Early Learning Center Assistant Director (Bilingual Spanish/English)

Job Description

Job Description

If you're passionate about and find fulfillment in elevating the early learning experience, please consider this unique opportunity! Join our community and enrich the lives of our youngest learners and their families!

About Urban Ventures: Urban Ventures is a faith-based nonprofit with the mission to educate children, strengthen their families, and build a healthy community. The organization primarily serves the Central and Phillips neighborhoods of South Minneapolis—an area rich in culture and diversity—with the overarching goal to prepare and send every child in the neighborhood to college or some form of postsecondary education.

About the Program: The Cornwell Early Learning Center is a program of Urban Ventures that provides and supports children ages 6 weeks to pre-kindergarten with early learning to develop their cognitive functions: how they think, explore, and figure things out. With an emphasis on social and emotional development, they help children develop the interests and skills that they need as they continue to grow.

Working Hours: Regular working hours Monday through Friday – a variable 8-hour schedule between the hours of 7 am to 6 pm, with flexibility for 3-4 later evenings and/or weekend work each year.

This position shares responsibility for opening and closing the Center; on a pre-determined and rotating basis, typically a minimum of 3 per week is required.

Primary Responsibilities/Summary: Under the supervision of the Cornwell Early Learning Center director, the Assistant Director is responsible for the day-to-day administrative coordination of the CELC and direct supervision of our CELC teachers. In addition to providing general support to the center’s director, the AD will manage operational administrative and financial functions that ensure the center runs smoothly, meeting or exceeding all state licensing procedures and requirements, while promoting a culture of continual improvement that strengthens program quality, staff effectiveness, and family experience.

Specific Responsibilities

• Staff Management and Supervision
• Conduct new employee orientation
• Facilitate Weekly Staff check-ins
• Manage scheduling, timekeeping, and payroll approval systems and processes
• Direct all teachers and Aides, ensuring licensing compliance, including appropriate staff-to-child ratios
• Work with the CELC Director in handling employee relations issues and concerns
• Collaborate with other UV departments (HR, IT, Finance, Facilities) in areas relating to CELC staff

Family Engagement & Enrollment

• Build relationships with families, respond promptly to their needs, and encourage family involvement in the Center and other Urban Ventures programs.
• Assist the CELC Director and Family Coordinator in recruiting new students.
• Assist new families through the enrollment process, ensuring an excellent welcome and smooth transition.

Center Operations & Administration

• Create and maintain daily work schedules to ensure sufficient staffing.
• Manage the purchasing of supplies and materials needed for the smooth daily operation of the center.
• Provide front desk and classroom coverage during staffing shortages, including fulfilling absent teacher responsibilities as needed
• Ensure daily operations meet standards required by applicable certifications
• Work in collaboration with the Family Coordinator to maintain all documentation related to children’s files and other licensing requirements.

Licensing Compliance Administration

• Demonstrate knowledge of licensing regulations to ensure compliance in all classrooms and situations.
• Work with the Family Coordinator to manage the scholarship program, including helping families apply for CCAP and other scholarships, maintaining appropriate records, and preparing necessary documentation.
• Maintain accurate enrollment records and student and staff files.

Center Staffing & Professional Development Administration

• In conjunction with the CELC Director, organize staff development sessions and training courses to complete all necessary continuing education requirements for state licensure and further develop the skills of the staff
• Assist the director in recruiting, hiring, and onboarding Center staff.
• Plan and organize CELC-specific staff appreciation events and activities
• Reinforce and drive accountability for following center policies and procedures, including safety practices and licensing requirements in classrooms.
• Monitor and support staff, promoting a positive workplace environment.

Team & Organizational Involvement

• Participate in all Urban Ventures staff meetings and training programs, as invited or required.
• Demonstrate alignment with Urban Ventures’ values, policies, and procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support the mission and sustainability of Urban Ventures.

Required Qualifications:

• A combination of post-secondary education in early childhood education or a related field and relevant experience, ideally including leadership or supervisory roles in licensed child care settings.
• Meets or exceeds teacher requirements for certified early learning centers.
• Minimum of 2-3 years of early childhood education administrative experience or 5 years working in a licensed early childhood education center in MN (preferred).
• Prior responsibility for direct staff management.
• Fully bilingual in Spanish and English, written and verbal.
• Successful completion of a pre-employment background check and future checks as required by State licensing.

Additional competencies necessary to be successful in this role:

• A demonstrated history of personal fulfillment in supporting children’s growth and development while providing a loving and nurturing environment.
• Strong organizational skills and high attention to detail
• Action-oriented and self-starter; able to maintain a high level of efficiency with minimal direct supervision.
• Excellent communication skills, including personal face-to-face communications with parents, staff, and children.
• Commitment to diversity and ability to work effectively across diverse groups of people
• High level of technological proficiency
• Ability to meet physical demands of the job (frequently lifting, carrying, and holding children and infants of 10 to 60 pounds)
• An understanding of and commitment to the faith-based mission and values of Urban Ventures

The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

This job description should not be construed to imply that these requirements are the exclusive standards of the position. Incumbents will follow any other instructions and perform any other related duties as may be required by their supervisor.