Senior Program Manager

Umbrella Family and Child Centres of Hamilton; Hamilton; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Pension plan with employer matching

Vacation and sick time

Employee Assistance Program

Professional development

Job summary

Umbrella Family and Child Centres of Hamilton is seeking a Senior Program Manager to lead multi-site early learning programs across Hamilton. You will shape strategic direction, mentor leaders, and ensure high-quality service delivery aligned with How Does Learning Happen?

and Reggio Emilia-inspired pedagogy. Reporting to the Senior Director of Childcare Programs, you will oversee operational, pedagogical, and people leadership, manage licensing and compliance, and drive organizational growth

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 at least five (5) years in multi-site leadership.
• Experience leading organizational-wide initiatives, strategic projects, and change management across locations.
• Proven ability to step into senior leadership responsibilities and support decision-making.
• Experience opening new childcare centres or leading major program expansions.

Responsibilities

• 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 and operational readiness.
• Support multi-year operational planning, sector strategies, and organizational priorities.
• Represent Umbrella Family with HWDSB, MOE, and sector committees.
• Provide leadership, coaching, and performance management to Supervisors and program teams across multiple sites.
• Oversee licensing, compliance, serious occurrences, investigations, and high-risk situations.
• Lead planning, development, and opening of new centres and program expansions.
• Analyze operational needs and implement strategies for effectiveness and continuous improvement.
• Ensure program quality and pedagogical alignment with How Does Learning Happen? and Reggio Emilia-inspired approaches.
• Provide advanced pedagogical guidance to Supervisors and educators.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, enrollment management, and resource allocation.
• Monitor performance indicators and drive corrective actions.
• Foster leadership development and a collaborative workplace culture.
• Build partnerships with families, school partners, and community stakeholders.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Budgeting

Change management

Multi-site leadership

Compliance

Job description

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.

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.