Director of Manhattan Preschool & Youth Programs

Job Title: Director of Manhattan Preschool and Youth Programs

Department: Language Center

Reports to: VP of Education

Designation: Exempt / Full Time

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Start Date: July 1^st, 2025.

Salary: $80,000.00 - $90,000.00.

L’Alliance New York is a multi-disciplinary educational and cultural organization with locations in midtown Manhattan and Montclair, NJ. As an independent, not-for-profit organization, L’Alliance New York is committed to providing our audience and students with engaging French language classes and audacious multi-disciplinary programming that celebrates the diversity of francophone cultures and creativity around the world. We are a welcoming and inclusive community for all ages and all backgrounds, where people can meet, learn, and explore the richness of our heritages and share discoveries. We strive to amplify voices and build bridges from the entire francophone world to New York and beyond. L’Alliance New York has an extensive Language Center offering hundreds of French classes for all ages, a French Library, and year-round cultural programs ranging from cinema and performing arts to visual arts and social event programs.

L’Alliance New York’s Preschool and Youth Programs are part of the Language Center, the largest language school dedicated to teaching the French language in the tri-state area. With more than 5,000 registrations annually, French instruction is offered in two convenient locations: Manhattan’s Upper East Side and Montclair, NJ. L’Alliance New York offers its programs to toddlers (ages 1-4), kids (5-10) and teens (11-17) from beginner to advanced levels, including French for native speakers.

L'Alliance New York’s Preschool has been offering a full-day and half-day French immersion program for toddlers ages 2½ to 5 in two separate classes/classrooms in Manhattan since 2012.

Position Summary

The director of the Manhattan Preschool and Youth Programs, a full-time position, is responsible for the conception, development, organization and promotion of onsite and offsite Youth Programs and oversees the day to day operations of L’Alliance New York’s preschool in Manhattan, coordinating with the Montclair , NJ Preschool.

The working hours are 8:30am-4:30 pm.

Responsibilities

Main Responsibilities:

The Director is committed to the highest level of customer service and strives to foster excellent public relations as a key motivation. The Director is under the direct supervision of the Vice President of Education of L’Alliance New York and works with the other departments to ensure coordinated and seamless service.

·        The Director is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Youth Programs and the Manhattan preschool: scheduling of classes and instructors, submission of proposals to potential clients, follow-up at the administrative and pedagogical levels, budgeting and billing, statistics, technology enhancements, reports and development of customized programs.

·        The Director is responsible for the development of the Manhattan Preschool and Youth Programs client base: canvassing of clients, establishment of sales objectives, statistics, and creation of marketing campaigns and materials.

·        The Director is responsible for the development of new products and services in response to evolving needs and ensures long-term planning of the service.

Pedagogical Responsibilities

·        Develop and enrich the Youth Programs class offerings, based on clients’ survey and competition.

·        Organize and lead teacher training sessions.

·        Evaluate and improve teacher performance through classroom observations and coaching.

·        Stay current with the latest methodology, pedagogical resources and technology for the teaching of French as a foreign language to a young audience.

·        Stay current with the official French curricula for preschool’s instructions as well as teaching French as a foreign language (official curriculum of the French Ministry of Education and European Framework).

·        Substitute for a teacher and conduct placement test occasionally.

·        Organize weekly meetings with the preschool staff.

·        Fine-tune the preschool’s curriculum and evaluations.

·        Substitutes teach as needed.

Teachers Management

·        Manage a team of about 20-30 part-time teachers in the Youth Programs.

·        Supervise a Youth Programs coordinator and the Manhattan Preschool.

·        Advise teachers on pedagogy and available pedagogical resources.

·        Identify the training needs of the pedagogical team.

·        Recruit, train, and assist new instructors.

Administrative tasks

·        Schedule classes at the beginning of each session.

·        Assign classes to teachers.

·        Oversee enrollment in Youth Programs classes/workshops.

·        Assist with the registration/transfer process at the start of each session.

·        Ensure that classes run smoothly (supply orders, snacks, etc).

·        Hire and train new interns/volunteers/teachers, etc.

·        Recruit new students/families and organize observation days for the preschool.

·        Communicate with parents via email on a regular basis.

·        Create the school year calendar.

·        Make sure that the preschool is in compliance with the Department of Health rules and regulations.

·        Coordinate the yearbook with the Marketing Team.

Business Development

·        Communicate program content and updates to parents and answer inquiries.

·        Meet with parents regularly to ensure their satisfaction and re-enrollment.

·        Seek out prospective clients and ensure enrollment (fairs, open houses… etc).

·        Foster a positive relationship among students, parents and instructors.

·        Stay current with the class offerings of our competitors for young French learners as well as with their marketing strategies (web content, etc) in order to establish L’Alliance New York as a leader in the field.

·        Participate in the elaboration and implementation of L’Alliance New York as cultural programs for kids.

·        Collaborate with L’Alliance New York as sponsors (kids programs).

·        Nurture partnerships with youth literature and FLE publishers.

The job description above is not an exhaustive list of duties. The person in this role will be expected to perform different tasks as necessitated by the role and the overall business objectives of L’Alliance New York.

Qualifications/Requirements

·        NYS Certification required.

·        French teaching certification preferred, e.g. Diplôme de Professeur des Écoles, Master’s degree (Level 1 or 2) in Teaching French as a Foreign Language, or DAEFLE.

·        Exceptional written and verbal communication skills in English.

·        Excellent written and verbal communication skills in French.

·        Passion for Francophonie and Francophone cultures.

·        Minimum of two years’ experience teaching French as a foreign language to young learners.

·        Minimum of two years’ experience managing people.

·        Solid knowledge and understanding of the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) and the French Ministry of Education curriculum for preschool.

·        Strong expertise in French language pedagogy for children aged 1 to 17.

·        Proficient in using educational technologies, including Smart Board technology, for language instruction.

·        Proven ability to work collaboratively in a team-oriented environment.

·        Flexible and adaptable to changing priorities, with strong attention to detail, time management, and the ability to meet deadlines effectively.

·        Eligibility to work in the U.S. required.

L’Alliance New York’s Preschool is located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. Our mission is to provide a joyful entry into the French language and culture, combining the best of the école maternelle and American preschool experience to help each child reach his/her full potential. 

Generous Benefits

·        Generous vacation package.

·        Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance Plans with shared employee-employer contributions

·        403(b) Savings Plan (L’Alliance New York is matching up to 5% after 2 years).

·        Complimentary L’Alliance New York Membership and Discounts.

·        Free French Classes.

·        Pre-tax benefits, including Commuter Benefit Plan (CBP) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA).

TO APPLY:  

Please submit a resume, cover letter, and 2 references to Emelyne Maroufi, People & Culture Business Partner at emaroufi@lallianceny.org.  

PLEASE NOTE: Due to the large number of applicants we receive, we will only be able to contact those that we would like to meet for interviews. 

L’Alliance New York is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, marital status, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, citizenship status protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.