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Come join The Gateway Family YMCA - Youth Development Branch located in Elizabeth, NJ, as our new Child Development Director!
Job Description
Join The Gateway Family YMCA – Elizabeth Branch staff team. Located in Elizabeth, New Jersey, the Elizabeth Branch is a full-service facility with an exciting future on the horizon. Currently serving over 3,200 members, the Elizabeth Branch hosts services within the areas of Youth & Teens, Aquatics, Preschool & School Age Childcare and Summer Day Camp.
The Gateway Family YMCA Youth Development Branch is a high-quality early childhood education center dedicated to fostering youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. As part of our commitment to excellence, we participate in Grow NJ Kids to ensure continuous quality improvement and high-quality learning experiences for children and families. We seek a passionate leader who upholds our core YMCA values while ensuring program excellence and strong collaboration.
The Child Development Director will provide leadership and oversee the day-to-day operations for our YMCA Child Development Center with a focus on program quality, enrichment and value. Responsibilities will include program growth and retention, staff development, curriculum implementation, Grow NJ Kids implementation, budget management and State Licensing requirements. This position supports the work of the Y, a leading nonprofit committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in early childhood, Child Development or related field. Must meet Director level and head teacher level licensing requirements.
- Experience in early childhood education with at least 2 years’ experience in a leadership role.
- Ability to relate effectively to diverse groups of people from all social and economic backgrounds.
- Knowledge of Grow NJ Kids and early childhood quality rating systems.
- Creativity and strong commitment to program quality and participant engagement.
- High ability to recruit, retain and coach staff, while fostering a positive team atmosphere.
- Familiarity with New Jersey childcare licensing regulations and accreditation processes.
- Strong leadership, communication, administrative and organizational skills.
- Ability to manage a team, resolve conflicts and create a mission-driven work culture.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Publisher and Excel.
- Experience working with government agencies and subsidy is a plus.
- Bi-lingual in English and Spanish is strongly recommended.
Essential Functions
- Recruit, hire and mentor early childhood staff and administrators, offering support through staff development, coaching, and conducting performance evaluations.
- Facilitate regularly scheduled staff training with the focus on Grow NJ Kids standards, licensing requirements, curriculum implementation, and best practices in early childhood education.
- Oversee curriculum implementation, supporting teachers in lesson planning, child assessments, and implementing developmentally appropriate practices and alignment to best practice with Grow NJ Kids, YMCA early learning philosophy, and state learning standards.
- Monitor the daily staff schedule to ensure all State Licensing ratios and YMCA policies are being followed. Substitute in the classroom, if needed to maintain appropriate ratios.
- Serve as a point of contact for parents, fostering strong communication and trust.
- Plan and facilitate family engagement activities and workshops in alignment with Grow NJ Kids and YMCA goals.
- Build partnerships with community organizations, schools, and YMCA programs to support families and enhance early childhood services.
- Handle parent concerns and resolve conflicts professionally, reinforcing YMCA principles of inclusivity and service.
- Monitor and track government subsidy program to ensure participant compliance and procedures are being followed.
- Maintain a well-equipped, engaging, and welcoming learning environment.
- Manage budgets, tuition collection, and center expenses to ensure financial sustainability. Support the Annual Campaign with scheduled fundraisers and events.
- Partner with the Sr. Director to monitor overall program operations, equipment, files and facilities to adhere to all local, state and YMCA regulations. Review and update procedures and communicate changes as needed.
- Collaborate with YMCA leadership and nonprofit stakeholders on funding, enrollment growth, and marketing efforts.
- Ensure proper stewardship of YMCA resources and financial accountability.
Cause-Driven Leadership Competencies
Mission Advancement: Accept and demonstrate the Ys values. Demonstrate a desire to serve others and fulfill community needs. Recruit and build effective, supportive relationships with volunteers. Support fundraising.
Collaboration: Work effectively with people of different backgrounds, abilities, opinions and perceptions. Build rapport with staff, members and community partners to advance the mission of the YMCA. Use Listen First skills to seek understanding and meaning through in person and written communication methods. Take initiative to assist in the development of others.
Operational Effectiveness: Make sound judgments, and transfer learning from one situation to another. Embrace new approaches and discover ideas to improve member experience. Establish goals, clarify tasks, plan work and actively participate in meetings. Strive to meet or exceed goals and deliver a high-value experience for members.
Personal Growth: Pursue self-development that enhances job performance. Demonstrate an openness to change and seek opportunities within that change process. Accurately assess personal feelings, strengths and limitations and how they impact relationships. Have the functional and technical knowledge and skills required to perform well. Use best practices and demonstrate up-to-date knowledge and skills.