Early Childhood Education Director

Overview

Organization Overview: The Goddard Riverside Community Center (Goddard Riverside) and the Stanley M. Isaacs Neighborhood Center (Isaacs Center) are well-established Manhattan community-based agencies that support services to approximately 30,000 New Yorkers. We are two of New York City’s leading human services organizations meeting the needs of children, youth and families, homeless individuals, and older adults through-out Manhattan and New York City. We work every day for a fair and just society where all people have the opportunity to make choices that lead to better lives for themselves and their families. The Isaacs Center focuses primarily on the needs of children and low-income families, out-of-school and out-of-work youth, and aging New Yorkers. We operate at community centers located in the neighborhoods of East Harlem and Yorkville, and seek to deliver programs that are impactful, innovative, and intergenerational.

Program Description: Goddard Riverside Community Center (GRCC) is a renowned, community-based organization located in Manhattan with an annual operating budget of $80 million. GRCC is committed to empowering families and providing quality early childhood education. Our two Early Childhood Education (ECE) centers serve working families and their children, ages 2 to 5, in a nurturing and supportive environment. We are seeking a passionate and experienced Education Director to oversee the daily operations and educational programming at our 64th Street Early Childhood Education site. Under the leadership of the ECE Cluster Leader, the Education Director will play a pivotal role in providing guidance and support to a team of educators and staff. This individual will ensure the effective implementation of a developmentally appropriate curriculum, while maintaining a strong focus on the overall well-being and safety of the children. The Education Director will also be responsible for the management of administrative tasks, including food service operations, to ensure a seamless and enriching experience for both children and staff. This leadership position requires an individual who is dedicated to fostering a high-quality educational environment, promoting staff development, and building positive relationships with families and the broader community.

Position Summary: The Education Director will provide leadership and oversight of the educational and administrative aspects of our Early Childhood Education site. Reporting to the ECE Cluster Leader, the Director will guide a team of educators and support staff in ensuring the highest quality of early childhood education. This includes fostering a positive learning environment, implementing best practices, ensuring safety and compliance with regulatory standards, and supporting both staff and families. The Director will also oversee food service and other operational functions at the site.

Schedule: Monday through Friday (Fulltime and available between the hours of 8am-6pm, work hours will vary as needed for coverage, open year round)

Salary Range: $80,000 – $90,000

Candidates must have the required qualifications to be considered for the position. The salary offer will be based on the candidate’s number of years experience in the exact or comparable position and additional preferred qualifications will be taken into account.

Roles, Responsibilities, and Essential Duties

Educational Leadership:

• Ensure best practices in providing a developmentally appropriate curriculum for the preschool community.
• Monitor and support classroom staff to ensure effective delivery of educational programs.
• Facilitate the development of individualized learning plans that meet the needs of all children, including children with special needs.
• Provide support and guidance to educators in lesson planning and classroom management.
• Ensure that classroom environments are safe, inclusive, and conducive to learning.

Staff Supervision and Development:

• Supervise, coach, and collaborate with teaching staff to enhance their professional growth and ensure the successful implementation of educational goals.
• Conduct regular performance evaluations and provide ongoing feedback to staff.
• Lead and support staff meetings, professional development workshops, and training.
• Foster a positive and supportive work environment that encourages collaboration, respect, and accountability.

Operational Management:

• Oversee daily operations including staff and child attendance, food service, classroom scheduling, and facilities management.
• Ensure compliance with all safety protocols and regulatory guidelines, including maintaining “audit-ready” records for children, staff, and services.
• Collaborate with the ECE Cluster Leader to ensure all programmatic and operational needs are met.
• Act as the point of contact for parents, providing them with essential information, support, and resources.
• Ensure the center maintains compliance with funding agency requirements (e.g., ACS, DOE, HRA).

Parent and Community Engagement:

• Create a welcoming and inclusive environment for parents and families.
• Communicate effectively with parents and guardians to foster strong partnerships and ensure the success of each child.
• Serve as the liaison between the center and the broader community, including local partners, regulatory agencies, and external service providers.

Compliance and Reporting:

• Ensure the center’s policies and practices align with regulatory guidelines and funding requirements (e.g., ACS, DOE, CACFP, HRA).
• Monitor site visits and inspections from regulatory agencies, keeping the Cluster Leader informed of any findings or concerns.
• Prepare and submit necessary reports, records, and documentation in a timely manner.

Other Duties:

• Participate in departmental planning and strategy sessions.
• Assist with emergency procedures and crisis management when needed.
• Perform additional tasks as assigned by the ECE Cluster Leader.

Qualifications:

Educational Requirements:

• Master’s degree in early childhood education or related field required.
• NYS (New York State) Certification in Early Childhood Education required.

Experience:

• Minimum of five (5) years of teaching experience in early childhood classrooms.
• At least two (2) years of experience in a supervisory or management role within an early childhood education setting.
• Experience with ACS/DOE funded Day Care programs, Head Start, or DOE UPK programs.
• Experience with Article 47 and union collective bargaining agreements.

Certifications:

• MAT (Medication Administration Training) certification preferred.
• Successful completion of background checks required by funding agencies (e.g., fingerprinting, child abuse check, staff exclusion list, sex offender registry check).

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities:

• Strong leadership, coaching, and supervisory skills.
• Knowledge of New York State Early Childhood Education standards and best practices.
• Familiarity with ACS, HRA, DOE UPK, and Early Learn policies and procedures.
• Understanding of the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) guidelines.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, etc.) and experience with ProCare or similar management software.
• Bilingual (Spanish) preferred.
• Ability to work flexible hours as needed to meet the demands of the program.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to lift and bend up to 30 lbs.
• Ability to engage physically with children, including getting down on the floor to play and assisting with outdoor activities.
• Ability to push and pull up to 30 lbs.
• Occasional travel to training sessions and professional development events.

Work Environment:

• Office with occasional classroom coverage.
• Frequent interaction with children, parents, staff, and community partners.

We are committed to building an inclusive workplace community grounded in respect for differences. We support hiring a broadly diverse team of qualified individuals who will contribute to our organizations.

Goddard Riverside and Isaacs Center provide equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of duties and responsibilities that will be required of this position and title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be requested to perform job related task other than those specifically presented in this description. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.