Early Learning Center Regional Manager (TN,MS,&AR)

Leadership/Supervision 

• Communicate to the region (TN, MS & AR) the company’s goals, priorities, progress and accomplishments. Provide a channel for Center Directors and staff input.
• Establish and communicate a regional strategy, which allows Center Directors to develop and achieve goals in conjunction with annual company goals. 
• Establish a plan for center visits (TN. MS, AR). Develop a consistent schedule to assess goal achievement, program evaluation and to audit operating systems. 
• Hold Center Directors accountable for meeting operational objectives and budgeted financial performance of the location. 
• Oversee implementation of company initiatives. 
• Ensure that Center Directors implement operating policies and procedures within time requirements.
• Assist Center Directors in assessing, prioritizing, advocating for, and allocating resources.
• Collaborate with corporate departments and with the Division Vice President on the development and implementation of programs and systems that represent the field perspective. 

Human Resources 

• Establish and maintain a culture in keeping with the fundamental association values.  Develop a cohesive team among Center Directors in the region. 
• Make Center Director selection a priority, with thoughtful consideration of location, regional and company demands. 
• In partnership with the SVP Early Learning, take responsibility for Center Director orientation and ongoing training. In partnership with the Field Education & Training Specialist, design orientation based on an individual Center  Director and on center needs according to established association guidelines. 
• Establish and implement professional development goals with Center Directors. Ensure that expectations are clear and that performance standards are met. 
• In partnership with HR, oversee the implementation of a regional recruitment and retention plan that addresses the short and long-range needs of centers in the region. 
• In partnership with HR, develop and implement regional succession plans that identify and develop future leaders within the YMCA of Memphis and The Mid-South diverse workforce. 
• Support Center Directors in the development of skills, which will enable them to manage employee relations, counseling and termination. Will be required to travel to sites (TN, MS & AR) to assist with employee relations issues.
• Conduct annual job performance appraisals based on established goals and job descriptions. 
• Ensure that Center Directors conduct timely job performance appraisals for their employees. 
• Ensure the implementation of awards and recognition programs. 
• Guide and support a regional group of staff to identify and support community and workplace culture initiatives.
• Convene this regional committee monthly through a hybrid of virtual and in-person meetings. 
• Develop a regional training plan/calendar in partnership with the Field Education and  Training Specialist. 

Financial 

• Ensure that financial goals for division are met. 
• Develop location budgets that meet revenue and earnings targets. 
• Forecast trends and analyze variances to determine appropriate operational adjustments (labor, controllables, FTE’s). 
• Demonstrate knowledge of external market rates for tuition and salaries and make recommendations based on analysis. 
• Assure that centers provide accurate and timely financial reporting. 
• Monitor location tuition collection efforts to sustain a zero accounts receivable balance. 
• Ensure financial understanding at the center level that will link the budget and financial reports to operational activities. 
• Understand lease summaries and deal structures for all contracts in the division. Ensure that charges, changes, and reports are accurate and timely. 
• Develop Monthly Operations Reports (MOR) and submit them to SVP Early Learning Program 
• Meet or exceed accreditation or quality rating expectations according to association goals and contract requirements at the centers.
• Champion implementation of educational, training and family communication initiatives and consistently strive for program innovation and excellence. 
• Ensure that association quality program standards are implemented, and appropriate resources are utilized. 
• Evaluate the center’s level of quality and work with the Center Directors and staff to develop a plan for continuous improvement. 
• Facilitate the sharing of best practices in the division. 

Professionalism 

• Positively communicate the association‘s goals, philosophies, and policies to families, staff, clients and community. 
• Attend and actively participate in Regional Manager meetings, divisional and association functions, and trainings. 
• Establish relationships with the local early childhood community and ensure active YMCA Memphis and The Mid-South representation with relevant early childhood community groups, tasking senior center directors to participate as a professional growth opportunity. 
• Practice confidentiality in all matters regarding staff, family, client and company information. 
• Continue ongoing professional development. Share information and expertise. 
• Develop productive and positive relationships with peers, branches, and other YMCA  Memphis and The Mid-South office personnel. 

Marketing and Retention 

• Develop marketing and retention plans and ensure their implementation in collaboration with the marketing department. 
• Ensure that Center Directors and staff understand and demonstrate the link between the marketing objectives and operational activities (answering the phone, tours, location and community events, drop-in care, and curb appeal). 
• Support the Center Director’s understanding and implementation of marketing initiatives and maximize the usage of collateral materials. 
• Hold Center Directors accountable to meet budgeted enrollment goals.
• Lead effort to create public relations opportunities. Monitor and analyze family departures. Implement retention strategies. 
• Partner with the Enrollment Management to support the family experience from inquiry to registration to enrollment.  

Family Communication 

• Model customer service excellence and help the Center Directors to proactively create solutions to meet family needs. 
• Oversee the utilization of association tools to measure critical moments in families’ enrollment and ongoing family satisfaction. Facilitate responsive solutions. (e.g. 6-week questionnaire, child transitions, family departures.) 
• Be present at center family functions (e.g. Parent Partnership Groups, potluck dinners, and family meetings.) 
• Oversee annual family survey process in the region and develop and communicate a plan of action with Center Directors for location issues identified. 
• Represent and support the association in the resolution of family complaints. Sponsor Relationships / Company. 

Growth Strategy 

• Develop and sustain a strategic partnership with our sponsors and board. Analyze and anticipate sponsor financial needs and monitor sponsor economics. Proactively offer responses. 
• Support the sponsor’s work/life initiatives. 
• Ensure the Center Director has a positive and productive relationship with center sponsors.
• Monitor the communication flow and reporting between center leadership and sponsors. Manage contact regarding potentially critical situations. 
• Communicate and promote the unique resources and programs YMCA Memphis and  The Mid-South has to offer. 
• Ensure that any required sponsor reports are completed. 
• Provide the growth and strategies team with leads for new opportunities with existing businesses and other potential sponsors. 

Health, Safety and Licensing

• Ensure that all licensing and YMCA Memphis and The Mid-South requirements are consistently met and permits are current. 
• Implement the emergency response plan with center teams. 
• Communicate licensing status to SVP Early Learning regularly and forward licensing reports to association office designee. 
• Ensure the administration of the annual quality audit as well as responses to monthly center visit reports.
• Identify capital improvement needs as well as ongoing facility maintenance and expansion issues. 
• Assist with property management decisions that affect program quality and safety. 
• Monitor the center’s compliance with all local, state and federal requirements and training. (OSHA, labor posters, etc.) 

Decision-Making Authority 

• Must have prior approval from SVP Early Learning, HR and CFO to:
  • Terminate a Director/Principal (CFO authorization not required). 
  • Alter a contract or enter a contract. 
  • Implement a salary increase above. 
  • Award a bonus unrelated to the existing association Bonus Program. 
  • Allow a tuition variance. 
  • Alter the number of childcare discounts available in a location. 
  • Deviate from YMCA Memphis and The Mid-South policy, Employee Handbook or family enrollment information.
  • Take action regarding an EEOC claim or any legal matter including unemployment claims and ADA accommodations. 
  • Respond to the media. 
  • Disenroll a child or family outside of the existing withdrawal process. 
• May take action, but must inform Senior Vice President Early Learning:
  • File an abuse or neglect complaint.
  • Receive notification of a licensing visit or citation. 
  • Accreditation, quality rating etc. is received or deferred. 
  • Staff member or child has a significant injury. 
  • Record an unusual incident/accident. 
  • Any significant communication from a staff member, sponsor or family.
  • Take time off from scheduled work, schedule a vacation.
  • Partner with Center Directors and the HRBP to consult on teacher terminations and other human resource actions.