Center Director in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at Norris Square Civic Association

The Center Director oversees daily operations to meet various educational standards, such as Early Head Start/Head Start, Childcare Licensing, Keystone STARS, PHL-PreK, PreK Counts, NAEYC, and CACFP. They also focus on improving program quality and act as an instructional leader in a dual language program, emphasizing child, family, and community involvement.

Primary Responsibilities/ Tasks:

1. Ensure the efficient operation and full compliance with CACFP, maintaining accuracy and adhering to all relevant regulations.
2. Oversee the effective operation and compliance of all funding streams, including but not limited to Early Head Start, Head Start, PHL Prek, PreK Counts, ELRC, Private Pay and other financial resources.
3. Manage and ensure the effective compliance and operation of the childcare facility in alignment with Childcare Licensing regulation, guaranteeing a safe and nurturing environment for children.
4. Ensuring compliance with accreditation standards such as keystone STARS and NAEYC, working towards and maintaining the highest level of quality and excellence in our programs.
5. Ensure that the center consistently achieves a 90% or higher score on operational and compliance visits both internally and externally.
6. Implement strategies and programs to ensure that all children enrolled meet or exceed established educational outcomes of 85%, promoting their overall development and school readiness.
7. Guarantee 100% full enrollment of all funding streams.
8. Ensure 85% Average Daily Attendance.
9. Ensure 100% of families have an Economic Mobility Plan in place and that 80% are meeting their goals.
10. Lead the effective hiring of staff, aiming for an 85% staff retention rate and monitoring staff attendance to maintain operational staff efficiency.
11. Provide effective supervision of staff to ensure high-quality staff performance and development.
12. Promote and maintain a positive and collaborative work environment, where 80% employees demonstrate high commitment and engagement with the organization.
13. Collaborate in budget development and ensure compliance with the approved budget.
14. Ensure that family engagement activities are actively taking place at the center, including organizing and facilitating training, workshops, monthly meetings and family-oriented activities. Actively recruits families to participate in Parent Center Committee and the Parent Policy Council.
15. Manage incidents professionally and effectively, adhering to safety guidelines and protocols, ensuring the safety and well-being of children, staff, and visitors at the center.
16. Conduct weekly visits to classrooms, providing ongoing support and guidance to teachers and staff.
17. Perform monthly classroom observations to assess program quality, identify areas for improvement, and promote a culture of continuous improvement.
18. Assure effective execution of balance scorecard objectives, milestones, metrics, and initiative assigned to its position.
19. Work with direct reports to produce regular Key Performance Indicators (KPI) Reports to communicate program outcomes in your monthly staff meetings, (Management, teachers, advocates etc.)
20. Complete any other duties assigned by the VP of Education.

Organizational Competencies:

Leadership:

• Takes initiative and is empowered to lead within the position.
• Influences others in a positive way.

Customer Service:

• Complies with the service expectations of internal and external stakeholders (results oriented).
• Assertive communication with others (verbal, not verbal and written)

Productivity:

• Oriented to high efficiency and quality standards.
• Committed to compliance with deadlines with diligence.
• Demonstrates accountability.

Innovation:

• Incorporates technology to day-to-day processes to drive results with efficiency.
• Promotes creative solutions to problems.
• Propose new ideas to improve the processes.

Teamwork:

• Demonstrates the ability to adjust to situations of change in a positive manner.
• Promotes interaction with others based on respect, courtesy, transparent communication, and optimism.
• Values the opinion of others and listen to different perspectives.

Qualifications and Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education or Bachelor's Degree or graduate-level work that includes coursework equivalent to a major in Early Childhood Education. (Official transcripts required to validate educational credentials.)
• Masters degree in Education, Business Administration, Leadership or Non-Profit Management or PA Directors Credential
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience supervising staff and in management of a child care center/ preferably in a comprehensive childcare program.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to converse, read and write Spanish and English (preferred).
• Commitment to dual language learning (English and Spanish).
• Demonstrated ability to implement the use of appropriate curricula and instructional materials to enhance teaching and learning.
• Awareness of Puerto Rican culture/community (preferred).
• Ability to analyze and use data to inform decision-making.
• Intermediate to advanced computer skills, internet, and e-mail.
• Ability to secure clearance for PA Child Abuse, PA Criminal History, FBI, and National Sex Offenders Clearance (required).
• Possess or ability to secure a Driver’s License and insurance (preferred).
• Ability to secure health clearances every two years and TB once (required).
• Proficiency in Excel, Powe point and Microsoft Office, Salesforce.
• Bilingual Spanish/English or another universal language.

Physical Demands:

• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds
• Ability to climb steps.