Director of Early Learning & Family Programs

Paycom - ATS; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Jeep Rogers Family YMCA in Columbia, SC seeks a Director of Early Learning & Family Programs to lead Preschool, Child Watch, and family enrichment initiatives, ensuring safe, high-quality experiences for children and families.

You will recruit and develop staff and volunteers, manage program budgets, design age-appropriate curriculum, and collaborate with branch leadership to grow programs and strengthen member engagement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in a related field (Early Childhood Education, Recreation, Human Services, etc.).
• Experience supervising volunteers and coordinating engagement initiatives.
• Minimum two years of youth/family programming experience with leadership responsibility.
• Ability to relate effectively to diverse groups of people.
• Completion of required YMCA/program-specific trainings and safety certifications.
• Strong organizational, leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Commitment to inclusion and ADA compliance.

Responsibilities

• Direct Preschool, Child Watch, and family enrichment initiatives with budget oversight.
• Ensure YMCA standards, risk management, safety procedures, and records are followed.
• Develop new program opportunities and market/promote programs and events.
• Develop and evaluate age-appropriate curriculum and enrichment experiences.
• Recruit, hire, train, supervise, and develop staff and volunteers; manage schedules and evaluations.
• Foster collaboration with members, parents, schools, and community partners.
• Participate in branch leadership team and Manager-on-Duty responsibilities.
• Oversee volunteer engagement: recruitment, onboarding, training, recognition, and records.
• Organize committees, events, fundraising, and community outreach.
• Maintain clear, regular communication with staff, members, volunteers, and leadership.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Collaboration

Program/Project Management

Developing Self & Others

Emotional Maturity

Communication & Influence

Inclusion

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or related field

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY:This position supports the work of the Y, a leading nonprofit, charitable organization committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. The Director of Early Learning & Family Programs at the Jeep Rogers Family YMCA provides leadership and operational oversight for Preschool, Child Watch, family enrichment initiatives, and volunteer engagement. This position ensures high-quality, safe, and engaging experiences for children and families while supporting branch operations, staff development, volunteer management, and strategic growth. The Director works collaboratively with the Associate Executive Director and branch leadership team to strengthen programs, enhance member engagement, and achieve organizational goals.OUR CULTURE: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.ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:1. Directs and leads Preschool, Child Watch, and family enrichment initiatives, including developing and monitoring program budgets to meet fiscal objectives; compiling program statistics to evaluate effectiveness and participation; securing and maintaining facilities; scheduling activities and events; and maintaining program records and documentation.2. Ensures YMCA standards, risk management practices, safety procedures, and operational guidelines are consistently followed across all program areas. Maintains accurate records related to staff training, participant information, incident reporting, and program operations.3. Ensures programs and services meet community needs by supervising existing program activities, developing new program opportunities, and expanding services that support children and families. Assists in the marketing and promotion of programs and events.4. Develops, implements, and evaluates age-appropriate curriculum, activities, and enrichment experiences that support youth development and family engagement.5. Recruits, hires, trains, supervises, and develops diverse staff and volunteer teams. Maintains staff schedules, conducts performance evaluations, provides coaching and professional development opportunities, and fosters a culture of accountability and excellence.6. Models relationship-building skills in all interactions and develops collaborative relationships with members, participants, parents, schools, community organizations, volunteers, and YMCA staff to maximize program impact and member engagement.7. Serves as a member of the branch leadership team by participating in Manager-on-Duty responsibilities, supporting branch operations, assisting with facility oversight, and contributing to branch goals and organizational priorities.8. Oversees volunteer engagement and administration for the Jeep Rogers Family YMCA, including volunteer recruitment, onboarding, screening, training, placement, recognition, and record maintenance. Ensures volunteers are appropriately matched to branch and program needs and that all YMCA volunteer policies and risk management practices are followed.9. Organizes or participates in YMCA activities, including committees, special events, fundraising initiatives, annual campaigns, and community outreach efforts.10. Maintains clear, regular, and effective communication with staff, members, participants, volunteers, and branch leadership regarding programs, policies, procedures, and organizational priorities.11. Performs other duties as assigned.LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES:CollaborationProgram/Project ManagementDeveloping Self & OthersEmotional MaturityCommunication & InfluenceInclusionQUALIFICATIONS:• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Education, Recreation, Human Services, Business Administration, or a related field; or equivalent experience.• YMCA Team Leader certification preferred.• Minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in youth, family, recreation, educational, or early learning programming preferred.• Previous supervisory experience preferred.• Experience supervising volunteers and coordinating volunteer engagement initiatives preferred.• Minimum age of 21.• Within 30 days of hire, completion of Child Abuse Prevention, CPR, First Aid, AED, Bloodborne Pathogens, and Sexual Harassment training.• Completion of YMCA program-specific training as required.• Ability to relate effectively to diverse groups of people from all social and economic segments of the community.• Strong organizational, leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.• Commitment to inclusion and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS:The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions:The employee needs sufficient strength, agility and mobility to perform essential functions and to safely supervise program activities.While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use a computer for extended periods of time and be able to communicate using a computer and phone/smart device.The employee frequently is required to sit and reach and must be able to move around the work environment.The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust.The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.