Director of Early Learning Centers

Kids for the Future; Springfield (MO); On-site; USD 45,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Ozarks Regional YMCA is seeking an experienced Director of Early Learning Centers to lead multiple YMCA Early Learning Centers and related programs. The role handles leadership, staff development, curriculum consistency, and compliance across sites.

You will guide licensing, enrollment, budgeting, and family engagement while building community partnerships and ensuring sustainable growth in a nonprofit setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Education, Child Development, Psychology, Sociology, or a related field.
• Minimum of 1-3 years of progressive leadership experience in childcare, youth development, education, or related programs.
• Experience supervising and developing staff and managing multiple program sites preferred.
• Experience with program budgets, fiscal management, and fundraising.
• Knowledge of state childcare licensing requirements.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and oversight for all existing and future YMCA Early Learning Centers and early childhood programs.
• Serve as the primary operational contact for Early Learning Centers, ensuring consistency in program expectations, policies, procedures, curriculum, and quality standards.
• Lead the operational setup and implementation of new Early Learning Centers and programs, including licensing, staffing, enrollment, classroom readiness, curriculum, supplies, and operational systems.
• Develop and support plans for program growth, new center openings, and expansion opportunities approved by the organization.
• Maintain responsibility for overall program quality and ensure developmentally appropriate curriculum and practices are implemented consistently.

Skills

Leadership

Staff development

Communication

Program planning

Budgeting

Regulatory knowledge

Enrollment management

Problem solving

Emergency response

Education

Bachelor's degree (Early Childhood Education or related)

Job description

• Location 323 North Patton Ave.,Springfield, MO, 65806,United States
• Base Pay $45,000.00 - $49,500.00 / Year
• Employee Type FT Exempt
• Required Degree 4 Year Degree
• Manage Others Yes

Contact information

• Phone [phone]
• Email [e-mail]

Description

This position supports the work of the Y, a leading nonprofit committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. The Director of Early Learning Centers provides leadership and oversight for all existing and future Ozarks Regional YMCA Early Learning Centers and early childhood programs. As the primary operational leader, the Director is responsible for program quality, growth and sustainability, staff leadership, fiscal management, licensing and compliance, enrollment, and family engagement.

Working closely with senior leadership, the Director ensures consistent standards across Early Learning Centers and provides leadership to ensure all services offered through the Ozarks Regional YMCA meet the member-centric standards set by the organization. This position builds and maintains relationships with community partners and school administrators while identifying opportunities to strengthen services for children and families. It is expected that the average workweek will exceed 40 hours to accomplish assigned duties.

Our mission and core values are brought to life by our culture. In the Y, we strive to live our cause of strengthening communities with purpose and intentionality every day. We are welcoming: we are open to all. We are a place where you can belong and become. We are genuine: we value you and embrace your individuality. We are hopeful: we believe in you and your potential to become a catalyst in the world. We are nurturing: we support you in your journey to develop your full potential. We are determined: above all else, we are on a relentless quest to make our community stronger beginning with you. The Ozarks Regional YMCA strictly follows a zero-tolerance policy regarding child abuse & misconduct.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and oversight for all existing and future YMCA Early Learning Centers and early childhood programs.
• Serve as the primary operational contact for Early Learning Centers, ensuring consistency in program expectations, policies, procedures, curriculum, and quality standards.
• Lead the operational setup and implementation of new Early Learning Centers and programs, including licensing, staffing, enrollment, classroom readiness, curriculum, supplies, and operational systems.
• Develop and support plans for program growth, new center openings, and expansion opportunities approved by the organization.
• Maintain responsibility for overall program quality and ensure developmentally appropriate curriculum and practices are implemented consistently.
• Maintain a regular presence within Early Learning Centers to evaluate program quality, support staff, and address operational needs.
• Recruit, hire, supervise, coach, and develop Early Learning Center leadership and staff.
• Establish clear expectations and accountability for staff performance, communication, safety, program quality, and compliance.
• Monitor staffing levels and schedules to ensure appropriate coverage, licensing ratios, and responsible use of resources.
• Ensure compliance with state childcare licensing requirements, YMCA policies, grant requirements, and applicable regulations.
• Coordinate licensing and regulatory requirements associated with opening and operating Early Learning Centers.
• Ensure required program, child, and personnel documentation, staff training, certifications, and background screenings remain current.
• Monitor enrollment, attendance, capacity, and waitlists and identify opportunities to strengthen program sustainability and growth.
• Ensure families receive clear and consistent communication and provide director-level support when concerns require additional attention.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with families, school districts, community organizations, funding partners, and other stakeholders.
• Manage Early Learning Centers within approved budgets and monitor staffing expenses, program costs, enrollment revenue, and resource needs.
• Provide program information and recommendations to senior leadership to support budgeting, staff, program growth, partnerships, and future Early Learning Center opportunities.
• Support marketing, community engagement, annual campaign activities, and other YMCA initiatives as appropriate.
• While the YMCA's central office is located in Springfield, Missouri, frequent travel between Early Learning Centers, future program locations, and administrative offices is required.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to lead multiple Early Learning Centers while maintaining consistent program and quality standards.
• Strong leadership, staff development, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to plan and coordinate the operational needs of new and expanding Early Learning Centers.
• Strong written and verbal communication with the ability to build effective relationships with staff, families, partners, and leadership.
• Ability to organize and manage multiple programs, priorities, and deadlines.
• Ability to assess program needs, solve problems, and respond effectively to changing circumstances.
• Ability to interpret and apply childcare regulations, organizational policies, and program standards.
• Ability to analyze enrollment, staffing, program quality, and financial information to support effective operations.
• Visual and auditory ability to respond to critical incidents and the physical ability to act swiftly in an emergency.

Requirements

• Must be 21 years of age or older.
• Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Education, Child Development, Psychology, Sociology, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of 1-3 years of progressive leadership experience in childcare, youth development, education, or related programs.
• Experience supervising and developing staff and managing multiple program sites preferred.
• Experience with program evaluation, development, and quality improvement.
• Knowledge and experience working with state childcare licensing requirements.
• Experience with program budgets, fiscal management, and fundraising.
• Experience working with families, schools, community organizations, or other program partners.
• Commitment to inclusion and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
• CPR and First Aid certification required or ability to obtain within the required timeframe.