Director of Early Childhood Programs (UPK)

82ND STREET ACADEMICS•New York, NY

20d•$80,000 - $90,000•Onsite

About The Position

82nd Street Academics (82SA) is a growing, mission-driven nonprofit advancing educational equity and preparing students and families for success from early childhood through adulthood. With multiple sites across Queens, we deliver innovative academic programs and wraparound family and youth services that bridge opportunity gaps and empower families through holistic education and community partnerships. Our vision is a Queens where every child—regardless of language, background, or income—has equitable access to joyful, high-quality learning experiences that unlock their fullest potential. Our mission is to equip students and families with the academic, social, and emotional foundations to thrive in school and in life. We do this by building inclusive programs that integrate rigorous instruction, CASEL-aligned social-emotional learning, and family empowerment, ensuring that each learner is seen, supported, and celebrated. 82nd Street Academics seeks an experienced, mission-driven leader to serve as Early Childhood Programs Director, overseeing program quality, development, and staff support across Early Childhood, Afterschool, Summer, Youth Leadership, and Family Engagement programs. This senior leadership role provides direct oversight of the UPK program while driving organizational consistency, compliance, professional learning, and strategic innovation across all sites.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required; master’s preferred (Education, Early Childhood, Leadership, Nonprofit Management, or related field).
NYS certification in Early Childhood, SBL, or SDL preferred.
5–7+ years of leadership experience in Early Childhood or K–12 multi-site program management.
Deep knowledge of NYC DOE UPK standards, compliance systems, and quality frameworks.
Demonstrated success in staff supervision, operational excellence, compliance management, and program innovation.
Excellent interpersonal, communication, and coaching skills.
Commitment to equity, inclusion, and family-centered education.
Bachelor's degree in early childhood education or related field (master's preferred).
NYS certification in Early Childhood, School Building Leadership, or School District Leadership.
Minimum 5 years of leadership experience in early childhood or K–12 settings.
Strong organizational, communication, and coaching skills.
Knowledge of NYC DOE UPK operations and compliance standards preferred.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual candidates (English/Spanish or other Queens-community languages) are strongly encouraged to apply.
Individuals from historically marginalized communities and those with lived experience in Queens are strongly encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

Direct all UPK program quality, compliance, operations, and DOE/NYS standards.
Supervise and coach teachers, instructional leads, and support staff.
Lead family engagement, enrollment, attendance, and community outreach.
Ensure an inclusive, high-quality learning environment that meets DOE and DOH expectations.
Oversee program development, instructional quality, and compliance across all 82SA sites.
Align all programs with MTSS, SEL, and 82SA’s Strategic Joy framework.
Support Site Directors and program managers through coaching, observation, and data-driven improvement cycles.
Implement consistent systems for curriculum, safety, documentation, and program quality assurance.
Lead the design and execution of organization-wide training, coaching, and staff evaluation systems.
Strengthen staff culture grounded in equity, joy, and continuous improvement.
Cultivate emerging leaders and ensure pathways for growth and retention.
Partner with the COO to build and refine HR processes, onboarding systems, and performance management structures.
Ensure consistency and accountability across workflows, policies, data systems, and compliance standards.
Collaborate with Finance and Operations teams to align staffing and budgetary priorities with programmatic goals.
Serve as a primary liaison to DOE, DOH, DYCD, school partners, and community organizations.
Lead site visits, audits, and reporting requirements for all programs.
Represent 82SA in external forums, partnerships, and collaborative initiatives to strengthen visibility and impact.