Senior Director of Early Childhood Programs

YMCA of Catawba Valley•Hickory, NC

7d•$65,000 - $70,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Director of Early Childhood Programs provides strategic leadership and association-wide oversight for all YMCA early childhood programs, including licensed preschool, half-day preschool, and related summer programming. This role ensures high-quality, consistent, and compliant program operations through the supervision of site leaders, alignment of program and operational standards, oversight of licensing and regulatory requirements, and use of performance data to guide continuous improvement. The Senior Director works closely with the Vice President of Youth Development, branch leadership, and other senior leaders to strengthen program quality, enrollment, family experience, financial performance, and operational excellence across all early childhood services.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in Birth-Kindergarten, Early Childhood, or Childhood Education, Human Services, Business Management or related field required.
Minimum of five years of experience as a child care director, assistant director, curriculum coordinator, or other administrator in early childhood programs.
Experience with administration and/or reporting of Child and Adult Care Food Program.
Background must include strong skills in human relations, sound fiscal management, program compliance, program management, and staff supervision and development.
Experience leading teams and building systems for large-scale early childhood programs.
Ability to collaborate with leadership across multiple locations and association staff to support program growth and sustainability.
Knowledge of early childhood development, developmentally appropriate practice, and state QRIS systems.
Understanding of staffing structures, program budgets, and enrollment management in early childhood programs.
Mastery of NC DCDEE licensing requirements, CACFP/SFSP, sanitation and safety protocols.
Strong leadership skills, experience managing teams, providing coaching and feedback, and supporting program and professional growth.
Ability to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing, including the ability to clearly document program observations and operational issues.
Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple programs and priorities simultaneously.
Proficient computer skills, including Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and other software programs.
Position requires travel throughout Burke, Catawba, and Lincoln Counties using a personal vehicle.
Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills with the ability to assess challenges and provide effective solutions.
Ability to design, support, and evaluate engaging and effective early childhood programs.
Ability to lead and support multiple early childhood programs across several locations.
Ability to coach and support program directors while maintaining clear expectations and accountability.
Strong ability to manage staffing, program operations, and family engagement challenges effectively.
Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with staff, families, branch leadership, and community partners.
Ability to balance operational oversight with strategic program development.
High level of energy, creativity, and enthusiasm for working with staff, children, and families.
Strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Ability to work independently while also contributing to the YMCA leadership team.
Serves as a member of YMCA leadership and supports the overall objectives of the YMCA.

Responsibilities

Recruit, hire, onboard, supervise, coach, and evaluate Preschool Directors, Childcare Directors, and other assigned early childhood leadership staff.
Hold Preschool Directors, Childcare Directors, and other assigned leaders accountable for program performance, operational execution, staff development, regulatory compliance, enrollment, financial performance, and family experience within their assigned programs.
In collaboration with the Vice President of Youth Development and other senior leaders, establish leadership meeting rhythms, professional development priorities, and accountability structures for early childhood program leaders.
Provide strategic leadership and association-wide oversight for all YMCA early childhood programs, including licensed preschool, half-day preschool, and related summer programming.
Establish and monitor association-wide systems, standards, and expectations for program quality, curriculum alignment, staffing, compliance, safety, family experience, and operational consistency across all early childhood programs.
Provide leadership for the development, alignment, and continuous improvement of the YMCA’s early childhood program model to ensure consistency across branches, counties, and program types.
Develop and oversee year-at-a-glance planning tools and timelines for early childhood programming to ensure deadlines are met and planning remains aligned with YMCA priorities.
Oversee compliance with NC Child Care Rules and other applicable regulations by ensuring effective systems are in place for licensing readiness, sanitation, documentation, monitoring, corrective action, and continuous quality improvement across all sites.
Oversee the administration and monitoring of CACFP systems and requirements, including internal processes, accountability measures, and coordination with support staff to ensure accuracy, compliance, and operational effectiveness.
Collaborate with compliance, finance, HR, and other association support teams to ensure early childhood programs meet licensing, sanitation, safety, staffing, and operational expectations.
Establish, monitor, and analyze key performance indicators across early childhood programs, including enrollment, capacity utilization, staffing alignment, family retention, compliance trends, budget performance, and other operational measures; use data to guide planning, accountability, resource allocation, and strategies that strengthen growth, sustainability, enrollment, retention, and overall program effectiveness.
Provide leadership and oversight for the development, maintenance, and administration of early childhood and related summer program budgets across the association; monitor revenue and expenses, support forecasting and planning, ensure responsible stewardship of resources, and make recommendations to strengthen financial performance and long-term sustainability.
Provide leadership and oversight for Pre-K and Kindergarten summer camp programs operated within early childhood program areas, including planning expectations, staffing models, readiness timelines, and operational alignment.
Establish and monitor expectations for strong family engagement, communication, and service across early childhood programs, ensuring systems are in place to promote responsiveness, consistency, trust, and a high-quality family experience.
Build and maintain strong relationships with branch leadership, regulatory agencies, community partners, and other stakeholders to support program success, visibility, and sustainability.
Provide leadership and accountability for annual campaign performance within assigned program areas, including achievement of assigned campaign goals, active engagement of staff in campaign efforts, participation in donor cultivation and stewardship, and serving as a storyteller and ambassador for the YMCA’s mission and impact.
Requires the use of a personal vehicle to travel throughout the YMCA of Catawba Valley Association. Program assignments and support needs are subject to change based on organizational priorities.
Ensures all staff understand and volunteers understand and comply with YMCA abuse prevention policies, actively monitors staff interactions with participants, addresses boundary violations, and ensures prompt reporting of concerns in accordance with YMCA policy and state law.
Act as Manager on Duty (MOD) as assigned.
Perform other duties as assigned.