Executive Director

Green Lake School Age Child Care Program; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 82,000 - 87,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual performance bonus up to 7%

Two weeks paid vacation

12 paid holidays annually

Employer-paid medical, dental, vision

401(k) retirement plan with up to 3%"

Professional development funds

Job summary

Green Lake School Age Child Care Program (GLSA) seeks an Executive Director to lead operations, program quality, and financial health for a social-emotional learning-based before- and after-school program in Seattle.

The ideal candidate combines nonprofit leadership with child development expertise, manages budgets, and fosters strong family partnerships. This is a full-time, exempt role reporting to the Board with occasional evening/weekend hours. Applications due Oct 16, 2026.

Qualifications

• Meets Washington State child care center Director qualifications under WAC 110-300-0100(3)(a) and other admin experience.
• Experience managing organizational budgets, financial reporting, and day-to-day business operations.
• Experience hiring, supervising, and evaluating staff, including documented performance management.
• Experience building program-wide strategy and managing through change and ambiguity.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for working with a Board of Directors, families, staff, and partners.
• Willingness to work evenings and weekends and to travel locally.

Responsibilities

• Lead GLSA's overall operations, administration, and program quality in compliance with regulations and licensing.
• Plan curriculum with the team and ensure high-quality before- and after-school and summer programming.
• Hire, train, and mentor staff using SEL best practices and a cohesive philosophy of care.
• Maintain communications with staff, families, and the Board for an engaged community.
• Develop partnerships with schools and community organizations to support the program.
• Grow enrollment and represent GLSA in community and professional activities.

Skills

Budgeting

Financial reporting

Staff management

Strategic planning

Communication

Evening/weekend hours and travel

Education

Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education or related

Master's degree preferred

Tools

QuickBooks

Microsoft 365

Job description

Making great memories for kids before and after school

Position Summary

Green Lake School Age Care Program (GLSA) is seeking an exceptional leader for a role that is equal parts child development champion and business executive. Our next Executive Director will serve as the steward of a joyful, high-quality, social-and-emotional-learning-based program that shapes how children experience before- and after-school care while also running a financially fit organization with long term strategy in mind.

This is a rare opportunity for someone who is as comfortable reviewing a P&L statement or negotiating a vendor contract as they are observing a classroom and coaching a teacher on social-emotional learning practices. The strongest candidates will bring proven organizational and financial management skills together with a genuine, hands‑on commitment to child development, education, and family partnership.

About GLSA

GLSA is a state-licensed, nonprofit, social-and-emotional-learning-based child care program dedicated to creating meaningful relationships with children and working alongside families to help raise caring, socially aware, happy, and emotionally intelligent young people. We use research-based communication tools to create a safe, fun, and supportive environment for the ~70 five- through twelve-year-old children in our care each day.

We provide before- and after-school care primarily for children from Green Lake Elementary School in Seattle, Washington, from September through June, and a theme-based summer camp from late June through August. Our center occupies a large, dedicated space in the lower level of the Green Lake United Methodist Church.

GLSA is committed to serving a diverse population of children and families. We value the diversity of our families' cultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds and strive to create a program that challenges bias and honors all families' beliefs and practices. We adapt our space and program so that all children can participate fully.

The Ideal Candidate

GLSA is looking for a leader who pairs solid business acumen with a genuine commitment to social-emotional learning and shares the core values of the GLSA community. Minimum qualifications reflect the baseline every candidate must meet; preferred qualifications describe the strongest possible fit but are not required to apply. Immediate or near-term availability is strongly preferred for this role.

Minimum Qualifications

• Meets Washington State child care center Director qualifications under WAC 110-300-0100(3)(a): at least 18 years old; at least two years of experience as a teacher of children in a licensed early learning program; at least six months of experience in administration or management; and either an ECE state certificate or equivalent (verified in DCYF's MERIT workforce registry), or 45 completed college quarter credits in early childhood education core competencies.
• Demonstrated experience managing organizational budgets, financial reporting, and day-to-day business operations
• Experience hiring, supervising, and evaluating staff, including documented performance management
• Experience building program-wide strategy and managing through change and ambiguity
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for working with a Board of Directors, families, staff, and school or community partners
• Ability and willingness to work agreed-upon evening and weekend hours, and to travel locally for organizational tasks

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field; a Master's degree is preferred
• 3-5 years of experience in a Director or Assistant Director role at a high-quality child care facility
• Prior experience with nonprofit board governance, fundraising, or grant writing
• Working knowledge of social-emotional learning curriculum and trauma-informed best practices for school-age children
• Tech-savvy with accounting and productivity software (e.g., QuickBooks, Microsoft 365) and an interest in using technology to automate routine operations

Strong candidates will move fluidly between the office and the classroom, equally energized by financial planning and by the diverse, hands‑on responsibilities of running a small school.

Role of the Executive Director

The Executive Director leads GLSA's overall operations, administration, and program standards in accordance with federal, state, and local regulations and state licensing requirements, while partnering with the Board of Directors to advance the organization's mission and financial health.

Child Development & Program Quality Leadership

• Collaborate with the Assistant Director and staff to plan curriculum and ensure implementation of a high-quality, diverse, and stimulating before-, after-school, and ~10-week summer program
• Hire, train, and mentor staff using SEL best practices, and maintain a cohesive, program-wide philosophy of care
• Communicate regularly with staff, families, and the Board to maintain an informed and engaged community
• Address barriers to a positive classroom environment and support the social-emotional growth of every child in the program

Business & Operations Leadership

• Direct, organize, and maintain the financial stability of the organization, including short- and long-term budgeting and grant writing
• Ensure the program conforms to all governmental health, safety, and licensing requirements
• Hire, train, supervise, and evaluate school personnel; delegate effectively to the Assistant Director to maintain high program quality
• Maintain appropriate records for licensing and regulatory purposes; review and write organizational procedures
• Develop internal and external partnerships, including with Green Lake Elementary School and Green Lake United Methodist Church, to advance and support the program
• Grow and manage enrollment and represent GLSA in community and professional development activities

This is a full-time, exempt position reporting to the Board of Directors, requiring the ability and willingness to work agreed-upon evening and weekend hours if needed.

• Competitive salary of $82,400- $87,000, dependent on qualifications and experience (negotiable)
• Annual performance bonus potential of up to 7%
• Two weeks of paid vacation and 12 paid holidays annually
• 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with up to a 3% match
• Individual professional development funds for conferences, training, or workshops

Applications accepted through October 16, 2026.

Conditions of Employment

• A background check and fingerprint clearance, pursuant to chapter 110-06 WAC
• Completion of DCYF preservice training requirements, pursuant to WAC 110-300-0105
• Mandatory reporter training; as a condition of the role, the Director is a mandatory reporter of suspected child abuse or neglect under RCW 26.44

Physical Requirements

This role requires the ability to move quickly and safely to respond to children's needs; to see and hear well enough to actively supervise a group of children indoors and outdoors; to sit, stand, bend, and walk for extended periods; and to occasionally lift up to 40 lbs. GLSA will provide reasonable accommodation for qualified applicants and employees with disabilities.

GLSA is an equal opportunity employer committed to assembling a diverse and talented team. Who you are and what you bring is important to us. GLSA does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, families‑with‑children status, honorably discharged veteran or military status, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, HIV or AIDS status, use of a trained dog guide or service animal, or any other status protected by applicable federal, Washington State, or local law.

Reasonable Accommodation: GLSA provides reasonable accommodation to applicants and employees with disabilities. If you need an accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, please contact us at [e-mail] so we can work with you to provide appropriate assistance.