The Opportunity

Cobb is seeking a collaborative, capable, and hands-on Childcare Director to serve as our senior onsite leader. The Director leads a three-person administrative team, works closely with approximately 25 employees, and reports to the Board of Directors.

This is not a desk-only position. The Director should know our children, families, and employees; support teachers; respond to significant staffing, behavioral, family, and operational needs; and step in where strong leadership is needed.

Grant development and management are an important part of this role. Cobb is looking for a leader who will actively pursue grant opportunities that strengthen our existing childcare programs and then reliably manage awarded grants, restricted funds, reporting, deadlines, and funder relationships.

Compensation & Benefits

• $75,000-$90,000 annual salary, depending on experience and qualifications.
• 50% employee tuition discount for eligible child or children within the ages served by Cobb, subject to available enrollment space and Cobb policies.
• $135 monthly health care benefit stipend for marketplace coverage.
• Healthiest You virtual healthcare at no cost for full-time staff and eligible dependents.
• Paid Time Off (PTO) and paid holidays.
• Option to enroll in OregonSaves.
• Ongoing training and professional development.

What You'll Do

• Provide overall onsite leadership for daily operations, employees, children, families, licensing, safety, and organizational health.
• Lead, coach, and develop the administrative and teaching teams while building a positive, professional, and collaborative workplace.
• Support teachers with significant behavioral, emotional-regulation, developmental, safety, classroom, staffing, ratio, and break-coverage needs.
• Oversee hiring, onboarding, scheduling, evaluations, employee development, performance management, and retention.
• Ensure compliance with Oregon childcare licensing and applicable health, safety, employment, and program requirements.
• Oversee enrollment, ERDC administration, facilities, vendors, emergency preparedness, records, and administrative systems through appropriate delegation and cross-training.
• Manage Cobb's Board-approved operating budget; oversee payroll administration and ensure payroll is accurate, timely, and properly coordinated; monitor financial performance; develop the annual fiscal-year budget; and present the proposed budget to the Board for approval.
• Actively identify and pursue grant opportunities that support Cobb's existing childcare programs, workforce, affordability, classroom resources, child supports, and operational sustainability.
• Develop or coordinate grant applications and manage awarded grants, including restricted funding, budgets, deliverables, reporting, deadlines, compliance, and funder communication.
• Provide clear operational and financial reporting to the Board, elevate significant risks, and implement Board-approved policies, priorities, and budgets.
• Build strong relationships with families, funders, community partners, and public agencies that support Cobb's mission.

Minimum Qualifications & What We're Looking For

We are looking for an approachable, steady leader who can move comfortably between people, programs, finances, grants, and the practical demands of a busy childcare center.

Minimum licensing qualification: The successful candidate must meet Oregon requirements to serve as the Director of a certified child care center.

• Leadership or supervisory experience in childcare, early childhood education, education, youth services, nonprofit operations, or a related field.
• Strong communication, organization, judgment, problem-solving, conflict-resolution, and employee-development skills.
• Experience with budgets, financial oversight, and organizational operations.
• Demonstrated experience identifying grant opportunities, developing or coordinating applications, and managing or reporting on awarded grants or restricted funding.
• Must meet Oregon certified child care center Director qualifications. Applicants must qualify through at least Step 9 in the Oregon Registry, or through the alternative pathway requiring BOTH verifiable management/supervision knowledge and child-development knowledge. The alternative pathway may be met through qualifying college credit, training, or documented experience/teaching hours as described in Oregon's Director Qualifications table.
• Ability and willingness to be a visible, hands-on leader for children, families, and employees.
• Preferred: Leadership experience in a licensed childcare or early-learning setting and knowledge of Oregon childcare licensing.
• Preferred: Successful grant-writing experience and experience managing grant-funded programs, restricted funds, budgets, and reporting requirements.

How to Apply

Please submit a resume and cover letter describing your leadership experience, relevant qualifications, grant experience, and interest in Cobb's mission.

Priority application deadline: September 18, 2026. Position open until filled.