter or your applicaiton may be considered incomplete and you will be disqualified. 

Compliance Requirements:

Background Check