James Ruvalcaba
Los Angeles,CA
Summary
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Director-level education and social services leader with 15+ years of experience, beginning at age 16, spanning frontline service through executive program leadership. Brings extensive direct experience serving TK-12 students, adults with disabilities, veterans, and unhoused populations, paired with proven success leading multi-site programs, six-figure budgets ($400K+), staff development, compliance, and strategic growth. Known for building high-performing teams and translating mission-driven goals into scalable, sustainable impact.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director
KIPP Schools
Compton, CA
01.2024 - Current
- Provide strategic leadership for campus-wide Expanded Learning Programs aligned with KIPP SoCal's mission, academic priorities, and ELO-P grant requirements.
- Manage a $400,000 annual budget, overseeing forecasting, staffing allocations, purchasing, and fiscal compliance.
- Design and oversee academic, enrichment, recreation, and SEL programming responsive to student needs and interests.
- Lead, coach, and evaluate full-time and part-time staff, strengthening retention, accountability, and professional growth.
- Partner with school leaders, teachers, families, and regional teams to integrate programming with instructional priorities.
- Oversee daily operations including safety, staffing coverage, dismissal protocols, meals coordination, and field trips.
- Drive enrollment and attendance strategies to meet grant compliance benchmarks.
- Ensure accurate documentation, reporting, and annual program evaluations to support continuous improvement.
Assistant Manager
Work ED
Los Angeles, CA
09.2023 - 12.2024
- Led daily operations across multiple sites, supervising regional coordinators and ensuring compliance and safety.
- Designed and executed quality improvement plans to enhance outcomes and efficiency.
- Developed budgets and startup plans for new programs, supporting sustainable expansion.
- Managed crisis situations and complex personnel matters with discretion and professionalism.
- Built strategic partnerships with schools to deliver customized programming.
Regional Manager
Elevo Learning
San Diego, CA
11.2020 - 06.2023
- Built strong relationships with students, parents, and staff for a supportive environment.
- Spearheaded regional expansion initiatives while fostering strong partnerships with educational stakeholders and implementing innovative learning solutions.
- Led strategic talent acquisition and retention programmes through comprehensive training initiatives, enhancing team performance and operational excellence.
- Orchestrated cross-functional teams to develop standardised policies across multiple states, ensuring consistent educational delivery and quality standards.
- Cultivated enriching learning environments by implementing student-centric approaches and maintaining strong communication with parents and staff.
- Optimised regional operations through data-driven decision-making, resulting in improved student engagement and sustainable business growth.
Recruiter, Supervisor
Inclusion Services
City of Industry, CA
01.2015 - 08.2019
- Led mental health assessments and individualized care planning for adults with disabilities and vulnerable populations.
- Supervised case managers and ensured regulatory compliance.
- Recruited and onboarded staff, improving hiring efficiency and workforce quality.
- Delivered staff training on learning disabilities, behavioral support, and intervention strategies.
- Managed crisis situations and coordinated multidisciplinary care plans.
Education
AA BA - Child Devlopment Communications
Mt San Antonio College
01.2026
Bachelor's degree -
Northern Illinois University
DeKalb, IL01.2026
Skills
- Quality of hire (recruitment metrics)
- Volunteer recruitment
- Teaching
- Integrity
- Teaching problem-solving strategies
- Mentoring
- Experience with individuals with cognitive disabilities
- Community engagement
- Marketing
- Interviewing
- Conference promotions
- Direct support
- Team motivation (leadership skill)
- Full cycle recruiting
- Leadership
- Self-directed learning
- Recruitment and selection
- Christian counseling
- Driving
- Facilities management
- Personnel management in education
- Early childhood education center experience
- Coaching
- Candidate sourcing
- Collaboration with Business Operations
- Interpersonal skills
- Community care (work setting)
- HIPAA
- Decision making
- Child supervision
- Working with people with disabilities
- Outreach events (outreach initiatives)
- Strategic Planning
- Data Analysis
- Crisis Management
- Performance Evaluation
- Event Coordination
- Mentorship
- Customer Service
- Childcare
- First aid
- Experience with children
- Preschool experience
- Management consulting
- Experience with individuals with substance use disorders
- Classroom experience
- Recruiting
- Adults with developmental disabilities
- Team development
- Director experience
- Early childhood education
- Budgeting
- Onboarding process management
- Phone communication
- Experience with individuals with mental health conditions
- Personal development counseling
- Program management
- Budget oversight
- Curriculum development
- Staff leadership
- Data analysis
- Conflict resolution
- Training and evaluation
- Partnership building
- Budget control
- Coaching and mentoring
Certification
- Driver's License, Any valid issuer for CA
- Basic First Aid certificate, Any valid issuer for CA
- CPR Certification
Leadership And Operational Impact
- Lead strategy and execution for multi-site expanded learning and social service programs, from design and launch through evaluation and continuous improvement.
- Manage and steward $400K+ budgets, ensuring fiscal accountability, compliance, and effective resource allocation.
- Supervise, coach, and develop cross-functional teams, driving staff retention, leadership development, and performance excellence.
- Use data to guide decisions around attendance, staffing, compliance, and program quality.
- Maintain high standards for safety, equity, compliance, and student-centered outcomes across all programs.
Timeline
Director
KIPP Schools
01.2024 - Current
Assistant Manager
Work ED
09.2023 - 12.2024
Regional Manager
Elevo Learning
11.2020 - 06.2023
Recruiter, Supervisor
Inclusion Services
01.2015 - 08.2019
AA BA - Child Devlopment Communications
Mt San Antonio College
Bachelor's degree -
Northern Illinois University