Executive Director, Early Education

POSITION SUMMARY
The Executive Director, Early Education, with the support of the Chief Program Officer will increase the Y's impact in early education through strategic leadership and targeted partnerships. This position will lead the organization with our state, federal, and local preschool funding while expanding to include Head Start and Early Head Start Programming. In alignment with the Y's Center for Community Well-Being strategy framework, the Executive Director of Early Education will be instrumental in the execution of the Y's Early Education (0-5 years) Strategy, which aims to decrease early education disparities for our low-income community and creating pathways for success for every child in Los Angeles.

The total annual operating budget for this department is 4.5M+. This position will supervise: One Operations Executive Director, a Family/Child Personal Manager, a Mental Health & Disabilities Specialist, and a Nutrition Specialist. This position will work with all federal, state, and local agencies supporting our preschools. The Executive Director will be a contributing member of the Y's youth development strategy leadership team, consisting of executive staff who oversee early learning, preschool, teens, youth sports, and other youth-focused programs at the Y.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Child Development, Early Childhood Education, or a related field or equivalent in academic preparation and/or experience. Full knowledge of and experience with California Title 22 licensing compliance and regulation, California State Preschool Programming and California Department of Social Services CCTR programs.
• Related Experience: Experience managing multiple sites and programs. Minimum of four (4) years of experience managing licensed childcare and before and after school programs, including experience supervising supervisors and staff. It is strongly preferred that the candidate have working experience as a Center Director in a Licensed Child Care facility. Knowledge and experience with the Head Start, Early Head Start and California State Preschool Funding, DRDP's, CACFP,
• Licenses & Certification: CDE Program Director Certification Required. California EMSA approved 16-Hour Infant-Child-Adult CPR, First Aid, AED, Lead Poisoning Prevention, and Preventative Health and Safety certifications or are willing to certify within 60 days of hire (provided by the YMCA).
• Immunizations & Physical: Proof of vaccination for TDAP (Whooping Cough/Pertussis) and MMR (Measles). Completion of health screening and TB clearance within seven (7) days of hire.
• Other: Knowledge of program planning, implementation, and management; staff supervision, budgeting/fiscal management. Experience in community development, partnerships, and relations. Experience working with school personnel and school leadership. Familiarity with mandated reporting procedures, safety, and risk management
• This position requires the final candidate to successfully pass an E-Verify check. For more information about E-Verify, please visit https://www.e-verify.gov/employees/e-verify-overview

WORK ENVIRONMENT/MINIMUM PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• You must have the physical, visual, and auditory ability to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodations.
• Ability to plan, lead, and participate in activities.
• Job is performed in indoor as well as outdoor environments throughout the year.
• Ability to lift 30-35lbs
• This is not a remote position. It is based in a physical location.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Strategic Operations

• Strategically lead the YMCA's Early Education Programming; including (1) Full Fee Preschool, (6) state/federal funded preschool programs, implementation of early education day camp programs. Innovate and ideate to ensure sustainability across all programs.
• Lead, develop, and implement strategies to ensure programs achieve enrollment goals identified in Y's annual operating plan. Meeting all timelines for state and federal reporting.
• Effectively communicate program details to necessary departments, oversee quality control and data management for all state and federal reporting.
• Lead initiatives to create nurturing, child-centered environments with volunteer and family involvement.
• Oversee the distribution of ongoing state evaluations and program surveys to ensure that high levels of quality in programs are maintained at all times; ensure outcomes align with the state standards, Head Start and Early Head Start Programs.
• Build strong relationships with partners, schools and the community, evaluate program quality and needs, and collaborate with state and local agencies to ensure reporting is accurate and reflects investments in the early education programming.

Staff Leadership

• Work with the team to ensure they regularly visit program sites and complete assessments. Review evaluation and ensure that plans of correction of developed, if needed.
• Develop and support a strategy around staff recruitment and hiring. Provide direct supervision to department staff, assuring that all staff are qualified, certified, and meeting performance standards for their position.
• Work with your team to ensure that monthly department meetings and staff training are planned and executed. Design, co-create, or partner with a LACOE to facilitate professional development opportunities, and execute ongoing training for staff and volunteers through various meetings, courses, workshops, and regional events, including youth development summits and conferences.

Community Engagement

• Create opportunities (events, initiatives, activities) for the community to engage in the Y.
• Identify program volunteer positions and assist with identifying, recruiting, and tracking program volunteers.
• Chair the YMCA's Parent Advisory Council for all 6 preschools, ensure community partners, and parents from each center are represented.
• Support youth development events and initiatives as a contributing member of the team, such as the Youth Development Summit, Healthy Kids Day, and other large-scale events.

Operations & Compliance

• Create and maintain systems to ensure that state-licensed preschool program sites are always in compliance with licensing.
• Lead Preschools through Head Start /Early Head Start expansion and program implementation
• Maintain a commitment to safety through regularly scheduled and documented on-site safety inspections. Ensure that standards for safety and risk management are met.
• Explore, develop, and strategize other ways for the organization to provide early education quality summer camp programming.
• Review high-level incident reports, evaluate, and take appropriate action. Maintain a commitment to safety through regularly scheduled and documented on-site safety inspections.
• Ensure current records are maintained for all staff that require certifications and keep copies on file. Ensure that all job descriptions and performance standards are accurate, current, and on file for all employees.
• Ensure all programs follow California Department of Education, LA County Office of Education and California Department of Social Services regulatory and policy requirements.

Fiscal Management

• Develop and manage annual operating budgets for all programs, achieve financial goals, complete monthly forecasting, and monitor budgets with variance analysis and expense control.
• Work closely with the Y's finance team to ensure that 3rd party funding is managed appropriately. Prepare and submit reports and documentation as required.
• Oversee department spending and obtain authorizations accordingly.
• Develop and support year-round fundraising programs, including donor relations, grant opportunities, and special event sponsorships. Maintain good rapport with current and future funders, including updates throughout the year, program tours, etc.
• Attend staff meetings and trainings as required.
• Uphold YMCA policies for safety, supervision, mandated reporting and risk management.
• Demonstrate the Six Pillars of Character (Trustworthiness, Citizenship, Respect, Responsibility, Caring and Fairness) as well as the YMCA Core Values of Caring, Respect, Honesty and Responsibility, in all dealings with members, guests, volunteers and fellow staff.
• Demonstrate competencies in and willingness to develop in the Cause Driven Leadership areas of mission advancement, collaboration, operational effectiveness and personal growth.
• All other duties as assigned by your supervisor.

As part of our dedication to the diversity of our staff, the Association is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity without regard for race, color, national origin, ethnicity, gender, protected veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or religion. People of color, people with disabilities, women, and LGBTQ+ candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Pursuant to the Los Angeles Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.