Center Program Director

Job Description

Job Description

Position Overview:

Emergent Preparatory Academy is seeking an experienced and passionate Center Program Director to lead the daily operations, instructional quality, and staff development of our early childhood program. The ideal candidate is a strong educator and strategic leader who ensures that every aspect of the center meets the highest standards of early childhood education, regulatory compliance, and family engagement.

This role combines educational leadership with operational management—ensuring that our program maintains excellence in teaching, compliance, and organizational culture.

Key Responsibilities:

Program Quality & Compliance

• Oversee all aspects of center operations to ensure full compliance with OSSE licensing, CACFP, Pay Equity, QRIS, and other governing requirements.

• Monitor classroom environments, lesson plans, and assessments to uphold high-quality learning aligned with The Creative Curriculum and Emergent’s educational philosophy.

• Maintain accurate documentation, staff records, and reporting requirements in accordance with licensing standards and internal policies.

• Conduct regular classroom observations and coaching to promote teaching excellence.

Leadership & Staff Development

• Supervise, support, and evaluate teaching staff, ensuring alignment with the organization’s vision and mission.

• Lead professional development sessions and foster a culture of reflection, collaboration, and accountability.

• Implement onboarding, training, and continuous performance monitoring systems.

• Foster positive morale, team communication, and shared ownership of program outcomes.

Family & Community Engagement

• Cultivate strong relationships with families through effective communication, responsiveness, and trust.

• Coordinate family events, conferences, and community partnerships that strengthen family-school connections.

• Serve as the primary point of contact for parents and community stakeholders.

Operational Management & Safety

• Oversee enrollment, classroom ratios, attendance reporting, and subsidy compliance.

• Ensure that health, nutrition, and safety protocols are followed at all times.

• Manage supply ordering, scheduling, and facility needs to ensure smooth daily operations.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):

The Center Program Director will be measured by their ability to:

1. Maintain Full Compliance — Achieve and sustain 100% compliance across all licensing and regulatory inspections.

2. Enrollment Management — Maintain or exceed 95% of the center’s licensed capacity.

3. Staff Retention & Performance — Achieve at least 90% staff retention rate and ensure that 100% of teaching staff meet or exceed required qualifications.

4. Program Quality Scores — Demonstrate improvement or consistent high performance in QRIS, ITERS, CLASS, and internal observation assessments.

5. Family Satisfaction — Maintain a minimum 90% positive family satisfaction rate based on surveys and feedback.

6. Administrative Accuracy — Ensure timely submission of reports, attendance, and compliance documents with zero deficiencies.

7. Professional Growth Culture — Conduct at least one professional development or coaching session per month for all staff.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field.

• Minimum of 3–5 years of early childhood experience , including at least 2 years in a leadership or supervisory capacity.
  
  
• Strong knowledge of OSSE licensing regulations, curriculum frameworks, and early childhood assessment tools.

• Exceptional leadership, communication, and organizational skills.

• Ability to coach and inspire teachers while ensuring accountability and excellence.

• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and nurturing a culturally responsive learning community.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Educational Leadership, or related discipline.

• Familiarity with Pay Equity, CACFP, or Head Start regulations.

• Experience with data-driven program management and KPI tracking tools.

Compensation & Benefits:

• Competitive salary based on education and experience.
• Professional development opportunities.
• Paid Time Off
• Health / Dental Insurance
• Paid Holidays
• Supportive, mission-driven leadership environment.

How to Apply:

Submit your résumé, credentials, cover letter, and three professional references to: View email address on us.fitly.work