Center Director, Early Learning

Job Summary

We are seeking Early Education professionals who are passionate about and dedicated to providing children and their families with an excellent educational experience. This opportunity is fantastic for someone who is eager to grow in an environment that values your contributions and communication skills. You will work in a supportive and caring environment with a responsive leadership team and phenomenal resources and materials.

The Center Director, Early Learning provides day-to-day supervision and management of an early education center. They implement safe and quality programming through working directly with employees, participants, and parents. The position is responsible for community relationship, participant engagement, program delivery, curriculum delivery, daily operations, and diversity, inclusion, social justice, and equity culture building for youth programs in conjunction with the Center of Excellence (CoE) and Youth Development Branch Leadership. The Center Director will be comfortable motivating, communicating, and influencing at all levels and in a multitude of environments with a diversity, equity, and inclusion lens.

We are looking to hire full-time, exempt (salary) staff at our Woodinville location and expected hours of work are generally Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand.

To learn more about building brighter futures through Early Education, visit Early Education | YMCA of Greater Seattle | Community Programs Fitness & Youth Development.

What you'll get from working at The Y:

• Membership to the YMCA of Greater Seattle for you and your household
• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life insurance
• Retirement with generous employer contributions
• Free access to mental health resources
• Rapidly accruing paid time off (PTO) available immediately upon hire
• Discounts on qualifying YMCA of Greater Seattle childcare, day camp, overnight camp, and outdoor leadership programs: 25% for part-time staff, 50% for full-time staff

*Some benefits only available to full-time staff

Hiring Range: $85,000 - $90,000 / annually DOE

Responsibilities

What you'll be doing as Center Director, Early Learning:

• Ensure consistent safety and high-quality programs that focus on creating equity and justice for all through youth development best practices and programming models under the guidance of the Youth Development Center of Excellence (CoE). Manage the application or renewal process for Early Achievers and other accreditations as assigned.
• Direct the development and operations of assigned early education center(s), including managing enrollment goals, expansion opportunities, and understanding local market demand through community assessments. Assist in development and distribution of program information to recruit new enrollments. Coordinate tours and tour follow-up for new inquiries.
• Develop and manage the budget(s) related to the position with average budget size of $800K - $2M. Meet fiscal objectives. Closely monitor revenue and expense to meet targets and manage net outcome.
• Provide leadership and direction to assigned staff team by observing, teaching, modeling, coaching, celebrating, and providing overall direction for performance management. Work collaboratively with Human Resources for support and guidance on performance management. Support staff to ensure program schedule is maintained.
• Hire, train, supervise, and evaluate staff and volunteers. Conduct staff meetings and organizes trainings. Maintain required staff/child ratios. Ensure each staff member meets ongoing education and professional development requirements.
• Review and approve all program plans, including lesson, behavior, and event plans.
• Develop collaborative relationships with local YMCA facility, other co-located programs/services, and community organizations as needed to ensure the success and growth of assigned program areas. Responsible for the nurturing of relationships with children, parents/guardians, staff, and other community stakeholders on an on-going basis, including advisory groups, newsletters, and family events.
• Maintain required records according to YMCA and DCYF standards, including attendance records, immunization records, registration information, accident reports, discipline records, and fire evacuation records.
• Follow YMCA policies and procedures, including those related to medical and disciplinary situations, child abuse prevention, and emergency procedures. Professionally communicate as needed confidential and evaluative information with parents/guardians. Report issues of a critical nature in a timely manner with supervisor.
• Ensure safety and upkeep of facilities and equipment. Coordinate with Y facility and/or Landlord facility staff as needed to ensure the site is in compliance with DCYF standards. Responsible for ensuring developmentally appropriate classrooms, including available materials, branded marketing materials, décor/appearance, and cleanliness utilizing the tools and resources for Early Achievers Accreditation.
• Supervise a group of children to ensure their health and safety and to provide for a positive experience for each child as needed. May prepare and serve meals/snacks. Maintain proper certification and training.
• Provide leadership and support for annual fund-raising campaign and volunteer committees/boards as assigned. Participate in Center Director Work Group and act as a lead on Association-wide planning and operations sub-groups.
• Maintain professional relationships with families, facility personnel, and the community. Ensure a positive reputation as a partner with school and responsive to concerns.

Work Environment

This job operates in a licensed childcare center.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use a computer for extended periods of time and be able to communicate using a computer and phone/smart device. The employee frequently is required to sit, reach, and must be able to move around the work environment. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Code of Conduct for Applicants

All employees and volunteers are responsible for adhering to abuse prevention policies, maintaining appropriate boundaries, completing required training, reporting suspicious or inappropriate behavior, and complying with mandated reporting requirements.

Responsible for ensuring staff are properly screened, trained, supervised and held accountable to the organization's abuse risk management standards.

Qualifications

You are 21 years of age or older and have:

• A minimum of 45 college credits in Early Childhood Education (ECE), Child Development, Elementary Education, or equivalent.
• Three years or more of experience working with children kindergarten aged and younger.
• Two years or more of supervisory experience.
• Ability to model and demonstrate Y values: Respect, Responsibility, Honesty, Caring, and Passion for Excellence.
• Current state-approved first-aid certification.*
• Current state-approved infant/child CPR certification.*
• HIV/AIDS training certification.*
• Current Washington State Food Handlers Card.*
• We require pre-employment TB tests and MMR vaccinations. To make this process convenient for our new hires, we offer Concentra options at no cost to you.

*At hire, or earliest possible training (but no later than 90 days after employment).

Preferred Education and Experience

• Knowledge of licensed childcare and experience.
• Knowledge of youth development best practices.
• Knowledge of and previous experience with diverse populations (i.e., language, culture, race, physical ability, sexual orientation, etc.). Ability to speak any language in addition to English may be helpful.

Other combinations of applicable education, training, and lived experience which provide the knowledge, abilities, and skills necessary to perform effectively in the position may be considered.

You'll be a great fit for the Seattle Y if you:

• Thrive on working in a collaborative environment
• Are very adaptable
• Have high ownership and strong work ethic
• Are a great problem solver who can think on your feet
• Truly enjoy being of service to people
• Like being part of a team that cares about one another as people and enjoy working together
• Want to know that the work you do contributes to building a better, stronger community for all