Executive Director

Nonotuck Community School

Northampton (MA)

On-site

USD 75,000 - 90,000

Full time

5 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Simple IRA

Generous PTO

Job summary

Nonotuck Community School in Northampton, MA, seeks an Executive Director to lead the school’s mission and operations alongside the Assistant Director. This role blends visionary leadership with hands-on administration to sustain a child-centered, cooperative educational community.

The Executive Director will safeguard our 50-year legacy of high-quality early education for ages 15 months to 6 years, support staff, manage budgeting, regulatory compliance, and engage families, the union, and the

Qualifications

5+ years of experience in an early education setting.
Bachelor’s degree (education or related field strongly preferred).
EEC Director I or Director II Certification is required.
Demonstrated organizational leadership including supervision, coaching, and evaluation of staff.
Knowledge of EEC licensing regulations and best practices.
CPR and First Aid Certification.

Responsibilities

Oversee and enhance high-quality early childhood education and programming.
Lead recruitment and onboarding of teachers; oversee staff schedules and staffing levels per EEC standards.
Develop and manage annual operating budget with the board of directors.

Skills

Leadership

Mentorship

Conflict resolution

Interpersonal skills

Collaboration

Community building

Education

Bachelor's degree

EEC Director I/II Certification

Job description

Nonotuck Community School Nonotuck Community School - Northampton, Massachusetts Open in Google Maps

Executive Director

Nonotuck Community School Nonotuck Community School - Northampton, Massachusetts Open in Google Maps

Job Details

Job ID: 5935369

Application Deadline: Posted until filled

Posted: Sep 22, 2026 12:00 AM (UTC)

Starting Date: Dec 1, 2026

Job Description

Nonotuck Community School is seeking our next Executive Director.

Nonotuck Community School is more than an early childhood program—it is a vibrant learning community where children, families, and educators grow together. For more than 50 years, we have provided high-quality education and care for children ages 15 months to 6 years in an environment that nurtures self-esteem, creative thinking, and individuality. We believe children learn best through play, exploration, meaningful relationships, and a curriculum that emerges from their curiosity.

Nonotuck is a unique community made up of a parent cooperative and a teachers union, dedicated to fostering an inclusive, welcoming, collaborative environment. We uphold these commitments through equity and social justice practices and respectful partnerships among children, families, and staff. We empower families and teachers to share ownership and leadership of the school, stewarding our organization and facilities through board roles, co-op jobs, and multi-stakeholder committees.

Position Summary

The next Executive Director will take over from our Interim Executive Director and, together with our Assistant Director, serve as a key leader within the school community. The Executive Director is the educational and organizational leader of Nonotuck Community School. This person is responsible for protecting and advancing the school's mission while fostering a joyful, collaborative community for children, families, and educators. The Executive Director balances visionary leadership with strong operational management, ensuring that our child-centered philosophy remains at the heart of every decision.

Key Responsibilities

Oversee and maintain high quality early childhood education and programming, building on Nonotuck’s 50-year history of cultivating an environment of child-led emergent curriculum and community-centered care.
Champion Nonotuck's mission and philosophy of emergent, play-based education.
Foster a culture where children's social-emotional well-being and relationships are central to all aspects of school life.
Ensure compliance with all state (EEC) and federal regulations and licensing requirements.
Establish and maintain regular communications with the full community, including parents/caregivers, teachers, and board of directors, including providing monthly updates on operations (such as staffing and enrollment) and strategic initiatives.
Oversee recruitment and enrollment for new families, and work with caregivers and board members to welcome new families to the school community.

Staff Oversight & Support

Oversee and supervise Nonotuck’s team of dedicated teachers according to the union’s collective bargaining agreement. Provide ongoing feedback, professional development, and opportunities for growth to a diverse group of teachers at varying stages of their professional careers.
Lead hiring process and work with the Assistant Director and board of directors to hire and onboard teachers as needed.
Collaborate with the Assistant Director to set staff schedules and ensure smooth daily operations, ensuring daily staffing coverage fits EEC standards.
Foster a supportive workplace culture for all staff, including maintaining open lines of communication, implementing regular staff meetings, and providing mentorship for teachers to support professional and personal growth.
Encourage reflective practice, collaboration, and continuous learning among educators.
Support teachers in creating responsive, child-centered learning environments that honor children's individuality, creativity, and agency.
Serve as the main point of contact for the teachers union (UAW Local 2322), maintaining quarterly meetings and other communications as needed to promote a collaborative working relationship with the union.

Administration & Finance

Develop and oversee the annual operating budget in partnership with the board of directors.
Develop systems for oversight of administrative operations, including supervising other administrative staff, monthly financial reports, and reporting to the board.

Compensation

Compensation is negotiable based on experience and qualifications. Potential salary range is $75K–$90K annually.

Potential benefits package available (depending on compensation structure)

Health insurance (85% employer contribution)
Dental insurance (50% employer contribution)
2% employer contribution to Simple IRA
Generous PTO, including paid sick time, vacation time, and personal time

Key Skills

Strong leadership, team-building, mentorship, and conflict resolution skills
Ability to plan and execute professional development for early childhood educators
Excellent interpersonal skills to ensure effective, professional, and responsive communication with a diverse group of stakeholders, including the ability to deeply listen and give and receive feedback
Strong collaboration, problem solving, and community building skills to engage staff and families in strengthening school culture, programming, and operations
Proven champion of social justice with the ability to cultivate a culture of inclusivity and belonging across a diversity of stakeholder groups, identities, and social differences

Minimum Qualifications

5+ years of experience in an early education setting
Bachelor’s degree (education or a related field strongly preferred)
EEC Director I or Director II Certification
Demonstrated organizational leadership ability, including the ability to supervise, coach, evaluate, and support teachers and staff
In-depth knowledge of EEC licensing regulations and early childhood best practices
CPR and First Aid Certification
Ability to pass background checks and meet all EEC regulatory requirements
Operational skills, including budgeting and financial management experience

Position Type: Full-time

Salary: $75,000 to $90,000 Per Year

Job Categories:

Administration > Director/Coordinator/Manager

Job Requirements

At least 5 year(s) of relevant experience preferred.
Bachelor degree preferred.
Citizenship, residency or work visa required.

Preferred Qualifications

1+ years Director level experience
Experience working in and/or with a unionized workforce
Experience working with a board, parent cooperative, or other collaborative governance structures
Ability to develop operating budgets, perform financial analysis in support of proposed changes, and oversee the work of finance professionals

*If you do not meet all listed qualifications but believe your experience, education, or training provides an equivalent foundation for success in the role, we strongly encourage you to apply and explain why you believe your unique experience qualifies you for the role.

Nonotuck Community School is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, nation origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Work Location: In person

Contact Information