Director, Early Childhood Center

Background
The Shames Jewish Community Center on the Hudson is a vibrant, inclusive gathering place where people of all ages and backgrounds come together to learn, play, and grow.

The Shames JCC’s Early Childhood Center (ECC) is the premier early childhood education provider in the area. Serving more than 100 young learners each year, the ECC has a rich history in the community and an unmatched reputation for promoting healthy child development in an environment marked by compassion and joy.

Position
The Director of the Early Childhood Center (ECC) is a dynamic, hands-on leader who nurtures children, families, and staff with warmth, professionalism, and vision. The Director oversees all aspects of ECC program operations, including staffing, curriculum, pedagogy, family engagement, budgeting, licensing, and enrollment.

This highly visible leadership role calls for deep expertise in early childhood education, strong operational and financial skills, and—above all—a passion for community-building and connection.

Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership:

• Provide values-driven leadership that fosters belonging, purpose, and excellence across the ECC community.
• Champion a mission-aligned vision for early childhood education that embraces innovation and honors the needs of families and educators.
• Partner with the JCC’s Senior Leadership Team (SLT) to set and implement strategic priorities that strengthen the ECC’s role within the broader JCC and community.

Program & Curriculum

• Lead the design and continuous improvement of a play-based, developmentally grounded curriculum that reflects the ECC’s mission and values.
• Support educators through coaching, reflective practice, and professional learning that strengthen teaching and deepen understanding of child development.
• Ensure classrooms and materials promote safety, belonging, and discovery, where every child is seen and valued.

Staff Management & Development

• Recruit, hire, and retain a high-quality team of educators and staff.
• Foster a collaborative, growth-oriented culture through ongoing professional development and mentoring.
• Partner with families and specialists to support children with diverse learning or developmental needs.

Family Partnership & Communication

• Lead enrollment efforts by managing inquiries, conducting tours, and collaborating on retention strategies.
• Build strong, trusting relationships with parents and families.
• Maintain open, consistent communication through newsletters, emails, and meetings.
• Offer guidance and resources on child development, education, and Jewish life.
• Engage families through events such as holiday programs and milestone celebrations.

Operational Management

• Manage daily operations to ensure program quality, safety, and alignment with JCC mission and policies.
• Oversee administrative functions including enrollment, scheduling, records, payroll, and handbooks.
• Partner with senior leadership on budgeting, tuition recommendations, and financial reporting.
• Collaborate with the marketing team to promote programs and support enrollment goals.

Compliance

• Ensure full compliance with all licensing, regulatory, and quality standards, including OCFS requirements and JCC policies.
• Oversee timely submission of required documentation and maintain communication with the SLT regarding audits and corrective actions.
• Partner with the Director of Security and facilities staff to implement and monitor safety, health, and emergency procedures.
• Ensure facilities and health practices meet or exceed all standards, creating a safe, welcoming environment for children, families, and staff.

Qualifications

Education & Credentials

• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field required; Master’s preferred. Must have the ability to hold the JCC’s license for its licensed childcare center; must meet and continuously maintain NYS OCFS requirements for “Program Supervision Functions”
• Familiarity with OCFS regulations and other relevant licensing standards required.
• NYS Early Childhood Education certification preferred.

Experience

• Minimum 5–7 years of progressive early childhood experience, including 3+ years in a supervisory or leadership role.
• Proven success in staff management, curriculum development, and program compliance.
• Experience in Jewish educational or community settings—or interest in integrating Jewish values in an inclusive environment—preferred.

Leadership & Management Skills

• Demonstrated ability to lead with vision, empathy, and integrity while fostering positive organizational culture.
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and financial management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt in a dynamic environment.

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong relationship-building skills with educators, families, and community partners.
• Warm, compassionate leadership style grounded in inclusion and collaboration.

Personal Attributes

• Deep commitment to the mission, values, and community goals of the Shames JCC.
• Passion for early childhood education, reflective leadership, and lifelong learning.
• Flexibility, creativity, and resilience in a fast-paced environment.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to:

• Stand, walk, sit, reach with hands and arms, grasping and twisting, climb or balance.
• Stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. Possess the strength, endurance and vigilance required to maintain constant supervision of children.
• Work in both indoor and outdoor environments.
• Possess the ambulatory ability to manage uneven ground, hills, and steps.
• Possess the ability to sometimes move and lift up to 50 pounds.

How to Apply: Resumes and cover letters should be sent to sborus@shamesjcc.org.