Executive Director of the Early Learning Center

The Executive Director of the Early Learning Center assumes ultimate responsibility for ensuring the health, safety, and quality of education for all enrolled children. The Director is responsible and directly accountable for the overall operational management of the Early Learning Center including legal compliance, financial management, facilities management, and long range-planning in accordance with university and center guidelines. The Director establishes clear goals and direction for the organization, inspires, supervises, and leads a diverse team of professionals. Other responsibilities include serving as an advisor to senior management and liaison to internal and external partners and championing the university’s mission, vision, goals, and values.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Oversee the day to day operation of the Early Learning Program with ultimate responsibility for the enrichment, safety and well-being of all children, and all operational aspects of the center to include financial management, facilities maintenance and improvement, safety and security, meal services, enrollment, educational quality and communication with families of enrolled children
• Provide strategic leadership for the RISE program related to the broad plan of helping the organization clarify and affirm values, set goals, articulate a vision and chart a course of action.
• Oversee development, implementation, quality, measurement, and promotion of programs, products and services, and prepare various reports assigned as needed.
• Serve as liaison and build strong relationships with numerous internal and external partners to include the Alabama State Department of Early Childhood Education and the Office of School Readiness, The Community Action Partnership of North Alabama, Sodexo, and The UAH Foundation.
• Advise and work closely with the the Dean and senior management in governance, best practices, responsibilities, risk management, finance, legal, and fundraising.
• Establish and build strong cooperative relationships with community groups, donors, volunteers, and clients.
• Effectively manage budgetary resources within budget guidelines.
• Develop, implement and manage a comprehensive proactive development plan focused on expanding and enhancing community relationships.
• Implement and maintain best practices for planning, programs, fundraising, finance, risk management, and HR.
• Update the Dean on programs, activities and funding and communicate any issues with potential to effect the organization and its mission.
• Develop a high - value exchange of community alliances. Identify, evaluate, cultivate, and solicit donations.
• Direct and coordinate activities relating to fundraising and monetary support, ensure adequate funds from diverse, ongoing revenue streams to sustain and further the organization's mission and programs.
• Ensure the organization is compliant with relevant nonprofit regulations and is transparent and accurate in all its records and documents.
• Supervise, lead and inspire staff to include an Assistant Director, Afterschool Program Lead, Teachers, Therapist and other support administrative personnel to accomplish the goals of the organization understand and fully embrace the mission and values.
• Ensure an engaging climate which attracts, motivates, and supports a talented, diverse staff to effectively execute programs.
• Promote effective staff skills, growth and professional development, provide mentorship, coaching, and effective and on-going feedback and manage discipline and performance.
• Provide managerial leadership functions for setting up systems to carry out the organization’s mission.
• Stay current in developments and trends in the nonprofit sector and issues relevant to the mission, and make recommendations as appropriate.
• Lead and Manage special projects, events, and programmatic activities.

• Master’s degree in Early Childhood Special Education, Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Educational Leadership, or a related field
• Licensed educator in early childhood, early childhood special education, elementary, or special education;
• 3 years of full-time verifiable progressively responsible work experience in the field
• Must have proficient computer skills
• Experience in a supervisory/managerial position for learners birth to age 8 years
• Ability to manage organizational fiscal, programmatic, and operational components of an organization
• Ability to effectively communicate the organization’s mission to donors, volunteers, and the overall community
• Foster inclusion, teamwork, and collaboration
• Demonstrated ability to solicit donations and build donor and community relationships
• Exceptional interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, including public speaking.
• Outstanding leadership, networking, and motivational skills.

• Advanced Graduate Study is preferred
• Solid knowledge of nonprofit accounting principles and financial procedures is desired

$75,000 - $83,000