Interim Director of Early Childhood

The 14th Street Y is a vibrant Jewish Community Center located in downtown Manhattan grounded in the belief that contemporary Jewish sensibilities and culture can be a source of inspiration, connection, and learning. Each year, tens of thousands of New Yorkers of all ages, races, and ethnicities come to 14Y as members, visitors, or partners to experience our high-quality and varied programs centered around arts and culture, early childhood education, summer camps, fitness and aquatics, and older adult services. 14Y is committed to the development of the whole person, to strengthening family connections, and to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment to downtown New York's entire community.

JOB PURPOSE

14Y's early childhood division consists of:

• 14Y Preschool, which currently serves approximately 60 children in 5 classes, ages 2 - 5 with 15 teachers and 4 administrative staff. The school is inspired by Reggio Emilia approach to early childhood education and guided by Jewish culture and values
• The Infant and Toddler Center offers many programs and classes supporting young children, parents, and caregivers, including Prelude to Preschool.

With energy, organization, and effective communication skills, the Interim Early Childhood Director will foster a positive, collaborative culture by supporting educators and families in the community. The Interim Director will ensure the program creatively nurtures each child's physical, social, emotional, spiritual, and cognitive development, reflecting the vision and values of the 14th Street Y.

The Interim Director is responsible for fostering collaboration, team-building, and professional development for our highly competent staff, and works with the senior leadership of the Y to manage a strong business plan for the Early Childhood department, including financial management, marketing and recruiting, admissions and ongoing school placement (both public and private), fundraising, and interdepartmental collaboration. The position supervises administrative staff and faculty following best practices, union policies, and regulatory compliance. The Interim Director bears primary responsibility for building strong relationships with, between, and among children, families and staff of the Early Childhood department, and the broader community of the 14th Street Y.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Oversee daily operations of the Early Childhood Division, including supervisory, operational, and senior level administrative tasks
• Maintain policies and procedures for program operation and accountability
• Implement the Early Childhood curriculum in collaboration with the Associate Directors of the division integrating the Reggio Emilia approach and Jewish values, sensibilities, and culture
• Inspire, motivate, supervise, and evaluate an experienced and dedicated faculty as they continue to excel
• Work with teachers and staff to support students with various needs, IEPs, and coordinate necessary specialists, as needed
• Conduct regular faculty meetings, promote collaboration, team building, and peer to peer mentoring, and be a resource on school-wide issues and questions
• Work with teachers on how best to present their curricula to parents on curriculum nights
• Stay current with research and innovations in the area of early childhood education
• Establish and sustain a sense of community through welcoming and supporting parent involvement, promoting retention
• Oversee, collaborate, and support admissions and ongoing school placement, including developing materials and recruitment strategies in collaboration with appropriate colleagues
• Offer program information sessions and tours to parents
• Assist with planning and executing fundraisers such as bake sales, item sales, challah subscriptions, and the annual Parents Night Out event
• Oversee and monitor compliance with city and federal rules and regulations, including safety, Department of Health, union and licensing regulations
• Coordinate the school year calendar in collaboration with the Assistant Director and Administrative Staff
• Track and maintain Early Childhood budget in collaboration with Appropriate Colleagues
• Work with research and evaluation department to organize and track data for evaluation of the program, looking at lead tracking, enrollment, demographics, retention, diversity, etc.
• Work with communications and marketing departments on Brand recognition of our EC program
• Assist with hiring, orienting, and evaluating new faculty as needed
• Participate in agency meetings, including trainings
• View the Early Childhood Division as part of a larger entity, all elements of which commit to advancing the 14Y's mission and values

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Required Knowledge

• College degree required, MA/MS in Early Childhood Education or related field preferred.
• Valid NYS Early Childhood Teaching Certificate.

• Minimum of 6-10 years of professional experience preferred.
• Prior supervision experience required.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to approach tasks that are complex and urgent in a systematic, deliberate, and efficient manner.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and manage multiple priorities and projects effectively.
• Demonstrated ability to handle stressful situations in a professional, courteous and friendly manner.
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, verbal and written communication skills with strength in communicating with faculty, parents, caregivers, learning specialists, support services and ongoing schools.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of records and information.
• Strong knowledge of MS Office Suite, expertise in Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word.

Role Key Competencies

• Drive
• Adaptability
• Communication
• Strategic Ability
• Building Relationships
• Planning and Organizing

Benefits:

• Generous PTO Policy
• Competitive Salary
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Pension Plan
• 403(b) Retirement Plans
• Discount Perks for Movies, Broadway Shows, Amusement Parks, etc.
• Free Gym Membership to our Manny Cantor Center Gym & 14th St Y Gym
• Discounts to programs at Educational Alliance

EEO Info

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or protected veteran status. Educational Alliance takes affirmative action in support of its policy to employ and advance in employment individuals who are minorities, women, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities.