Senior Program Manager (RECE)Permanent, Full-TimeAnnual Salary: $95,000-$110,000Stepping into this Senior Program Manager role means making a meaningful impact during children's formative years while influencing the growth, quality, and strategic direction of a dynamic multi-site organization.
Umbrella Family and Child Centres of Hamilton operates full-day early learning and child care centres for infant, toddler, and preschool children, as well as extended day programs before and after school for kindergarten and school-age children throughout the Greater Hamilton Area.
We are currently recruiting for an experienced, strategic, and pedagogically grounded Senior Program Manager (RECE
) to join our Leadership Team.
As a large multi-site licensed childcare organization operating within HWDSB schools, Umbrella Family is committed to delivering high-quality early learning programs grounded in How Does Learning Happen?, relationship-based practice, and Reggio Emilia-inspired pedagogy.
Reporting to the Senior Director of Childcare Programs, the Senior Program Manager provides elevated operational, pedagogical, and people leadership across multiple child care locations. This role requires a seasoned leader with strong business acumen, strategic thinking, and the ability to lead organizational initiatives, mentor leaders, and ensure excellence in program quality and service delivery.
Key ResponsibilitiesStrategic & Organizational Leadership- Serve as the primary operational backup to the Senior Director of Childcare Programs, ensuring continuity of leadership and decision-making.
- Lead organization-wide initiatives, pilot projects, and strategic change efforts that strengthen program quality, operational efficiency, and organizational readiness.
- Support multi-year operational planning, sector strategies, and organizational priorities.
- Represent Umbrella Family with HWDSB, the Ministry of Education, the College of Early Childhood Educators, and sector committees.
Operational & Program Leadership- Provide leadership, mentorship, coaching, and performance management to Supervisors and program teams across multiple sites.
- Oversee complex operational matters including licensing, compliance, serious occurrences, investigations, and high-risk situations.
- Lead the planning, development, and opening of new child care centres and program expansions.
- Analyze operational needs and implement strategies that support organizational effectiveness, service quality, and continuous improvement.
Pedagogical Leadership- Ensure program quality and pedagogical alignment with How Does Learning Happen?, relationship-based practice, and Reggio-inspired approaches.
- Provide advanced pedagogical guidance to Supervisors and educators, strengthening reflective practice and documentation.
Business & Financial Leadership- Support financial accountability through budgeting, forecasting, enrollment management, occupancy planning, and resource allocation.
- Monitor performance outcomes and indicators of success across programs, identifying variances and implementing corrective actions.
People Leadership & Coaching- Build leadership capacity across the Programs Department through strategic coaching, knowledge sharing, and implementation of best practices.
- Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and learning-focused workplace culture.
- Lead teams through organizational change, growth, and evolving sector expectations.
Partnerships & Community Relations- Build strong relationships with families, school partners, community stakeholders, and internal leadership teams.
- Lead resolution of escalated partnership issues and ensure compliance with sector expectations.
Qualifications- Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE) in good standing with the College of Early Childhood Educators.
- Twelve (12) years of progressive experience in licensed child care, including a minimum of five (5) years in multi-site leadership.
- Demonstrated experience leading organizational-wide initiatives, strategic projects, pilot programs, and change management efforts across multiple locations.
- Proven ability to step into senior leadership responsibilities, including acting as a backup to a Director-level role and supporting organizational decision-making.
- Demonstrated experience opening new childcare centres and/or leading major program expansions.
- Strong business and operational acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, risk management, and strategic planning.
- In-depth knowledge of the CCEYA, CWELCC, How Does Learning Happen?, and responsive, relationship-based pedagogy.
- Advanced leadership skills with a proven ability to coach, mentor, and develop leaders across a large, multi-site organization.
- Demonstrated ability to lead complex investigations, serious occurrences, and high-risk operational situations.
- Experience working within not-for-profit and/or unionized environments is considered an asset.
- Valid driver's license and reliable vehicle required.
- A satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Check and current Standard First Aid/CPR certification are required.
Why Join Umbrella Family?Umbrella Family offers a supportive, collaborative, and values-driven work environment committed to leadership development, diversity, belonging, and continuous learning.
We offer:
- Competitive compensation and benefits package
- Defined Benefit pension plan with employer matching
- Generous paid vacation and sick time
- Employee Assistance Program
- Professional learning, leadership development, and sector-specific training opportunities
