Center Director

Position Title: Center Director/Lead Teacher

Employee Type: Full- Time Regular

Supervisor Title: Program Director or Assistant Program Director

Division: Head Start, U.S. Programs

Save the Children

For over 100 years, Save the Children has been fighting for the rights of children. The right to a healthy start in life. To have access to education. To be in a safe environment, protected from harm. We work in some of the world's hardest-to-reach places - over 100 countries, including the U.S. No matter what your role is, when you join Save the Children, you're creating positive, irreversible change for children, and the future we all share.

The Role

This position is responsible for the general and day-to-day operations of a Head Start/Early Head Start center or cluster of outlying centers. You will be responsible for providing coverage to multiple classrooms, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations; communicating with parents and the community; and supervising and monitoring all staff assigned to the center(s). The Center Director may be reassigned to various centers as deemed necessary for program operations.

As a front-line representative of Save the Children, Center Directors are required to ensure the safety and security of children and families that he/she comes into contact with, adhering to the agency's values of Accountability, Ambition, Collaboration, Creativity, and Integrity.

What You'll Be Doing (Essential Duties)

*not inclusive of all role responsibilities. May be subject to change

Hire and coach staff; facilitate resolution of conflicts; encourage and support professional development opportunities; develop and monitor center and staff schedules.
Oversee staff in the monitoring, control, and review of budgets, identification and interpretation of Head Start and community needs, conformance to Performance Standards, and other regulatory requirements.
Conduct regular staff meetings, arrange staff training, set job standards/goals, and monitor/provide ongoing feedback for performance improvement and appraisals.
Work with all center staff to ensure quality teaching and learning environments, and work with content area managers/specialists/coordinators to plan and implement pre-service and ongoing in-service for cooks, teachers, assistant teachers, and program aides.
Track and monitor staff attendance, including verification of timesheets.
Arrange for family days, staff workdays, fairs, and events, as well as work with Family Service Coordinators, center staff, and families to plan and implement monthly center parent meetings; take the lead in arranging Family Nights and Parent Committee meetings.
Perform systems evaluation and development, and ensure adequate systems are in place to maintain the highest quality of service to children and families in compliance with Head Start Performance Standards; ensure consistency in service delivery across programs.
Responsible for monthly safety checks, annual safety inspections, and completion of licensing requirements.
Report any child or staff incidents.
Monitor employee on-site filing requirements; assist with the fiscal management of the center, including cost allocations; assist in the identification, purchase, and annual inventory of center supplies and equipment.
Monitor Child Plus for timely and accurate data input of children and family information.
Lead the center's process through state licensing, Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS), and special accreditation (including but not limited to National Association for the Education of Young Children - NAEYC)
Perform other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in early childhood development or related field, plus at least two (2) years of relevant experience
Proven work experience in a position that directly relates to the implementation and monitoring of program operations.
Demonstrated knowledge of program planning and practices in infant/toddler and preschool center-based programs, with a thorough knowledge of Head Start Performance Standards and best practices related to early childhood education.
Proven knowledge of general business practices, including supervision, accounts payable, inventory control, and risk management.
Demonstrated ability to communicate and collaborate successfully with individuals and teams at all levels, whether internal or external
Proven ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with agency staff, children, parents, and outside agencies.
Professional proficiency in spoken and written English
Professional proficiency in the MS Office suite
Demonstrated ability to successfully oversee and operate the day-to-day program in compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations.
Demonstrated successful time management, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
Professional proficiency in spoken and written English
Demonstrated ability to successfully communicate and collaborate with individuals and teams at all levels-whether internal or external-in the provision of high-quality services to children and families
Demonstrated successful interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills; great problem-solving and time management skills.
Demonstrated ability to follow established and communicated directions and take initiative
Demonstrated knowledge of the purpose of the Head Start/Early Head Start program.
Proven ability to relate sensitively to children.
Proven ability to keep all required information strictly confidential.
Must participate in professional development training, including basic first aid and pediatric CPR certification, as required by state licensing and HSPPS.
Demonstrated commitment to fostering an environment of diversity, inclusion, and belonging
Must adhere to state administrative requirements
Preferred Qualifications

Bilingual preferred (English/Spanish or English and other languages used by children and families).

Additional Qualifications

Physical Requirements related to essential functions:

Ability to perform medium to heavy physical work, exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, up to 20 pounds frequently, and up to 5-10 pounds constantly, performing such activities as sitting, crawling, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, and grasping. This also includes some duties that require repetitive action and motion skills, keyboarding, and computer use.

Clear pre-employment background check requirements, including local, state, and national criminal records check, sex offender registries, employment, and education verifications (including child abuse registry check if required by state regulations), and pass all state and local health requirements required post-job offer and prior to employment.

This position may require the incumbent to operate a motor vehicle to fulfill certain essential functions of the job. The incumbent should maintain a valid driver's license and remain in compliance with any Save the Children policies pertaining to the safe operation of motor vehicles.
Current and former Head Start/Early Head Start parents will receive preference for employment vacancies for which they are qualified.
Compensation

The base pay for this position starts at $53,770. Actual base salary may vary based upon, but not limited to, experience, credentials, base salary of internal peers and other relevant qualifications specific to the role.

About Us

We are looking to build an inclusive team at Save the Children. We offer a range of outstanding benefits to support this goal:

Paid time off: 10 days winter break and 5 days spring break, 5 personal days, 11 holidays plus 2 floating holidays per year.
Health: Competitive health care, dental, and vision coverage for you and your family. Employer-paid short-term disability and long-term disability benefits.
Health Savings Accounts (HSA): Option to select HSA if enrolled in a High-Deductible Health Plan in which the company matches a portion of the contribution.
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA): Option to enroll in health care and dependent care options.
Life: Agency-paid life and accidental death and dismemberment benefits (AD&D).
Family: Parental/adoption, fertility benefits
Employee Rewards Program: Annual merit increases and/or additional incentives for eligible employees
Retirement: Retirement savings plan with employer contributions (after one year)
Wellness: Health benefits and support through Calm and company-hosted events
Employee Assistance Program: Free and confidential assessments, short-term counseling, referrals, and follow-up services
Learning & Growth: Access to internal and external learning & development opportunities and mentorships. Certification and tuition assistance.
Click here to learn more about how Save the Children US will invest in you.

Save the Children is committed to conducting its programs and operations in a manner that is safe for the children it serves and helping protect the children with whom we are in contact. All Save the Children representatives are explicitly prohibited from engaging in any activity that may result in any kind of child abuse.

Save the Children is committed to minimizing safety and security risks for our valued employees, ensuring all are given training, support, and information to reduce their risk exposure while maximizing the impact of our programs for children and families. Our shared duty, both agency and individual, is to seek and maintain safe working conditions for all.

If you require disability assistance with the application or recruitment process, please submit a request to applicantsupport@savechildren.org.

Qualifications
Education Required
Bachelor's or better in Early Childhood Education or related field.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.