Director of Early Childhood

Job Description

Job Description

The Organization 

For over 55 years, Urban Community School (UCS) has served Cleveland's children by providing an individualized, innovative, and challenging education. Rooted in the Ursuline Sisters' tradition of faith, character, and educational excellence, UCS engages our faculty, families, and community partners in the successful whole child development of students. Serving nearly 800 children from 6 weeks old through 8th grade, the school uses restorative practices and conscious discipline to foster growth and community. Accredited by the Independent School Association of the Central States (ISACS), UCS enrolls a student body in which seventy-six percent of families are economically disadvantaged. 

Our growing 15-acre campus in the Ohio City neighborhood is home to a vibrant mix of facilities and partners. The Roundstone Athletic Center features the Glick Family Fieldhouse and the Greater Cleveland Sports Hall of Fame and Museum. The campus also hosts The MetroHealth System, House of Champions, Urban Squash Cleveland, USA Lacrosse, Re:Source Cleveland, and Facing History and Ourselves. Outdoor spaces include Doyle Field, a new Little League field, along with a sports mini-pitch, lacrosse field, basketball court, three playgrounds, and learning garden. 

UCS is a recipient of the 2026 and 2022 Top Workplace Award from The Plain Dealer, which is based solely on employee feedback. UCS has also been recognized as one of Cleveland's City Champions by The Plain Dealer, a National Green Ribbon School for Environmental Practices and Learning Model, and a School of Excellence by the Cleveland Foundation and The George Gund Foundation.

Role Overview

The Director of Early Childhood provides leadership and oversight for the Early Childhood program, ensuring high-quality care, education, and experiences for 110+ students in the Gallagher Family Early Education Center (EEC) and 72+ students in the school program across 13 classrooms serving infants, toddlers, and pre-kindergarten students. The Director leads and supports the Early Childhood team, oversees the day-to-day operations of the program, and helps create an environment where children, families, and team members feel known, supported, and connected.

Working closely with the Principal/Chief Academic Officer, Division Directors, Enrollment Team, and other cross-functional leaders, the Director ensures strong alignment across academics, enrollment, staffing, family engagement, operations, and compliance. The Director also manages key external partnerships and publicly funded programs, including Head Start, Early Head Start, UPK, and PRE4CLE, and ensures UCS continues to meet applicable licensing, credentialing, and program requirements.

As a member of the school's leadership team, the Director brings a collaborative, solutions-oriented approach to strengthening systems, supporting educators, partnering with families, and continuously improving the quality and sustainability of the Early Childhood program.

Responsibilities

Coaching & Developing the Early Childhood Team 

• Hire, train, and manage the Early Childhood team, including 13 teachers, 25 Teacher Assistants, Assistant Director of Early Childhood, and administrative assistant, in alignment with the overall mission, vision and goals of the organization 
• Develop and implement systems to support consistent, frequent observation and feedback cycles for teachers, including shared intellectual preparation with teachers. 

Cultural Leadership

• Develop systems and procedures that promote a sustainable, positive culture for faculty, staff and students  
• Set the tone for strong, positive learning environments in each classroom 
• Implement the school's restorative practices model
• Consistently model leadership in interactions with students, families, faculty and staff 
• Engage with parents and caregivers to promote positive, learning-focused relationships between families and the school
• Serve on the school's leadership team and participate in school-wide planning and decision-making, including accreditation and long-term school design efforts

Facilitate and Lead Professional Development

• Design and deliver a range of ongoing professional development sessions that support the vision and culture of UCS programs, implementation of the curriculum, and growth of core academic skills and knowledge that align with the academic priorities
• Support teachers through the process of intellectual preparation (IP) to ensure that teachers deeply understand the content they teach
• Continuously research and study best practices implemented in excellent early childhood programs

Analyze & Leverage Data to Drive Decisions 

• Analyze student data using periodic reports and data meetings to determine how to support teachers with implementation and action planning as well as making future improvements to curricular products and instructional materials
• Develop curriculum elements in response to data, incorporating initial implementation and feedback as part of the process
• In collaboration with the CAO and academic leadership team, use data to adjust and focus instruction
• Occasionally create tools (e.g., trackers or templates) that support the efficient gathering review and analysis of data 

Lead and Coordinate Early Childhood Programs in 10 month and 12 month programs 

• Provide leadership and oversight for the day-to-day operations of the EEC (year round) and school based program (10 months), ensuring strong coordination across infant, toddler, and pre-K classrooms.
• Partner with the Enrollment team on admissions, classroom placements, student transitions, and enrollment planning to support annual enrollment and funding goals.
• Coordinate daily staffing and classroom coverage across teachers and teacher assistants, proactively addressing absences and other staffing needs to ensure continuity for children.
• Serve as the internal expert and primary point of contact for key early childhood programs, funding sources, requirements, and partnerships, including Head Start, Early Head Start, UPK, and PRE4CLE.
• Ensures compliance with the Department of Children and Youth (DCY) preschool license requirements, Step Up To Quality rating system and all other applicable funder regulations and standards (i.e. Universal Prekindergarten, Ohio Preschool Program, Publicly Funded Child Care, etc.).
• Ensure faculty and staff maintain all required credentials and that personnel files are complete, accurate, and up to date including but not limited to the requirements for the Ohio Professional Registry and OCLQS. 
• Support the team to maintain compliance with the federal food programs that we administer, including NSLP and CACFP.
• Implements a program plan that meets or exceeds all licensing, SUTQ standards and related funder regulations and fits seamlessly into UCS's portfolio of education services. 
• Coordinate external partnerships and programming, ensuring services are effectively integrated into the Early Childhood program and relationships remain strong.
• Collaborate across UCS and with external partners to ensure compliance with licensing, credentialing, funding, reporting, and other program requirements.

Skills 

• Passionate about fulfilling the mission of UCS 
• Excels at building relationships with various stakeholders including students, caregivers, and educators
• Exceptional verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
• Demonstrated effectiveness in coaching and supporting teachers to improve student learning
• Proven experience leading change, mobilizing others, and creating champions to support an organizational mission
• A deep understanding of SUTQ and early learning curriculums 
• Insistence on academic excellence and rigor
• Demonstrated skill and passionate for delivering impactful professional development to leaders and teachers
• Excellent time and self-management skills; able to attend to multiple competing priorities 
• Ability to analyze and use qualitative and quantitative data on a regular basis to drive decision making
• A hunger for feedback and an openness to engage in a process of self-improvement
• High level of self-awareness
• Exceptional self-motivation, entrepreneurial spirit, and team orientation
• Strong judgment and decision making skills 
• Humility, maturity, strong work ethic, and "roll-up-my-sleeves" attitude 

Education & Experience 

• 7+ years of early childhood experience with exceptional record of results 
• 3+ years of leadership/management experience with exceptional record of results 
• A sustained record of outstanding results
• Bachelor's degree required with an advanced degree strongly preferred
• Experience with early childhood curriculum, including a firm understanding of early childhood assessments  

Physical Requirements & Work Environment 

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
• Must be able to walk significant distances and climb stairs throughout the day as the campus is situated on several acres with multiple buildings, ranging from single story to two stories
• Must be able to actively interact with young children by having good dexterity with ability to lift up to 40 pounds, push, pull, carry, climb, balance and kneel and the ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, and squat.
• Ability to work on weekends and evenings as necessary
• FBI/BCI background check required 

Compensation and Benefits

• Salary commensurate with experience ($95,00 - $98,000)
• 401(k) with a generous employer contribution and match 
• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• Employer paid life insurance, AD&D, and short and long term disability coverage 
• 12 weeks of paid parental leave
• Tuition discount for students who attend UCS
• Educational assistance program (up to $2,000 per year)
• Casual work attire (denim and UCS spirit wear are welcomed)
• On-site fitness center for faculty and staff
• Financial and retirement advising at no cost to employees  
• Opportunities for discounts on home, rental and auto-insurance

Additional Information

• Status : Full-Time; Exempt 
• Reports to (direct) : Chief Academic Officer 
• Hours & Schedule : 40 hours per week/year-round (Early Education Center Calendar)

Urban Community School is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Urban Community School provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Urban Community School complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.