Early Childhood Center Director

Job Description

Position: Early Childhood Center Director
Reports To: Senior Director, Early Childhood
Classification: Full-Time | Exempt
Bonus: Hire Bonus, 6 month Stay Bonus and 1 year Stay Bonus

Mission: To inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring citizens.

Job Summary
The Center Director is responsible for the day-to-day operations of their assigned Clubhouse Early Childhood Enrichment Center site. This role provides leadership to site staff, ensures program quality, regulatory compliance, manages the labor budget, maintains enrollment targets, and creates a safe, high-quality environment for children and families. The Center Director is the primary site leader and reports directly to the Senior Director of Early Childhood.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Oversees all daily operations of the ECE site, ensuring smooth functioning across all classrooms and programs
• Maintains labor budget oversight and ensures staffing levels align with enrollment, licensing ratios, and projected attendance
• Ensures full compliance with South Dakota DSS childcare licensing requirements
• Monitors enrollment targets and partners with the Enrollment Coordinator on new family pipeline and onboarding
• Supervises the Assistant Director and Child Development Specialists. Provides leadership support to all site-level staff
• Delivers formal performance reviews for Teachers and Classroom Assistants, incorporating evaluations from Child Development Specialists
• Oversees routine communications with families regarding billing and child schedules. Serves as the primary point of contact for program concerns, and significant site-level communications
• Manages local HR functions at the site level, including staff performance management, corrective action, and employee relations
• Ensures all staff maintain required credentials, certifications, and professional development hours
• Owns curriculum implementation across the site, ensuring Creative Curriculum and assessment systems are in place and aligned with organizational standards
• Partners with the Senior Director on quality improvement, policy adherence, and accreditation efforts
• Submits facility maintenance, repair, and IT needs directly to shared services in the Admin department
• Owns site-level health and wellness functions, including oversight of medication administration procedures, illness exclusion policies, and oversight of children's health records
• Coordinates emergency preparedness drills and local implementation of emergency procedures with Director of Club & Child Safety
• Owns volunteer management at the site level, including screening, onboarding, supervision, and tracking
• Responds to family concerns, licensing inquiries, and emergency situations
• Ensures maintenance of accurate site records including attendance, incident reports, and health documentation
• Deliver services aligned with BGCNP's Four Pillars of Care: Culturally Responsive Care, Accessibility, Trauma-Informed Strengths-Based Care, and Community Partnerships in all site operations and family interactions
• Oversees inclusion and special needs support at the site level, coordinating with families, Early Intervention, school districts, and other service providers
• Leads local community and family engagement efforts, building relationships with community partners and participating in outreach initiatives

Qualifications & Education

• Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or related field required
• Director credential or willingness to obtain per SD DSS requirements
• Minimum 3 years of experience in early childhood and childcare settings, including supervisory experience
• Knowledge of South Dakota DSS childcare licensing requirements
• Knowledge of NAEYC Program Standards preferred
• Experience with budget management and staff scheduling
• Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills
• CPR/First Aid certification required or ability to obtain within 90 days of hire

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work in an active childcare environment throughout the day
• Ability to sit, stand, walk, kneel, and crouch as needed
• Ability to lift up to 40 pounds
• Ability to supervise children outdoors in varying weather conditions
• Must be able to respond quickly in emergency situations
• This position is considered to be safety-sensitive

  The information presented indicates the general nature and level of work expected of employees in this classification. It is not designed to contain nor be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and objectives required of employees assigned to this job.  

  We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Drug-Free Workplace!  

  All qualified applicants are considered for positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, non-job-related disability, or any other protected class.  

  The Boys & Girls Club of the Northern Plains provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees in compliance with local, state, and federal laws and regulations. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application/hiring process should contact Human Resources to communicate their request for accommodation at 605-692-3333. 

Job Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS & EDUCATION
Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or related field required
Director credential or willingness to obtain per SD DSS requirements
Minimum 3 years of experience in early childhood and childcare settings, including supervisory experience

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Ability to work in an active childcare environment throughout the day
Ability to sit, stand, walk, kneel, and crouch as needed
Ability to lift up to 40 pounds
Ability to supervise children outdoors in varying weather conditions
Must be able to respond quickly in emergency situations
This position is considered to be safety-sensitive