Early Learning Center Director
18 days ago
Nashville
Job Description The Director of the Early Learning Center (ELC) provides the strong, steady leadership needed to guide the center through a period of growth and transition. This role requires a leader with proven business and operational experience, the ability to build a healthy and positive workplace culture, and the expertise to ensure compliance with all DHS regulations. The Director is responsible for sustaining high-quality early learning for children while advancing MOBC’s two-generational (2Gen) model, which supports the success of both children and their families. The successful candidate will be an experienced operator who thrives in fast-paced environments, knows how to stabilize and strengthen teams, and is deeply committed to high-quality programming, staff development, and family engagement. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Essential duties and responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned. Leadership & Culture • Provide clear, consistent leadership that sets high expectations and builds a professional, positive, and collaborative workplace culture., • Lead and motivate staff with compassion, accountability, and transparency, modeling MOBC’s values in daily operations., • Oversee day-to-day operations of the ELC, ensuring smooth scheduling, ratios, and classroom assignments., • Develop and manage budgets, monitor accounts receivable, and maximize revenue through balanced private-pay and voucher enrollment., • Maintain full enrollment and staffing levels; recruit and retain highly qualified staff and families., • Ensure classrooms and facilities are fully equipped to meet DHS, accreditation, and program quality standards., • Ensure compliance with all DHS regulations, Metro/State contracts, and MOBC policies., • Lead the ELC toward maintaining and exceeding NAEYC and DHS quality standards., • Prepare for and manage external audits, monitoring visits, and inspections with professionalism and accuracy., • Hire, supervise, and coach the Assistant Director, lead teachers, teachers, and support staff., • Create systems for staff training, onboarding, and professional development., • Provide clear expectations, performance management, and regular feedback to ensure program quality and staff growth., • Build strong partnerships with families, creating a welcoming and supportive environment that encourages parent involvement., • Connect families to MOBC’s 2Gen services such as adult education, workforce development, and family success programming. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. • Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Business Administration, or related field (Master’s degree preferred)., • Minimum of 5 years of leadership experience in early childhood education, with proven success in program operations., • Tennessee Early childhood Program Administrator Credential (TECPAC)., • Strong business management skills, including budget oversight, staffing, and enrollment management., • Demonstrated ability to navigate DHS regulations and maintain program compliance., • Experience building positive staff culture and leading teams through transition and growth., • Excellent communication, problem-solving, and relationship-building skills. Knowledge and Abilities: • Strong knowledge of child development, particularly as it relates to children and families living in poverty., • Knowledge of State of Tennessee Child Care Licensing, NAEYC Accreditation standards, and the Department of Education Pre-K standards and Early Learning Development Standards., • Ability to develop and read a budget and financial reports, including the ability to calculate figures, interest, proportions, and percentages., • Strong interpersonal skills; excellent customer service skills., • Excellent verbal and written communication skills., • Maintains credibility through sincerity, honesty, and discretion., • Builds and maintains positive relationships with internal and external constituents., • Ability to plan and direct the work of others., • Strong organizational skills., • Strong time management skills; uses time effectively; consistently meets deadlines., • Maintains a high level of confidentiality regarding sensitive information., • Documents regularly, thoroughly, accurately, and completely., • High level of detail and accuracy., • Exercises good and consistently fair judgment, courtesy, and tact in dealing with the staff and public in giving and obtaining information., • Ability to think critically and act independently, particularly under stressful situations., • Ability to find, manipulate, and interpret data effectively to inform programming decisions., • Ability to translate data into understandable documents/presentations., • Ability to communicate complex ideas.