Center Director

Save the Children US•Newbern, TN

About The Position

The Center Director/Lead Teacher is responsible for the general and day-to-day operations of a Head Start/Early Head Start center or a cluster of outlying centers. The role provides classroom coverage, ensures compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, communicates with parents and the community, and supervises and monitors center staff. The Center Director may be reassigned to different centers as needed for program operations. As a front-line representative of Save the Children, the Center Director is responsible for ensuring the safety and security of children and families encountered while upholding the agency’s values of Accountability, Ambition, Collaboration, Creativity, and Integrity.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in early childhood development or a related field, plus at least two years of relevant experience.
Work experience directly related to implementing and monitoring program operations.
Knowledge of program planning and practices in infant/toddler and preschool center-based programs, Head Start Performance Standards, and early childhood education best practices.
Knowledge of general business practices, including supervision, accounts payable, inventory control, and risk management.
Ability to communicate and collaborate successfully with individuals and teams at all levels, internally and externally.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with agency staff, children, parents, and outside agencies.
Professional proficiency in spoken and written English.
Professional proficiency in the MS Office suite.
Ability to oversee and operate day-to-day programs in compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.
Successful time-management, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to follow established directions, take initiative, and communicate and collaborate in providing high-quality services to children and families.
Knowledge of the purpose of the Head Start/Early Head Start program.
Ability to relate sensitively to children and keep required information strictly confidential.
Participation in professional development training, including basic first aid and pediatric CPR certification as required by state licensing and HSPPS.
Commitment to fostering an environment of diversity, inclusion, and belonging, and adherence to state administrative requirements.
Ability to meet the physical requirements of medium to heavy work: exerting up to 50 pounds occasionally, 20 pounds frequently, and 5–10 pounds constantly; activities may include sitting, crawling, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, and grasping, as well as repetitive motion, keyboarding, and computer use.
Must clear pre-employment background checks, including applicable criminal records, sex offender registry, employment, education, and child abuse registry checks, and meet state and local health requirements after the job offer and before employment.
May need to operate a motor vehicle for essential job functions; should maintain a valid driver’s license and comply with Save the Children vehicle-operation policies.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual in English and Spanish, or English and another language used by children and families.
For positions in North Carolina, Birth-Kindergarten (B-K) licensure.

Responsibilities

Hire and coach staff, facilitate conflict resolution, support professional development, and develop and monitor center and staff schedules.
Oversee staff monitoring and review of budgets, identification and interpretation of Head Start and community needs, and compliance with Performance Standards and other regulatory requirements.
Conduct staff meetings, arrange training, establish job standards and goals, and provide ongoing feedback for performance improvement and appraisals.
Work with center staff to ensure quality teaching and learning environments, and collaborate with content-area managers, specialists, and coordinators to plan and implement pre-service and ongoing training.
Track and monitor staff attendance, including verification of timesheets.
Arrange family days, staff workdays, fairs, and events; collaborate with Family Service Coordinators, staff, and families on monthly parent meetings; and lead arrangements for Family Nights and Parent Committee meetings.
Evaluate and develop systems to support high-quality services, compliance with Head Start Performance Standards, and consistency across programs.
Complete monthly safety checks, annual safety inspections, and licensing requirements.
Report child or staff incidents.
Monitor employee on-site filing requirements and assist with center fiscal management, cost allocations, supply and equipment purchases, and annual inventory.
Monitor Child Plus to ensure timely and accurate entry of child and family information.
Lead the center through state licensing, the Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS), and special accreditation processes, including NAEYC accreditation.
Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

Paid time off, including 10 days of winter break, 5 days of spring break, 5 personal days, 11 holidays, and 2 floating holidays per year.
Health, dental, and vision coverage for employees and their families.
Employer-paid short- and long-term disability benefits.
Health Savings Account option with an employer match for eligible participants enrolled in a High-Deductible Health Plan.
Flexible Spending Account options for health care and dependent care.
Agency-paid life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance.
Parental, adoption, and fertility benefits.
Annual merit increases and/or additional incentives for eligible employees.
Retirement savings plan with employer contributions after one year.
Wellness benefits and support through Calm and company-hosted events.
Employee Assistance Program with free, confidential assessments, short-term counseling, referrals, and follow-up services.
Internal and external learning and development opportunities, mentorships, certification assistance, and tuition assistance.