Operations Executive, Early Learning (5034)

YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles•Van Nuys, CA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles is seeking an Operations Executive Director, Early Education to plan, manage, and oversee the operations, staffing, budgets, and delivery of preschool and early childhood education programs across assigned locations. This role involves coordinating educational and social services, developing and implementing policies, evaluating program effectiveness, and ensuring compliance with Head Start, Early Head Start, LACOE, licensing, and funding requirements. The Executive Director will collaborate with various specialists to assess program needs, monitor performance, and recommend improvements. Key responsibilities include supervising staff, managing budgets, coordinating documentation and reporting, and fostering relationships with families, community partners, and regulatory agencies to support high-quality services for children and families.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Child Development, Early Childhood Education, Education, Social Work, Public Health, or a related field.
Seven years of diversified program and policy support experience related to educational and social services, including coordination of program services with participants, staff, policy committees, community partners, and other stakeholders.
Three years of management and supervisory experience.
Experience working with federally or state-mandated programs comparable in nature to Early Head Start and Head Start.
Experience coordinating programs, evaluating service delivery, implementing policies and procedures, and monitoring program effectiveness.
Experience with budgets, staffing, compliance monitoring, reporting, and coordination of multidisciplinary program services.
Knowledge of program administration, policy implementation, operational procedures, and regulatory compliance in early childhood education or social services.
Ability to interpret and implement applicable program requirements, organizational policies, licensing regulations, and funding guidelines.
Ability to assess program needs, evaluate operating effectiveness, identify service delivery concerns, and recommend appropriate program or staffing changes.
Strong organizational analytical, problem-solving, communication, and decision-making skills.
Ability to supervise and coordinate assigned staff and collaborate effectively with program specialists and other departments.
Ability to monitor budgets, staffing resources, program data, and performance measures.
Proficiency in program management systems, data entry, reporting tools, and standard office applications.
Ability to maintain confidential information and handle sensitive employee, child, and family records appropriately.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, families, community partners, funding agencies, and regulatory representatives.
Valid Class C California driver’s license and proof of auto liability insurance.
TB test clearance to be renewed every two years.
Current certification in Adult, Child & Infant CPR & AED First Aid or willingness to obtain within 60 days of hire.
Verification of Immunizations required by the California Department of Health (Pertussis, Measles, and Influenza).
DOJ clearance and all other required background checks.
Must possess the physical, visual, and auditory ability to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Must be able to communicate effectively, review and interpret documentation, use standard office equipment and technology, and participate in meetings and site visits.
Must be able to respond appropriately to operational emergencies, safety concerns, and time-sensitive compliance matters.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in a related field is highly desirable.
Bilingual (English/Spanish), preferred.

Responsibilities

Plan, organize, coordinate, and oversee the delivery of preschool and early childhood education programs across assigned locations.
Develop, implement, and maintain program policies, procedures, operational guidelines, and administrative systems.
Evaluate program operations and effectiveness to ensure alignment with organizational goals, funding requirements, applicable regulations, and established performance expectations.
Assess program needs and recommend changes to staffing, service delivery, administrative procedures, and resource allocation.
Develop and implement program work plans, timelines, goals, and performance measures.
Coordinate program activities across assigned locations and address operational issues.
Identify operational challenges and develop recommendations and corrective action plans.
Maintain current knowledge of applicable program requirements and communicate relevant changes.
Provide program updates, recommendations, and reports to the supervising director.
Implement operational procedures that support compliance with Head Start, Early Head Start, LACOE, California Community Care Licensing, California Department of Education, funding agreements, and YMCA policies.
Monitor assigned program areas for compliance with administrative, operational, documentation, and reporting requirements.
Coordinate preparation for audits, monitoring visits, licensing inspections, and other compliance reviews.
Review findings and identified deficiencies with appropriate program leaders and assist in developing, implementing, and monitoring corrective action plans.
Maintain accurate program records, documentation, contracts, and reports.
Ensure required reports and compliance documentation are prepared and submitted accurately and within established deadlines.
Coordinate with education, family services, health, nutrition, disabilities, mental health, and other program specialists to address compliance concerns.
Escalate significant compliance issues, safety concerns, and unresolved deficiencies to the supervising director and appropriate organizational departments.
Support the development and periodic review of program policies and procedures.
Coordinate program operations with education, family services, health, nutrition, disabilities, mental health, and other assigned service areas.
Assess program needs and coordinate with content-area specialists to address service delivery concerns, operational barriers, and changes in program requirements.
Monitor the effectiveness of coordination between program teams and recommend improvements.
Support coordination of family assessment documentation, Family Partnership Agreements, and related family service records.
Coordinate with designated staff regarding enrollment, recruitment, eligibility, attendance, and other program administration responsibilities, including ERSEA functions.
Monitor the program documentation and administrative processes to ensure that required information is maintained accurately and timely.
Collaborate with education and family services teams to promote consistent communication, coordinated services, and effective responses to the needs of children and families.
Support the implementation of program initiatives and service improvements.
Supervise and coordinate the work of assigned supervisory, professional, administrative, and technical staff.
Establish clear work expectations, performance objectives, responsibilities, and accountability measures for assigned employees.
Participate in recruitment, selection, onboarding, training, performance evaluation, and employee development activities.
Assess staffing needs based on enrollment, program requirements, service delivery demands, workload, and applicable staffing regulations.
Recommend staffing adjustments and organizational changes.
Monitor staff performance and provide coaching, feedback, and corrective direction.
Coordinate staff schedules, assignments, and administrative responsibilities.
Identify professional development needs and coordinate required training and staff development opportunities.
Promote a collaborative, inclusive, and professional work environment.
Maintain appropriate confidentiality of personnel matters and consult with Human Resources and the supervising director regarding employee relations concerns.
Assist with the development, management, and monitoring of assigned program budgets.
Monitor expenditures, staffing costs, purchasing activity, and resource utilization.
Review budget variances and recommend adjustments or corrective actions.
Coordinate timely submission of invoices, payment requests, procurement documentation, and other assigned financial records.
Monitor the availability and appropriate use of supplies, equipment, materials, and other resources.
Coordinate with Facilities, Procurement, Finance, and other departments to address program resource needs.
Support compliance with applicable funding restrictions, purchasing procedures, financial controls, and contractual requirements.
Prepare budget updates and resource utilization reports.
Identify opportunities to improve efficiency while maintaining program quality, regulatory compliance, and safe learning environments.
Monitor assigned program data related to enrollment, attendance, eligibility administration, staffing, service delivery, and operational performance.
Support enrollment and funded enrollment objectives.
Ensure accurate and timely data entry, recordkeeping, and reporting within applicable program management systems.
Prepare and maintain required program reports, operational updates, compliance documentation, and performance records.
Review program data to identify trends, operational challenges, service gaps, and opportunities for improvement.
Develop tracking tools and monitoring processes to support accountability, accurate documentation, and timely completion of required activities.
Coordinate the collection and preparation of information needed for audits, grant applications, funding reports, and performance standards reporting.
Present program updates, findings, and recommendations to the supervising director and relevant stakeholders.
Protect confidential child, family, and employee information.
Monitor assigned preschool locations to support safe, clean, and well-maintained facilities.
Coordinate with Facilities, Risk Management, site leadership, and other departments to address repairs, maintenance needs, equipment concerns, and facility improvements.
Support regular facility inspections and ensure identified safety or maintenance concerns are documented and addressed promptly.
Monitor assigned operational procedures related to child supervision, emergency preparedness, health, safety, sanitation, and incident reporting.
Ensure that operational concerns affecting children, families, staff, and visitors are communicated to the appropriate leaders.
Coordinate follow-up on identified deficiencies and support implementation of corrective actions.
Assist with emergency response planning, operational risk mitigation, and continuity of program services.
Uphold YMCA policies concerning child safety, mandated reporting, supervision, confidentiality, and risk management.
Develop and maintain collaborative working relationships with families, community organizations, educational institutions, social service agencies, and other program partners.
Coordinate with family services and education staff to support family engagement and access to appropriate community resources.
Collaborate with community partners to support comprehensive services for children and families.
Participate in meetings, planning sessions, and community activities related to program operations and service coordination.
Identify opportunities to strengthen community partnerships and improve access to services.
Promote culturally responsive, inclusive, and family-centered practices.
Communicate program needs, operational updates, and service coordination concerns to appropriate stakeholders.
Evaluate program operations, service delivery, and administrative processes to determine effectiveness and identify opportunities for improvement.
Establish and monitor program performance measures, benchmarks, and timelines.
Analyze program reports and operational data to identify trends, staffing needs, compliance concerns, and service delivery gaps.
Recommend program, policy, staffing, or administrative changes based on identified needs and performance results.
Develop and monitor improvement plans to address identified deficiencies and strengthen program outcomes.
Coordinate with program specialists and relevant departments to implement operational improvements and standardize effective practices.
Monitor progress toward established goals and communicate outcomes, barriers, and recommendations to program leadership.
Support implementation of new systems, procedures, and program initiatives.
Attend staff meetings and training as required.
Uphold YMCA policies for safety, supervision, mandated reporting and risk management.
Demonstrate the Six Pillars of Character and YMCA Core Values.
Demonstrate competencies in cause-driven leadership areas.