CORA's Community Services Division is currently seeking a
Director of Early Learning and Out-of-School Time to lead all YouthCOR out-of-school time (OST) programs and CORA's two licensed Early Years programs. Reporting to the Senior Vice President, Integrated Youth, Family and Community Services, the Director is accountable for program quality, licensing compliance with the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL), fiscal and contract management across all funding streams (OCF OST, School District ASE, Keystone STARS, Philadelphia PreK, and PreK Counts), staff development, and data-informed continuous improvement. The Director represents CORA with funders, city and state agencies, and community stakeholders.
All CORA team members are expected to uphold the mission, vision and values of CORA Services which includes valuing all individuals and supporting each individual's potential for growth.
In addition, as a
Director of Early Learning and Out-of-School Time your duties will include:
LEADERSHIP, OPERATIONS & PARTNERSHIPS:- Provide strategic leadership and operational direction for all YouthCOR OST and early childhood programs, driving innovation, growth, and continuous improvement.
- Supervise and support Managers of OST Programs and early childhood program leadership.
- Establish policies, procedures, handbooks, schedules, and standardized tools that create unified operating standards while respecting the distinct developmental, staffing, and regulatory needs of school-age and early childhood programs.
- Build partnerships with funders, vendors, school districts, community organizations, and early learning partners that strengthen enrollment, transitions, and program quality.
- Serve as primary liaison with Mission Support departments and collaborate with Community Services Division leadership on agency-wide initiatives.
- Communicate program successes, needs, and priorities to stakeholders, including through YouthCOR and CORA Early Years website content and regular internal and external reporting
- Attend and actively participate in Senior Leadership, Supervisory, and stakeholder meetings
PROGRAM QUALITY, COMPLIANCE & DATA:- Ensure high-quality, developmentally appropriate programming with Social Emotional Learning embedded across all sites, aligned with Pennsylvania Early Learning Standards, youth development best practices, and funder expectations.
- Maintain the agency's OCDEL childcare licensure in good standing, including certification, renewal, licensing correspondence, inspections, unannounced visits, and plans of correction.
- Provide coaching on curriculum and program delivery
- Ensure accurate enrollment, attendance, and eligibility records in CitySpan, PHL PreK, PreK Counts, and state reporting systems.
- Monitor program performance and use data to evaluate outcomes, address concerns, and inform strategic planning; prepare quarterly Board reports and annual program reports.
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT & RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT:- Collaborate on budget development and manage budgets across grant-funded, contracted, and fee-based revenue, ensuring cost allocation is accurate, defensible, and auditable.
- Oversee invoicing, purchasing, credit card expenses, and vendor payments, verifying enrollment, attendance, subsidy, STARS, and reimbursement documentation.
- Monitor compliance with all grants and contracts, including Prevention Educator requirements; identify funding opportunities and support grant development.
STAFF LEADERSHIP & DEVELOPMENT:- Foster a positive, collaborative, and inclusive work environment that supports staff engagement and morale.
- Identify training needs, create a robust professional development plan for programs and facilitate implementation of trainings.
- Partner with Human Resources on recruitment, hiring, and onboarding, including hiring fairs and community recruitment events.
EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:- Bachelor's degree in Education, Social Work, Human Services, or a related field required; Master's degree preferred.
- Pennsylvania Director or Supervisory credential preferred, or ability to obtain an administrative credential consistent with OCDEL requirements.
EXPERIENCE:- Minimum of 5-7 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in youth development, out-of-school time, early childhood education, or human services, including managing multiple programs, sites, and staff teams.
- Experience with budget management, grant compliance, staff supervision and coaching, and building community partnerships.
- Direct experience with at least two of the following: Keystone STARS, PHL PreK, or PreK Counts, including compliance, documentation, and reporting; experience leading a Keystone STARS rating or advancement process preferred.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:- Knowledge of youth development principles, OST best practices, early childhood development, Pennsylvania Early Learning Standards, and developmentally appropriate practice.
- Working knowledge of OCDEL child care licensing regulations (ratios, group size, staff qualifications, health and safety, facilities), Keystone STARS quality standards, and Philadelphia PreK and PreK Counts requirements (enrollment, eligibility, staffing, reporting).
- Strong financial management skills, including cost allocation across multiple restricted funding streams.
- Excellent leadership, organizational, project management, and communication skills; ability to manage multiple priorities with attention to detail.
- Ability to use data to drive decisions; proficiency with data management systems, Microsoft Office Suite, and child care and early childhood reporting platforms.
- Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and positive youth development practices.
- Ability to travel among program sites and maintain a valid driver's license.
CORA Offers:- Medical, dental and vision coverages with a competitive company premium contribution (eligible 1st day of the month following date of hire)
- Company paid life/AD&D and LTD coverages
- Supplemental voluntary benefits including STD, accident, critical illness, etc.
- 403b retirement plan with generous company contribution after one year of service
- Paid time off + paid agency holidays
- Employee Assistant Program
- Family Planning Benefits (including cash benefit to assist with IVF, egg freezing, adoption, or surrogacy)
- An outstanding, inclusive work environment
