Senior Director, Early Education Programs (Association Office)

Description:

The YMCA of Greater New York is here for all New Yorkers — to empower youth, improve health, and strengthen community. Founded in 1852, today the Y serves a diverse population of more than half a million New Yorkers who learn, grow, and thrive through programs and services at our 24 branches. Community is the cornerstone of the Y. Together, we connect active, engaged New Yorkers to build stronger communities.

We are seeking an experienced professional who will be responsible for the implementation, integration, alignment, and coordination of our citywide Early Childhood and enrichment programming. Under the supervision of the Vice President for Youth & Community Development, the Senior Director of Early Education Programs is responsible for developing and leading a broad portfolio of early childhood programs that will strengthen children’s wellbeing and endeavor to ensure that children are curious, inspired, adept learners, and are well prepared for school and life.

The program portfolio includes Early Childhood Learning Center programs, UPK programs, fee-based enrichment services for ages 0 to 12, Child Watch services, Early Childhood summer day camp, and wrap around or Early Childhood after school programming at over 22 YMCA branches and communities, including partner public schools.

The Senior Director of Early Education Programs will provide leadership for the strategy, systems, and standardization of Early Childhood program structures; including, but not limited to, the overall development, administration, and evaluation of program offerings at all of the branches. This person must have a deep understanding of the New York City early childhood funding environment as well as revenue generating programming for 0-12 year olds and their families. The Senior Director will strive to grow enrollment and programs in accordance with the organization’s strategic plan, and to serve more children via structured, engaging, educational, recreational, and developmentally appropriate activities that allow children to develop and progress their skills. This role will ensure a high level of quality, communication, and collaboration among all of the Early Childhood programs and family services.

By strategically assessing community needs with YMCA branches, City and community stakeholders, the Senior Director of Early Childhood will successfully maintain and continue to improve the quality of all Early Learning, Early Childhood afterschool programming, Early Childhood enrichment programs and family programs.

Responsibilities:

• Foster and create new and innovative Early Learner, youth, family, and community programs with our branches and off-sites that meet the needs of the community, in keeping with the Branch priority objectives and strategic plan.
• Develop content and curriculum, as well as developmentally appropriate YMCA program practices for early childhood from birth through age 12 in collaboration with our branch program leadership.
• Ensure that programs meet contractual and regulatory obligations of the Department of Education and Department of Health while fulfilling the program mandates of the YMCA of Greater New York and funders.
• Develop, manage, and successfully meet budget objectives, while seeking to strategically provide for a growth in service offerings.
• Effectively develop partnerships with community organizations and coalitions to provide services, programs, and referrals to YMCA branches, participants and families.
• Lead and convene Leadership and Cabinet meetings, and manage any subsequent workgroups.
• Become a certified trainer in critical subject matter areas and lead training events.
• Work with Branch and Association Office leadership to design, develop, and implement a marketing and communication plan which promotes the Early Learner Programs, Early Childhood after school programming, and Early Childhood enrichment and family programs to local community groups.
• Ensure branches have adequate systems and supports to maintain accurate and timely program documentation (attendance, sign in / out forms, behavior reports, incident reports, and accident reports, as appropriate).
• Work closely with the Research, Evaluation and Strategy department and support the research / evaluation work of the initiatives by supervising and coordinating the collection of data, ensuring the timely submission of reports, and monitoring and sustaining data integrity systems, as well as the use of data to drive continuous improvement.
• Develops resource lists to be utilized by parents and branches.
• Promote an inclusive, welcoming, and respectful environment that embraces the diversity of all staff and participants.
• Ensure the health, safety and well-being of participants by understanding, maintaining, and ensuring that staff and participants follow Risk Management and safety procedures.
• Analyze and respond to developing trends in the fields of early childhood, youth and program development.

Qualifications: