Early Childhood Development Center Division Director

POSITION

The JCC seeks an experienced, visionary Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC) Division Director to lead and oversee the Division of Early Childhood Development. This includes managing early learning sites at two locations and fostering family engagement for children from infancy through Pre-K. The ECDC Director will play a key role in maintaining robust staff and program evaluation models, working collaboratively with educators, families, and community stakeholders to implement best practices aligned with industry accreditation standards and regulatory compliance.

As an effective and compassionate leader, the ECDC Director must be a strategic thinker with strong management, analytical, and interpersonal skills that allow them to address challenges and opportunities within the ECDC program. They must believe firmly in inclusion and community and be able to promote and foster a child-centric, supportive learning environment. This individual should be able to meet young families where they are and guide them through their JCC journey, beginning with their experience at ECDC. The ideal candidate should be deeply committed to Jewish early childhood education, the values of the Jewish community, and resonate with the JCC’s mission to enrich the lives of others.

As a member of the JCC’s Leadership Team, the ECDC Director will report to the Chief Program and Innovation Officer and be a key partner with other leadership team members, particularly those who work in program areas that serve children and families.

PRINCIPLE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Leadership & Management

• Provide direct supervision to two Associate Directors, a full-time Operations Manager, and approximately 10-15 full-time educators.
• Oversee the implementation and adherence to standard operating procedures across both early childhood locations.
• Apply innovative and creative problem-solving techniques to address key challenges, exploring resolutions through unconventional partnerships, business models and potential new revenue streams.
• Oversee the recruitment, hiring, training and retention of staff, ensuring a high-quality team.
• Lead Early Childhood leadership team and staff meetings periodically, fostering collaboration and effective communication.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of strategic operating procedures, developing and implementing a collaborative process for ongoing review and adjustment.
• Serve as a primary representative for the JCC of Greater Pittsburgh’s Jewish Early Childhood programs, advancing issues critical to the field of early childhood education.
• Ensure staff compliance with all daily operational requirements and regulations mandated by both external governing bodies and internal policies.
• Cultivate and maintain positive, effective working relationships with families, ensuring open lines of communication and support for their children’s development.
• Possess strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to analyze data, identify solutions and draw valid conclusions.
• Ensures adherence to and integration of the agency core values (shared lenses) Masa (reflection, return & renewal), B’Tzelem Elohim (dignity and potential), B’rit (belonging & commitment), Hit’orerut (amazement & gratitude), D’rash (inquiry, dialogue & transmission), K’dushah (intentionality & presence) and Tikkun Olam (responsibility).
• Ensure the agency’s Jewish values are consistently reflected in program experiences and educational practices.

Pedagogy

• Work in partnership with ECDC Associate Directors to lead the development and implementation of an age-appropriate and culturally responsive curriculum that is aligned with industry standards and values diversity and promotes equity in educational practices.
• Provide support, coaching and professional development opportunities for educators to deliver high-quality, child-centered lessons and incorporate best practices in Early Childhood education.
• Oversee children’s program assessments, using observation and developmental tracking, and partner with educators and families to adapt strategies as needed.
• Foster a safe, stimulating learning environment that encourages creativity, exploration and a love for learning.
• Serve as a role model for demonstrating best practices in Early Childhood education and lead by example in maintaining a warm, nurturing environment for children.
• Ensure that pedagogical approach is continually reviewed and updated, incorporating feedback from educators, families and key stakeholders.

Budget/Compliance Management

• Ensure adherence to program standards, including Keystone STARS, curriculum development, NAEYC accreditation and PA Department of Human Services licensing requirements.
• Maintain a thorough understanding of ECDC program finances and their impact on overall operations.
• Manage and monitor division budgets to ensure financial compliance.
• Develop and implement outreach strategies to ensure revenue projections are met.
• Works closely with Facility Management staff to ensure operational standards are met.

Community and Family engagement

• Serve as primary representative for the JCC and ECDC, fostering partnerships with key community organizations, including the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh , ElevatEd , JCCA Sheva Center , Trying Together and others.
• Oversee the coordination and implementation of enrichment programs, family engagement initiatives and special events.
• Collaborate with external providers, support staff, and families to provide inclusion services and support as necessary for children’s social and emotional needs to be met.
• Oversee the admissions process and recruitment of new families.
• Collaborate with other JCC departments to create and implement agency-wide inter-departmental programs that support community engagement.
• Partner with JCC Youth & Camp leadership to engage and manage the Youth & Camp committee, ensuring effective program delivery and community involvement.
• Promote and support Jewish life and values within the organization.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in human services or a related field (master’s degree preferred) with at least 5 years of experience as an Assistant or Associate Director in an early learning center.
• Familiarity with the Reggio Emilia philosophy is preferred.
• Ability to work collaboratively with all Early Childhood staff and agency staff, families and community members.
• Strong leadership acumen, communication, interpersonal, administrative and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated capacity to act decisively and expeditiously around opportunities for improvement.
• Proficiency in collaborating with other members of a leadership team.
• Knowledge of the Jewish community and Jewish customs and celebrations.
• Ability to be proactive and creative in overcoming obstacles and resource constraints.
• Works effectively with other key JCC departments to provide effective and efficient service delivery.
• Ability to define problems, develop solutions, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to manage and balance a variety of responsibilities in a fast-paced environment under tight time constraints.
• Recognizes that the JCC of Greater Pittsburgh gathers individuals representing diverse backgrounds, beliefs, and practices.
• Creates a warm and welcoming environment.
• Maintains a high degree of organization and attention to details.
• Adheres to Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh policies and procedures.
• Actively supports and participates in continuous intra-departmental and agency-wide quality improvement processes. “Everyone, Every Day, Closer to Better”.
• Actively promotes and maintains agency customer service standards.
• Ensures compliance with all state, federal and local regulating agencies.
• Generates necessary reports and documentation as needed and/or required.
• Ability to communicate verbally and in writing.
• Ability to operate personal computers (hardware and software).
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays, as required.
• Ability to travel, as needed.
• Ability to perform other related duties, as needed and/or required.

(These responsibilities are not to be construed as a complete statement of all duties performed.)

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES:

While performing the above duties, this position routinely requires handling persons and/or objects and moving safely throughout the building. This position may include walking, sitting, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching and crawling. This position requires communicating, either verbally or in writing. This position frequently requires moving items weighing up to 25 pounds. This position occasionally requires moving items weighing up to 50 pounds. Must be able to complete all essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodations.

CERTIFICATIONS:

PA Criminal History Clearance

PA Child Abuse Clearance

FBI Clearance

PA Mandated Reporter Training

National Sex Offenders Registry Clearance

First Aid/CPR Certification

Current physical examination report from a certified physician and an up-to-date TB vaccination

COMPENSATION:

Salary range for this leadership position is $95,000-$105,000 along with an attractive benefits package which includes health insurance, 401K, paid time off, performance-based bonus and complementary JCC membership.

This is a full-time, year-round position based in Pittsburgh, PA. Start date is flexible, but no later than June 1, 2025.

Equal Opportunity Employer

To apply, please submit resume and cover letter to:

Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh

Attn: Human Resources Department

5738 Forbes Avenue

Pittsburgh, PA 15217

hr@jccpgh.org