Director of Youth & Family Services

YMCA
Salary
$46,481.00
$69,722.00
Resumes Accepted Until
Resume Contact
[email protected]
Ready to make a difference every day? The YMCA is hiring a Youth & Family Services Director to support families and lead impactful programs.
Job Description

The Director of Youth and Family Services provides strategic leadership and daily oversight of all Early Childhood and Family Programs at the New River YMCA. This includes the Early Learning Center, Preschool Programs, Preschool Day Camp, Parent/Child Events, Family Engagement Initiatives, and related support services. The Director ensures programs are developmentally appropriate, mission-driven, financially sustainable, and meet or exceed state licensing and YMCA standards. This role plays a critical part in supporting families and nurturing the potential of young children during their most formative years.

Our mission and core values are brought to life by our culture. In the Y, we strive to live our cause of strengthening communities with purpose and intentionality every day.  We are welcoming: we are open to all. We are a place where you can belong and become. We are genuine: we value you and embrace your individuality. We are hopeful: we believe in you and your potential to become a catalyst in the world. We are nurturing: we support you in your journey to develop your full potential. We are determined: above all else, we are on a relentless quest to make our community stronger beginning with you.

Qualifications
  • Bachelor’s degree in Education, Child Development, Recreation, Human Services, or related field required.
  • Minimum 3–5 years of progressive leadership experience in youth programs, preferably in a YMCA or nonprofit setting.
  • Demonstrated ability to supervise staff, manage multiple sites, and ensure regulatory compliance.
  • Strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills.
  • Ability to work collaboratively and build relationships with diverse stakeholders.
  • CPR/First Aid Certification (or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire).
  • North Carolina child care credentials or ability to meet licensing requirements preferred.
Essential Functions

Program Oversight

  • Direct the daily operations and long-term planning of the YMCA Early Learning Center and preschool programs.
    Oversee Preschool Day Camp programming, ensuring a safe, engaging, and nurturing environment aligned with early childhood development standards.
  • Develop and implement curriculum that supports kindergarten readiness and holistic child development (cognitive, physical, social-emotional).
  • Coordinate family programs and events that promote parent/guardian involvement and strengthen family bonds.
    Staff Leadership
  • Recruit, hire, train, and supervise early childhood teachers, assistants, and family engagement staff.
  • Foster a culture of professional growth, accountability, and positivity within the team.
  • Provide ongoing staff development and training in early childhood best practices, safety, and YMCA values.

Compliance and Quality Assurance

  • Ensure all programs meet or exceed licensing standards, YMCA policies, and safety protocols.
  • Develop and implement systems for incident reporting, risk management, and continuous quality improvement.
  • Maintain required records for audits, inspections, and licensing.

Budget & Fiscal Management

  • Develop and manage annual program budgets in collaboration with senior leadership.
  • Monitor and control program expenses and revenue to meet financial goals.
  • Track enrollment trends and initiate strategies for growth and retention.

Community Engagement & Partnerships

  • Build relationships with local schools, school districts, parents, and community stakeholders.
  • Represent the YMCA in school and community settings to promote programs and build trust.
  • Work with the marketing team to develop promotional materials and increase program visibility.
  • Act as the primary point of contact for families, ensuring effective communication and high levels of customer service.

Family Support & Communication

  • Manage enrollment processes, program inquiries, and parent feedback.
  • Plan and lead family engagement events and parent orientations
Cause-Driven Leadership Competencies

Mission Advancement

  • Models and teaches the Y’s values.
  • Ensures a high level of service with a commitment to changing lives.
  • Provides volunteers with orientation, training, development, and recognition.
  • Cultivates relationships to support fundraising efforts.

Collaboration

  • Champions inclusion activities, strategies, and initiatives.
  • Builds relationships to create small communities.
  • Empathetically listens and communicates for understanding when negotiating and dealing with conflict.
  • Effectively tailors communications to the appropriate audience.
  • Provides staff with feedback, coaching, guidance, and support.

Operational Effectiveness

  • Provides others with frameworks for making decisions.
  • Conducts prototypes to support the launching of programs and activities.
  • Develops plans and manages best practices through engagement of team.
  • Effectively creates and manages budgets.
  • Holds staff accountable for high-quality results using a formal process to measure progress.

Personal Growth

  • Shares new insights.
  • Facilitates change; models adaptability and an awareness of the impact of change.
  • Utilizes non-threatening methods to address sensitive issues and inappropriate behavior or performance.
  • Has the functional and technical knowledge and skills required to perform well; uses best practices and demonstrates up-to-date knowledge and skills in technology.
Required Certifications
  • Bachelor’s degree in Education, Child Development, Recreation, Human Services, or related field required.
  • Minimum 3–5 years of progressive leadership experience in youth programs, preferably in a YMCA or nonprofit setting.
  • Demonstrated ability to supervise staff, manage multiple sites, and ensure regulatory compliance.
  • Strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills.
  • Ability to work collaboratively and build relationships with diverse stakeholders.
  • CPR/First Aid Certification (or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire).
  • North Carolina child care credentials or ability to meet licensing requirements preferred.