OUR CULTURE:

Our mission and core values are brought to life through our culture. At the YMCA of South Hampton Roads, we strive to live our cause of strengthening communities with purpose and intentionality every day.

We are welcoming: we are open to all and create spaces where people can belong and become.

We are genuine: we value people and embrace individuality.

We are hopeful: we believe in the potential of people to grow, lead and become catalysts for change.

We are nurturing: we support individuals throughout their journey to reach their full potential.

We are determined: above all else, we are on a relentless quest to make our community stronger, beginning with our people.

Our culture is not a People & Culture initiative; it is how we lead, serve, develop talent, make decisions and deliver on the YMCA's mission.

POSITION SUMMARY:

As the Early Learning Director at the YMCA of South Hampton Roads, you will have the opportunity to make a lasting impact on the lives of young children and families by leading high-quality early learning programs serving children ages 0–5.

Under the direction of the Executive Director, the Early Learning Director oversees the daily operations of licensed early learning programs, including program quality, staff leadership, family engagement, licensing compliance, and curriculum implementation. This role creates a safe, nurturing, and inclusive environment where children can learn, grow, and thrive through developmentally appropriate experiences rooted in the YMCA values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Division of Duties:

• 90% supervision and management of assigned licensed early learning programs serving children ages 0–5
• 10% leadership support to Annual Giving and other association and department initiatives

Priorities:

• Provides supervision and management of licensed early learning programs serving children ages 0–5.
• Serves as the Program Director for assigned early learning programs. 
• Ensures programs operate in accordance with YMCA policies, health and safety standards, and Virginia Department of Education licensing requirements.
• Supports high-quality, developmentally appropriate programming that promotes children’s social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development.
• The Early Learning Director must understand and be willing to learn the necessary skills required for the successful completion of duties, including:

Program Management and Operations

• Provides day-to-day management of early learning program operations and staff
• Hires, trains, supervises, and evaluates early learning staff
• Ensures assigned programs meet or exceed Virginia Department of Education licensing requirements
• Ensures assigned programs meet or exceed program quality standards
• Supports implementation of developmentally appropriate curriculum and learning experiences for children ages 0–5

Program Management and Operations

• Creates opportunities for children and families to build meaningful relationships within the YMCA community
• Establishes positive and collaborative relationships with parents/guardians through ongoing communication and engagement opportunities
• Provides strong leadership and support for attaining goals and objectives of the Association Strategic Plan
• Expands current early learning offerings with high-quality programming in accordance with Association operating guidelines

Team Performance Towards Organizational Goals

• Recruits and trains program volunteers
• Participates in association leadership meetings and trainings
• Works collaboratively and in partnership with association child care and youth development leaders to deliver on assigned responsibilities

Fundraising

• Participates in a successful annual support campaign. Active leadership required in staff giving and membership involvement

Professional Development

• Maintains current CPR/AED/O2/First Aid and MAT certifications
• Attends trainings as required, including YMCA New Staff Orientation, bloodborne pathogens, and child abuse prevention training
• Attends mandatory staff meetings
• Follows the Code of Conduct established by the YMCA of South Hampton Roads
• Demonstrates an enthusiastic, positive, and motivating approach with children, families, staff, and peers
• Communicates the YMCA mission and objectives to the community
• Incorporates the YMCA core values of Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility into all aspects of program leadership and operations
• Performs all other duties as assigned

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT COMPETENCIES:

• Program/Project Management
• Developing Self & Others 
• Functional Expertise
• Communication & Influence

QUALIFICATIONS:

The Early Learning Director will meet the qualifications established by the YMCA of South Hampton Roads and applicable state licensing agencies for licensed early learning programs serving children ages 0–5. Minimum qualifications include:

Meet the minimum qualifications for “Program Director” as defined by the Virginia Department of Education Division of Child Care Health and Safety and/or applicable North Carolina child care licensing regulations based on program location

• Staff shall be of good character and reputation
• Meets a minimum age of 21 years or older
• Capable of carrying out assigned responsibilities; capable of accepting training and supervision; capable of communicating with emergency personnel; and capable of communicating effectively both orally and in writing as applicable to the job responsibility.
• A minimum of 48 credit hours from a college or university, of which 12 credit hours are in child-related courses, plus 1 year of programmatic experience. 
• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Education, Human Services, or related field preferred
• Experience leading licensed early learning programs preferred
• Experience supervising and developing staff preferred
• YMCA Team Leader Certification preferred 

ACCOUNTABILITY:

Accountable for achieving assigned organizational and youth development goals as measured through program quality, safety and compliance outcomes, accreditation readiness, cause-driven measures, operating results, participant and team member experience, and supervisor evaluation.

Employment is contingent upon satisfactory performance and successful completion and maintenance of applicable position requirements, which may include background screening, driver's license review, CPS screening, drug and/or alcohol testing, or other screenings as required by the position or applicable law.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

This position operates in an early learning, office, classroom, and community-based environment and regularly interacts with team members, leaders, children, families, vendors, and other stakeholders. The role requires frequent walking, standing, bending, kneeling, stooping, pushing, lifting, and other physical activity associated with early learning program operations. The position requires the ability to lift, carry, push, pull, and move up to 50 pounds, remain standing or seated for extended periods, maintain attention to detail while managing multiple priorities, and physically complete required job-related certifications. The role may involve exposure to cleaning supplies and occasional outdoor weather conditions, including wet, cold, and humid environments. Flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, may be required during peak program periods or based on organizational needs.

The YMCA of South Hampton Roads provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities to enable them to perform the essential functions of the position, consistent with applicable law.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

Salary Range: $40,000 - $45,000 annually

The salary range provided reflects the YMCA of South Hampton Roads’ good-faith determination of the minimum and maximum starting salary for this position.

In addition to base compensation, the YMCA of South Hampton Roads offers a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees, including an employer-funded retirement contribution equal to 12% of eligible compensation, health and welfare benefits, paid time off, and other YMCA benefits.