Senior Director Of Early Care & Education
YMCA of Greater ErieErie, PA
$54,913 - $68,641 / year
The YMCA of Greater Erie is seeking a dynamic and mission-driven Senior Director of Early Care & Education to provide strategic and operational leadership for Early Care and Education programs across the Association. This role ensures high-quality, safe, and fully compliant programming aligned with YMCA values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility. The Senior Director oversees licensing and regulatory compliance, program quality, enrollment management, fiscal oversight, and grant administration, while driving continuous improvement and innovation across multiple childcare sites. This is a Salaried, Exempt position paying $54,913 - $68,641/year , depending on experience. Some of the benefits that we offer, depending on your position and schedule, include health & dental insurance, disability and life insurance, a funded retirement plan, paid holidays, paid time off (PTO), a free YMCA membership, discounted program fees including childcare, and a flexible work schedule . If this sounds like the right opportunity for you to use and expand your skills, apply today! The ideal candidate is an experienced early childhood leader with strong knowledge of Pennsylvania licensing regulations, staff supervision, budgeting, and curriculum implementation. This position leads and develops Child Care Directors, builds strong partnerships with families and community stakeholders, and ensures operational excellence and sustainability. If you are passionate about youth development and committed to strengthening communities through high-quality early learning, we invite you to join our leadership team. POSITION SUMMARY: The Senior Director of Early Care & Education provides strategic and operational leadership for Early Care and Education across the Association. This role ensures high-quality, safe, and compliant programming that aligns with YMCA values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility. The Senior Director leads program innovation, staff development, fiscal management, and community partnerships while ensuring full compliance with Pennsylvania licensing and regulatory requirements. This position supports the work of the Y, a leading nonprofit committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. OUR CULTURE: Our mission and core values are brought to life by our culture. In the Y, we strive to live our cause of strengthening communities with purpose and intentionality every day. We are welcoming: we are open to all. We are a place where you can belong and become. We are genuine: we value you and embrace your individuality. We are hopeful: we believe in you and your potential to become a catalyst in the world. We are nurturing: we support you in your journey to develop your full potential. We are determined: above all else, we are on a relentless quest to make our community stronger, beginning with you. Essential Functions: 1. Compliance, Licensing & Risk Management • a. Ensure ongoing compliance and licensure of all assigned program sites in accordance with Pennsylvania Department of Human Services regulations.• b. Monitor and support compliance with Keystone STARS participation requirements and Pennsylvania child care licensing standards and regulations.• c. Oversee required physical inspections, life safety standards, child and staff records, and all compliance documentation.• d. Maintain accurate, current, and confidential staff certification records, personnel files, and compliance documentation.• e. Stay informed of regulatory requirements related to assigned locations and other assigned child care initiatives, and collaborate closely with program leadership to ensure compliance.• f. Develop, implement, and oversee emergency preparedness procedures, including drills and crisis response protocols across all program locations.• g. Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations, including ADA accommodations, safety standards, and YMCA program standards. 2. Program Oversight & Quality Assurance • a. Provide strategic leadership and oversight for Early Care (Infant) and Education Programs, including grant-funded initiatives such as Pre-k counts and other assigned child care programs.• b. Ensure effective program planning, implementation, and monitoring, including the use of approved early learning curriculum.• c. Oversee effective space utilization and operational practices to support high-quality learning environments that support strong school readiness and family engagement outcomes.• d. Evaluate program effectiveness using feedback from staff, families, children, and school partners.• e. Oversee outcome measurement, data collection, and continuous quality improvement efforts.• f. Ensure program environments, facilities, and equipment support healthy living and high-quality early learning experiences.• g. Ensure the Y's strategic priorities, policies, and procedures are consistently embedded across all early childhood education operations and aligned with YMCA culture. 3. Leadership, Supervision & Staff Development • a. Hire, supervise, coach, and evaluate Child Care Directors through regular site visits, observations, and performance reviews.• b. Provide leadership and guidance to directors related to program operations, curriculum implementation, enrollment management, and emergency preparedness.• c. Support staff growth through ongoing professional development, coaching, and performance evaluations to promote staff growth and retention.• d. Develop and coordinate program staffing plans and schedules to meet enrollment and operational needs.• e. Coordinate and support required trainings to ensure compliance and continuous professional growth. 4. Family Engagement, Partnerships & Community Relations • a. Establish and maintain collaborative partnerships with schools and school districts.• b. Develop and maintain positive relationships with state child care licensing agencies, parent groups, and community organizations.• c. Respond to agency, parent, and community inquiries and concerns in a timely, professional and solution-focused manner.• d. Facilitate meetings with families as needed to support positive relationships and program success.• e. Assist in marketing efforts and distribution of program information to promote enrollment and community awareness.• f. Organize and support special events and engagement opportunities for families as assigned. 5. Enrollment, Registration & Capacity Planning a. Provide oversight and guidance related to enrollment management across Early Care and Education programs. b. Monitor enrollment trends, capacity, and utilization to support staffing, space planning, and program sustainability.. c. Collaborate with Enrollment specialist and program leadership to align enrollment goals with operational and regulatory requirements to maintain high-quality program delivery. 6. Financial Management & Resource Development • a. In collaboration with senior leadership, develop, manage, monitor, and report on operating budgets for assigned programs.• b. Administer and ensure accurate, timely, and compliant reporting for all child care-related grants, including Pre-K Counts and Child Care Food Program reimbursements.• c. Provide leadership and support to ensure compliance with government and private foundation grant requirements.• d. Support YMCA fundraising efforts, including the annual campaign and special events, as assigned. 7. Other • a. Ensure upkeep of assigned program facilities and equipment and maintain environments that support safety.• b. Participate in Quality Circle meetings, branch staff meetings, committee meetings and association meetings as assigned.• c. Compile program statistics and monitor participation and effectiveness.• d. Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned. QUALIFICATIONS: • 1. Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field required; Master's degree preferred.• 2. Minimum of five (5) years of progressive leadership experience in early childhood education or a related field.• 3. Demonstrated knowledge of Pennsylvania child care licensing regulations and compliance requirements.• 4. Experience with and knowledge of Pre-K Counts preferred.• 5. Proven experience in staff supervision, budgeting, and program management.• 6. Strong understanding of early childhood pedagogy and applicable regulatory standards.• 7. Excellent communication, organizational, and leadership skills.• 8. Proficiency in ProCare or a similar child care management system preferred.• 9. Minimum age requirements of 21.• 10. Typical requirements within 30 days of hire include completion of: Child Abuse Prevention for Supervisory Staff; Working with Program Volunteers; CPR; First Aid; AED; Bloodborne Pathogens.• 11. Fulfillment of state-specific hiring standards (if any) and completion of YMCA program specific certifications (list).• 12. Ability to relate effectively to diverse groups of people from all social and economic segments of the community.• 13. Understands the YMCA is a public accommodation committed to inclusion and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).• 14. Must have advanced computer skills.• 15. Typical requirements within 30 days of hire include completion of: Child Abuse Prevention for Supervisory Staff; Working with Program Volunteers; CPR; First Aid; AED; Bloodborne Pathogens.• 16. Fulfillment of state-specific hiring standards (if any) and completion of YMCA program specific certifications (list).• 17. Pre-employment drug testing to be administered prior to employment. YMCA COMPETENCIES (Team Leader): Mission Advancement: Models and teaches the Ys values. Ensures a high level of service with a commitment to changing lives. Provides volunteers with orientation, training, development, and recognition. Cultivates relationships to support fund-raising. Collaboration: Champions inclusion activities, strategies, and initiatives. Builds relationships to create small communities. Empathetically listens and communicates for understanding when negotiating and dealing with conflict. Effectively tailors' communications to the appropriate audience. Provides staff with feedback, coaching, guidance, respect and support. Operational Effectiveness: Provides others with frameworks for making decisions. Conducts prototypes to support the launching of programs and activities. Develops plans and manages best practices through engagement of team. Effectively creates and manages budgets. Holds staff accountable for high-quality results using a formal process to measure progress. Personal Growth: Shares new insights. Facilitates change; models adaptability and an awareness of the impact of change. Utilizes non-threatening methods to address sensitive issues and inappropriate behavior or performance. Has the functional and technical knowledge and skills required to perform well; uses best practices and demonstrates up-to-date knowledge and skills in technology WORK ENVIRONMENT & 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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. • 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 is frequently required to sit, reach, crouch, kneel, stoop, crawl, walk, stand and spend time on the floor.• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 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.• Evening and weekend hours may be required for attending and/or conducting events, meetings conferences, workshops and events. ABOUT YMCA OF GREATER ERIE We are a nonprofit organization with a focus on healthy living, social responsibility, and youth development. Our cause is to strengthen the community. We serve a diverse population of men, women, and children with an emphasis on families. Our membership is 21 million strong and spread across more than 2,600 Y associations nationwide. Here, locally, our four membership branches, outdoor recreation center, nine early and school-age education program centers, and community outreach programs serve more than 35,000. We value our people. Working for us means you'll enjoy a great work-life balance and be treated with respect . We offer competitive wages and benefit packages for full and part-time employees . We truly believe that the YMCA is for all people, and that shows in our staffing. Here, you will be able to put your experiences, abilities, and energy to work as you impact the lives of those around you . Job Posted by ApplicantPro
Posted 4 days ago