Executive Director

About The Role Laboratory Family Services, Inc. (LFS) seeks a strategic, mission-driven Executive Director to lead our early childhood education center. This leader will champion high-quality care, strong staff development, and meaningful family partnerships. About The Role Laboratory Family Services, Inc. (LFS) seeks a strategic, mission-driven Executive Director to lead our early childhood education center. This leader will champion high-quality care, strong staff development, and meaningful family partnerships. As the senior leader of the Center, the Executive Director ensures the delivery of developmentally appropriate early childhood programs. The role maintains full compliance with California Community Care Licensing Division (CCLD) regulations and upholds LFS's organizational agreements and the expectations of its Board of Directors. This position is ideal for an early childhood leader who thrives in a high-accountability environment and moves easily between long-term strategy and hands-on daily operations. Key responsibilities Strategic Leadership and Board Relations Partner with the General Manager, Assistant General Manager, Human Resources, Board of Directors, and leadership team to set and carry out strategic priorities. Prepare and present Board reports on enrollment, staffing, program quality, operations, and other key organizational matters. Lead long-term planning for enrollment growth, staffing models, program expansion, and organizational sustainability. Develop data-informed strategies to meet enrollment demand, manage the waitlist, and optimize classroom capacity without compromising quality or compliance. Use enrollment trends, staffing stability, family satisfaction, and other key indicators to guide decisions and continuous improvement. Ensure transparency, accountability, and alignment between Center operations and Board expectations. Licensing, Compliance, and Child Safety Ensure compliance with all applicable CCLD regulations and health and safety standards. Oversee classroom ratios, supervision, and staffing coverage to protect the safety and well-being of every child. Lead CCLD visits, audits, inspections, and corrective action responses. Maintain the systems and practices that keep the Center licensing-ready at all times. Program Quality Lead developmentally appropriate, child-centered programming grounded in: Child-directed, play-based learning Open-ended, process-oriented experiences Whole-child development, including social-emotional, cognitive, physical, and language development Ensure the Center's philosophy and program standards are applied consistently across all classrooms and programs. Oversee DRDP and ASQ assessment systems and use the results to drive continuous quality improvement. Oversee implementation of Alameda County First 5 Quality Counts programming. Foster an environment where children, families, and staff feel valued, supported, and respected. Staff Leadership and Development Directly supervise, coach, and support the leadership team, including Program Directors and Supervisors. Set clear expectations for performance, accountability, professionalism, and collaboration. Lead annual performance reviews and performance improvement processes. Design and deliver meaningful professional development and in-service training. Partner with Human Resources on recruitment, hiring, onboarding, and staff development. Build retention strategies that reduce turnover and sustain a culture where employees feel supported, heard, empowered, and accountable. Operations and Financial Management Oversee daily operations, including staffing coverage, classroom assignments, scheduling, and transitions. Ensure enrollment decisions align with staffing capacity, licensing ratios, and program quality. Develop and manage the annual operating budget in partnership with the General Manager. Monitor enrollment, tuition revenue, staffing costs, and other financial indicators; analyze financial reports with the General Manager and adjust operations to meet budget objectives. Oversee tuition planning and annual increases in partnership with the General Manager and Board of Directors. Ensure responsible stewardship of organizational resources. Family and Community Relations Build positive, trusting relationships with families through clear, transparent, and professional communication. Address family concerns with professionalism while protecting confidentiality and program integrity. Support Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) engagement while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries. Represent LFS with professionalism and integrity in external relationships and partnerships. Incident Response and Policy Lead the response to child safety concerns, staffing issues, family concerns, and other incidents. Ensure timely documentation, communication, investigation, and follow-up. Address employee relations matters in partnership with Human Resources and in accordance with LFS policies and employment practices. Develop, implement, and maintain Center policies and procedures aligned with CCLD regulations and early childhood best practices. Ensure policies are applied consistently across programs and communicated clearly to staff. Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field. Meets or exceeds California licensing requirements for a Site Supervisor or Program Director permit. 7 to 10 years of experience in early childhood education, including at least 3 to 5 years in a leadership role. Demonstrated experience managing budgets, staffing models, enrollment, and licensing compliance. Deep knowledge of child development and play-based learning philosophies. Strong understanding of CCLD regulations and compliance systems. Proven ability to lead teams in a fast-paced, high-accountability environment. Strong conflict resolution and employee relations skills. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including with a Board of Directors. Strong financial and analytical skills, with the ability to use data to inform decisions. Ability to balance long-term strategic leadership with hands-on operational oversight. Preferred Master's degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field. Experience working with a Board of Directors or other governing body. Compensation And Benefits Salary range: $115,125 to $146,550 per year Insurance: Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance Schedule: Alternate work schedule available Time off: Vacation and sick pay accruals #J-18808-Ljbffr Tri-Valley Career Center