Program Director, Early Learning Center at Nurtury – Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts

General Summary:

Responsible for the overall leadership, management, and operations of quality childcare services under the leadership of the Senior Director, Early Learning Centers. Oversee and ensure a safe, high quality, and developmentally appropriate early learning center for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers that complies with all state regulations, while implementing best practices in early childhood education family engagement, staff supervision, and professional development.

Essential Functions:

1. Recruit, hire, onboard, supervise, mentor, and evaluate staff. Provide coaching and professional development aligned with agency standards and best practices.
2. Model positive, inclusive leadership. Maintain open communication across all levels of staff to foster a supportive and collaborative workplace.
3. Ensure compliance with staff/child ratios, EEC mandates, licensing, and accreditation requirements. Manage training and coverage needs.
4. Oversee daily operations including enrollment, scheduling, food program, billing, voucher administration, budget monitoring, facility and classroom needs.
5. Provide orientation and ongoing support for substitutes/volunteers, and program personnel to ensure consistency in quality and expectations.
6. Build a positive, respectful, and inclusive work environment that promotes teamwork, staff well-being, and a nurturing atmosphere for All children.
7. Support curriculum development that reflects inclusive, developmentally appropriate practices. Ensure All children are supported to succeed.
8. Use data systems to guide program planning, curriculum, assessments, and improvement efforts, support program evaluation and goal setting.
9. Build strong partnerships with families; promote communication, conflict resolution, shared decision-making, and family involvement.
10. Partner with the Senior Director of Early Learning, the Early Childhood Team and other internal support staff on curriculum, environment design, training, and programmatic needs.
11. Represent Nurtury to community agencies, local and national conferences to foster Nurtury’s image and to advocate for early care and education.
12. Perform other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, skills and abilities required to perform the essential functions:

• Bachelor's degree required, preferably in early childhood education or related field.
• EEC Director II certification required.
• 3-5 years of relevant experience, ideally as a leader in a center-based program.
• Strong leadership, communication, fiscal and operational management skills.
• Familiarity with EEC licensing standards, NAEYC accreditation standards, and early childhood best practices.
• Experience providing constructive feedback to, and coaching, educators.
• Strong knowledge in human services, particularly in counseling, health, and nutrition.
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office, internet/e-mail.