Program Director - Term Position

Socket.dev; Edmonton; On-site; CAD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The YMCA of Northern Alberta seeks a Director to lead a Child Care Centre, delivering high-quality, developmentally appropriate programming for children, families, and staff. You will oversee budgeting, staffing, regulatory compliance, curriculum, and community engagement while fostering a positive culture and professional growth.

This is a term contract ending Oct 25, 2027. Responsibilities include coaching educators, supervising staff, ensuring safety, managing finances, and building strong

Qualifications

• Level 2 or 3 Child Care Certification required.
• Intermediate First Aid and CPR – C certification required.
• Ability to obtain a Police Information Check with Vulnerable sector check.
• Leadership experience in a Child Care program.
• Strong teamwork and organizational skills; self-motivated and able to work with minimal supervision.

Responsibilities

• Provide operational direction and oversight for the child care program operations.
• Coach and support educators through role modeling and ensuring curriculum standards.
• Train, supervise, and performance manage child care staff.
• Promote professional development and training for team members.
• Lead community outings and field trips.
• Ensure safety by following YMCA policies and provincial regulations.
• Implement curriculum to support development of each child in a safe, inclusive environment.
• Manage budgets, financial planning, and resource allocation.
• Build strong relationships with families.
• Support philanthropy activities to advance association objectives.

Skills

Leadership experience

Teamwork

Organizational skills

Time management

Education

Level 2 or 3 Child Care Certification

First Aid and CPR – C

Tools

Microsoft Office Applications

Job description

Be the Spark that ignites the potential in people! At our YMCA, we believe in the power of people. Every day, our dedicated employees and volunteers bring energy, positivity, and inclusivity to everything they do. They are the spark that ignites potential in others—helping individuals grow, thrive, and truly belong.

When people feel connected and supported, communities become stronger, more resilient, and full of life. That’s the impact of people-powered change. Together, we create welcoming spaces where everyone is valued, differences are celebrated, and possibilities are endless. Be the spark. Shine bright. Help others shine too.

About the Role:

This position is responsible for the operational leadership and management of a specific Child Care Centre. This role ensures the delivery of high-quality, developmentally appropriate programming that meets the needs of children, families, and staff. The Director oversees budgeting, staffing, regulatory compliance, curriculum implementation, and community engagement. As a key leader, the Director fosters a positive organizational culture, promotes professional development, and drives continuous improvement to support the growth and success of the program.

This is a term position with a defined end date of October 25, 2027.

Responsibilities:

• Provide operational direction and oversight for the child care program operations.
• Coach and support educators through role modeling, upholding curriculum standards, and fostering an inclusive environment so they can meet expectations outlined in their job descriptions.
• Trains, supervises, and performance manages child care staff.
• Promote and facilitate team members continuous professional development and training to enhance skills and knowledge in the field of Child Care.
• Act as leadership to support community outings and field trips.
• Maintains a safe and supportive environment by following YMCA policies/procedures and Provincial Licensing and Health regulation.
• Implements approved curriculum designed to promote the social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development of each child, fostering a safe, inclusive, and stimulating environment.
• Manage budgets, financial planning, and resource allocation.
• Build strong relationships with families.
• Demonstrates a commitment to philanthropy activities to advance association objectives and foster greater engagement among members and participants.
• Work in ratio as an Educator and support other programs as required.

Qualifications:

• Level 2 or 3 Child Care Certification.
• Intermediate (Standard) First Aid and CPR – C.
• Able to obtain a Police Information Check with Vulnerable sector check.
• Leadership experience in a Child Care program.
• Ability to work in a team and with minimal supervision.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Experience working with a tablet and computer using Microsoft Office Applications.

Why work for the YMCA?

The YMCA of Northern Alberta is a charity that ignites the potential in people, helping them grow, lead, and give back to their communities. We are committed to helping our employees and volunteers reach their full potential and are recognized as a great place to work and volunteer. We offer meaningful opportunities to make a difference in the lives of individuals and the health of our communities.

Joining the Y

Joining the Y means contributing to over 100 years of providing opportunities for people to shine! Our Y serves tens of thousands of people each year through programs and services like health and fitness, licensed child care, day camps, mental health, employment and immigrant services, education and training, and services for youth, families and seniors.

Our Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion:

Inclusion has power, and we take strides to create a diverse, inclusive workplace where everyone can belong. Diverse teams unleash new ideas, and employees thrive in a culture that recognizes and appreciates the unique perspectives and backgrounds of others. Through our differences in how we think and act we can form innovative and effective teams and deliver organizational success.

If we can make the recruitment process more accessible for you, please let us know when we reach out about an opportunity so we can work with you to accommodate your needs.

In keeping with our commitment to safety and child protection, job offers are contingent on the successful completion of a Police Records Check. Prior to your first day and every three years thereafter, a Vulnerable Police Records Check is required.

The YMCA only considers applicants who are legally entitled to work in Canada.