Assistant Director of Early Learning Operations

The Assistant Director of Early Learning Operations is a newly created senior leadership role responsible for overseeing Wu Yee’s direct service programs, including 12 center-based early learning sites, the Family Child Care Home Education Network (FCCHEN), and home-based visiting programs. Reporting to the Director, this role ensures consistent, high-quality program implementation across all service areas, grounded in strong health and safety practices, regulatory compliance, and continuous quality improvement. This position provides strategic and operational leadership to Regional Managers and program leaders, ensuring alignment across diverse program models. The Associate Director also oversees licensing compliance, monitors program quality, and supports workforce systems, including substitute and apprentice coordination, to ensure stable and effective program operations. Reporting to the Director of Early Learning and Supportive Services, the Assistant Director provides strategic and operational leadership to the three Regional Managers of our 12 child development centers, and 2 program leaders for the FCCHEN and home based visiting program, ensuring alignment across diverse program models. We are seeking a proven leader of multiple senior level supervisors, and multiple programs areas, ideally within non-profit, mission-driven child and family systems. Candidates with multilingual abilities, experience working in immigrant communities, and deep understanding of the cultural strengths of San Francisco families are strongly encouraged to apply. Primary Responsibilities Program Leadership and Oversight: Provide strategic oversight of all direct service programs, including center-based sites, FCCHEN, and home visiting programs. Ensure consistent implementation of high-quality early learning services across all program models. Supervision and Leadership Development: Directly supervise Regional Managers, FCCHEN Manager, Home Visiting Program Manager, and the Substitute & Apprentice Coordinator. Build leadership capacity, promote alignment across teams, and foster a culture of collaboration and accountability. Licensing and Regulatory Compliance: Oversee all licensing requirements and ensure full compliance with Community Care Licensing (CCL), Head Start Performance Standards, and other regulatory bodies. Support sites in maintaining readiness and addressing compliance issues proactively. Health & Safety Monitoring: Establish and implement systems for regular monitoring of health and safety practices across all programs. Ensure environments are safe, responsive, and meet all required standards. Program Quality & Consistency: Ensure consistency in program implementation across sites and service areas, including curriculum, child development practices, and family engagement. Support continuous quality improvement efforts and the use of data to drive decision-making. Workforce Systems & Staffing Support: Oversee the Substitute and Apprentice Coordinator to ensure effective staffing systems, including substitute coverage and workforce development pathways. Support program stability through proactive staffing strategies. Cross-Program Alignment: Strengthen alignment across center-based, home-based, and FCCHEN programs to ensure a cohesive early learning system that supports children and families across settings. Data, Monitoring & Continuous Improvement: Utilize program data, monitoring tools, and site feedback to assess performance, identify trends, and implement improvements that enhance program quality and outcomes. Required Knowledge, Experience & Skills Experience: 7–10 years of progressive leadership in early childhood education or related fields, with at least 3–5 years supervising managers and overseeing multiple program sites or models. Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or related field required; Master’s Degree preferred. Must hold a California Child Development Program Director Permit. Regulatory Expertise: Strong knowledge of Community Care Licensing, Head Start Performance Standards, and early learning program requirements. Operational Skills: Demonstrated ability to manage complex systems, ensure compliance, and lead continuous quality improvement efforts. Technical Proficiency: Advanced skills in using program databases like Child Plus and office productivity and project management tools (Office 365, Asana, G Suite). Core Competencies Systems Leadership: Ability to oversee and align multiple program models into a cohesive, high-functioning system. Operational Excellence: Strong focus on consistency, compliance, and high-quality implementation across programs. People Leadership: Skilled in supervising leaders, building teams, and developing staff capacity. Continuous Improvement Mindset: Uses data and feedback to drive innovation and improve outcomes. Equity-Driven Practice: Commitment to delivering culturally responsive, inclusive early learning services. Physical and Cognitive Demands Note on Essential Functions: Wu Yee Children’s Services is committed to diversity and inclusion; reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions Communication: Exceptional verbal and written skills; bilingual/biliterate proficiency in Cantonese or Spanish is highly preferred to effectively interface with our community. Physical Activity: Regularly required to travel between different sites in San Francisco; must be able to move through active childcare environments and occasionally lift up to 50 lbs. Cognition: Regularly required to solve complex logistical and clinical problems under tight deadlines; must maintain emotional maturity and professional composure in high-stakes regulatory environments. Environment: Ability to function effectively in professional office settings, active childcare centers, and community environments. Compensation and Benefits Salary $100,040 - $165,170, exempt. The final salary offer will be determined after reviewing relevant factors, including but not limited to skill sets, relevant experience, internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. Fully paid employee health, dental, and vision 403b with matching contribution after 1 year (6 %) 14 days holidays 15 days of paid vacation Generous sick leave Employee child care slots at reduced tuition on an as available basis Lots of opportunities for advancement across the organization. Extensive paid training and professional development NOTE: This description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities or requirements for the position. This position may change or assume additional duties at any time. The employee may be requested to perform different and additional duties as assigned. Wu Yee Children’s Services conforms to all the laws, statutes, and regulations concerning Equal Employment Opportunities and Affirmative Action. We promote diversity and urge women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply to all of our job openings. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records to apply for any open position in which they feel qualified. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, genetic information and testing, family and medical leave, sexual orientation and gender identity or expression, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Wu Yee Children’s Services is an equal opportunity employer. #J-18808-Ljbffr Wu Yee Children's Services