Senior Program Manager (RECE) in Hamilton, Ontario at Umbrella Family and Child Centres of Hamilton

Senior Program Manager (RECE)
Permanent, Full-Time Annual Salary: $95,000–$110,000

Join a team of passionate educators and leaders who are pioneers in their field, contributing to our 35‑year reputation as leaders of high‑quality early learning and child care. At Umbrella Family, you’re not just supported — you’re empowered. You’ll join a collaborative, reflective, and values‑driven organization where your leadership shapes programs, people, and the future of child care across Hamilton.

Stepping 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 Responsibilities
Strategic & 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

Commitment to Accessibility
Umbrella Family is committed to providing accommodations in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Please let us know if you require accommodations during the hiring process.
Recruitment Process Disclosure
This organization does not use artificial intelligence (AI) systems or automated decision‑making technologies in the screening, assessment, or selection of applicants for employment. All applications are evaluated exclusively through a human review process conducted by Human Resources personnel and hiring managers.
This job posting is for an existing vacancy within the organization.