The F.M. Kirby Children’s Center of the Madison Area YMCA is a full-service early childhood education provider in Morris County, NJ.
Under the direction of the Senior Vice President/COO, the Director is a key member of the Y’s senior leadership team and primarily responsible for maintaining safe, top quality child-centered, industry-leading services and programs that advance the engagement and well-being of all children and families, including those most new to the Y and the Kirby Center. The Director is a dynamic and experienced leader with an acute capacity to cultivate and involve a wide variety of families, children, volunteers, colleagues, staff, community partners and others. The organization’s primary leader in the arena of early childhood education and child care, the Director oversees day-to-day operations of the F.M. Kirby Children’s Center, which is housed in a former 54 East Street school building that is utilized solely for the Children’s Center.
Under the direction of the Senior Vice President & COO, the Director provides leadership in operating performance and trends, with responsibility for the staffing, budget, personnel management, program development and delivery, quality standards and other operations of the Center. His/her responsibilities also include working with the COO, CEO and finance team to develop the annual business plan and operating budget, make rate adjustments, manage enrollment and the appropriate allocation of financial assistance.
Operations responsibilities also include planning annual activity, event and training schedules; planning and assuring the completion of ongoing staff in-service education days; and compliance with all licensing regulations, child protection standards and safety standards, including maintaining standardized child-to-instructor ratios.
The incumbent is also responsible for collaborating with community partners and prospective partners, Member Services, Marketing and other program areas on initiatives and strategies to grow program enrollment.
With other members of senior management, the Director will work across the organization in collaboration with other Y departments and programs to help ensure outstanding organizational performance. In so doing, the incumbent is also accountable to advance the Y’s cause as a philanthropic organization, and therefore will be an enthusiastic and visible leader in all philanthropic activities of the Y, modeling for his/her staff, peers and others his/her commitment to financial development during the Annual Campaign and throughout the year. As a member of the Y management team, the incumbent actively participates as needed in a variety of cross-departmental projects and initiatives that advance the Y mission and strategic plan goals.
- Provide leadership and training to the Kirby Center staff. Manage day-to-day operations including parent services, child enrollment, financial assistance allocations, accounts receivable, staff training, scheduling and accounts payable.
- Develop and manage core programming for the infant, toddler, preschool, kindergarten and school-age after school and summer camp programs. Set and maintain appropriate teacher-to-child staffing ratios for each program group.
- Manage staffing schedules to optimize quality and achieve operating objectives. Direct staff in developing program strategies and quality standards. Monitor program success in meeting parents’ needs and develop new programming options as needed.
- Direct the Center’s annual fundraising campaign with a volunteer campaign director, and assign specific campaign roles to staff to assure a successful campaign.
- Actively engage parents in projects, on committees and in the annual campaign, working to involve parents in the Center and identify appropriate candidates for committees and the Y Board of Directors. Facilitate outreach and other marketing efforts to increase enrollment and strengthen retention and parent satisfaction.
- With the COO and CEO, help to engage the Board of Directors on issues related to strategic management and growth of the Center.
- Ensure the Center meets all NJ state licensing and Grow NJ Kids accreditation requirements.
- With the COO, collaborate with local school districts on Pre-K expansion opportunities, and engage with other local care providers to optimize resources and enhance quality for children and families throughout the community.
- Develop and host professional and parent training workshops and presentations to build Kirby’s reputation as a center of excellence.
- With the COO, develop and manage the Center’s annual $4.5M operating budget, assuring that staffing and operating expenses are in line with budget and that revenue meets or exceeds budget. With the COO, develop new revenue-generating initiatives that are consistent with the Center’s core mission, values and objectives.
- With the COO, CEO and management team, develop long-term plans to sustain stable financial operations and grow/manage enrollment at the Center as needed.
- As a member of the Y leadership team, fill a central role in the organization’s overall Annual Campaign, including supporting volunteers, participating in campaign meetings, identifying prospective volunteer leaders and campaigners, and recruiting volunteers to the Campaign. Assist with the Y’s philanthropic activities throughout the year: Annual Golf Tournament, major donor recognition and stewardship events, community outreach activities, etc.
- Mentor staff to facilitate professional growth and development within the organization and provide professional development opportunities consistent with the Center’s needs and goals.
- Develop, monitor and manage monthly, annual and potentially multi-year budgets for all responsible departments, operating within financial constraints to optimize revenue and wisely invest financial resources. Ensure that resources are devoted to top priorities and strategic objectives. Ensure operating budgets meet or exceed targets.
- Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with other community and non-profit agencies in the service area.
- Manage the ongoing facilities management and maintenance needs for the Center including vehicles and equipment. Coordinate with the Sr. VP/COO and Sr. Director, Buildings & Grounds, to ensure all facilities and program needs are met.
- Work on annual CapEx plans for the Center and coordinate expenditures and vendor relationships.
- Lead efforts with HR & Risk Management teams to ensure compliance and high-achievement of standards.
- Assure outstanding parent/member service and meet all organization standards, including demonstrating the Y core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.
- Provide active, visible participation in back-to-school nights, open houses, Healthy Kids Day and other YMCA community or parent events.
- The Madison Area YMCA offers a full range of benefits, 12% retirement contribution when eligible, and discounted programs.
- Minimum 5 years management experience in a dedicated childcare operation with primary responsibility for operations and budget management.
- Minimum 5 years experience supervising early childhood education and childcare staff, including recruiting, screening, hiring and evaluating staff performance.
- Minimum two years’ experience in childcare delivery in a classroom setting.
- Strong interpersonal, communications and leadership skills.
- Demonstrated competence in early childhood education and development through management roles in large child development settings.
- Minimum of 20 annual training hours in the areas of early childhood education and development, fiscal management, and staff management.Trainer/facilitator experience and YMCA Multi-Team/Branch Leader certification preferred.