Child Development Center (CDC) Director - Fargo

Jeremiah Program•Fargo, ND

About The Position

The Child Development Center (CDC) Director guides day-to-day center operations and builds a relationship-rich, data-informed culture that supports child development. The Director maintains a safe, healthy, and inclusive learning environment, supports the growth of enrolled children, and ensures operations reflect the mission, values, vision, and purpose of the child development program. The role ensures compliance with center requirements, coaches and develops educators, and maintains a strong understanding of classroom practices, family needs, and center operations. In partnership with Jeremiah Program leadership, the Director uses data, feedback, and collaborative problem-solving to design a center responsive to single mothers and their children. The ideal candidate has experience managing an early childhood center and familiarity with North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services childcare regulations. Jeremiah Program is a national organization working to disrupt the cycle of poverty for single mothers and their children, two generations at a time. It invests in mothers’ personal and professional goals and their children’s education. In 2026, the organization served more than 3,000 mothers and children across nine cities. The position requires a bachelor’s degree in education or a closely related field; a master’s degree is preferred. Candidates need at least three years of experience managing others and at least two years coaching others toward goals, preferably in educational settings. The candidate must possess or be willing to obtain the required CDC director certification and credentials. The salary range for people entering the role is typically $80,000–$91,000, commensurate with relevant experience and qualifications and aligned with internal equity. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, and supplemental benefits, retirement plans, and paid time off.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in education or a closely related field required; a master’s degree is preferred.
At least 3 years of experience managing others, preferably in an educational setting.
At least 2 years of experience coaching others toward goals, preferably in an educational setting.
Possess or be willing to obtain the required CDC director certification and credentials.
Passion for the Jeremiah Program mission and belief in the role of its early childhood educational model in fulfilling that mission.
Strong instructional leadership, classroom observation, and culture-building skills, including ability to assess lesson quality and support developmentally appropriate, individualized teaching.
Ability to use assessments and classroom data to support children’s progress toward age-appropriate social, emotional, and academic benchmarks.
Ability to build a positive, collaborative staff culture through clear expectations, recognition, constructive feedback, and individualized coaching.
Ability to engage others around shared priorities, organize work effectively, and follow through on commitments.
Professional maturity, humility, strong work ethic, sense of humor, and a hands-on attitude.
Clear, timely, responsive written and verbal communication skills, including active listening and the ability to navigate challenging conversations calmly and constructively.
Ability to build trust across lines of difference, respect families’ and colleagues’ cultures and perspectives, and reflect on the effects of identity, bias, and power in early childhood settings.
Ability to build and manage trusting, productive relationships with families, teachers, children, and other key stakeholders.
Continuous growth mindset, including seeking, reflecting on, and acting on feedback and applying professional learning to improve practice.
Knowledge of community resources and ability to leverage them for the benefit of the CDC.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and accurate data entry, and ability to learn and use administrative, licensing, curriculum, assessment, and communication systems effectively.
Familiarity with North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services childcare regulations is identified as ideal.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in education or a closely related field.
Experience managing an early childhood center.
Familiarity with North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services childcare regulations.
Management and coaching experience in an educational setting.

Responsibilities

Ensure CDC operations run smoothly and efficiently, with clear procedures, accurate documentation, and consistent compliance with licensing, health, safety, and supervision requirements.
Prepare staff schedules, manage classroom ratios and time-off requests equitably, and coordinate communication and coverage for teacher absences; substitute in the classroom when needed.
Develop and manage the annual program budget with the Executive Director, track finances accurately, and steward resources responsibly.
Recruit and enroll families, maintain enrollment records, and work toward CDC enrollment goals.
Collect, record, analyze, and report required program data, including attendance and developmental progress, and ensure teachers maintain accurate, timely, confidential records.
Leverage volunteer and partnership resources that support CDC operations when applicable.
Manage CDC finances, including collecting and recording family payments, coordinating with families and Family Services on subsidies and funding, and collaborating with the Campus Support Team Finance Team on tuition billing.
Maintain the Parent Aware quality rating, track progress toward re-rating goals, and prepare documentation and submissions.
Lead and oversee the instructional and developmental program through classroom observations and review of teaching practices, teacher-child interactions, and learning environments.
Lead the center toward performance goals established by center leaders and the Senior Vice President of Family Programming, supporting each child’s progress in alignment with developmental needs.
Analyze assessment results, classroom observations, and other program data with teachers to identify patterns and adjust instructional strategies.
Ensure required and recommended assessments are completed and communicate clearly and promptly with families about children’s development, progress, and support needs.
Build trusting relationships with families across lines of difference, listen without judgment, and coach CDC staff in responsive, culturally respectful communication and collaborative problem-solving.
Serve as a liaison between families and CDC staff as needed.
Conduct required ASQ screenings and partner with teaching staff and families to develop, implement, and review individualized growth plans.
Recruit, onboard, and supervise CDC staff, setting expectations and procedures that support Second-Generation programming goals and licensing requirements.
Formally supervise, observe, and evaluate center staff, including classroom teachers, a classroom float, and a Center Coach, using clear expectations and evidence from practice.
Coach and develop staff through weekly coaching meetings and classroom observations, providing specific feedback, modeling skills as needed, and following up on development goals.
Maintain clear, timely, objective records of staff feedback, observation data, development goals, and progress in the central tracker.
Monitor implementation of the approved curriculum and ensure timely, developmentally appropriate lesson plans use child data and interests to differentiate learning.
Ensure teachers have the knowledge, skills, and resources needed for effective instruction.
Partner with Second-Generation leadership to strengthen staff knowledge and competencies and support teachers in applying feedback and professional learning.
Facilitate focused teaching team meetings with clear agendas and follow-through to strengthen collaboration, address classroom and operational needs, and ensure quality service delivery and regulatory compliance.
Model Jeremiah Program core values and build a positive, inclusive, collaborative culture by recognizing staff contributions, inviting feedback, and reflecting on identity and power in relationships and decisions.
Collaborate with campus and Campus Support Team leaders to provide strategic leadership and develop, communicate, and implement policies and procedures that advance CDC operations and coordinate services for families.
Work with the Executive Director and Campus Support Team leaders to identify challenges and develop practical solutions responsive to families’ needs.
Communicate program outcomes and input from participants, staff, and volunteers to inform local and national program decisions.
Maintain regular, timely communication with Jeremiah Program mothers and campus leaders, share relevant updates, seek perspectives, and respond to concerns.
Educate internal and external stakeholders about CDC programs and needs through clear, responsive communication.
Develop and maintain productive relationships with program partners and community resources to support families and center needs.
Stay informed about emerging policy issues and environmental, governmental, and community trends and consider their implications for CDC operations and families.