PAY GRADE: 33E

DEADLINE: OPEN UNTIL FILLED

Start date for the position is July 1, 2019.

CONTEXT OF JOB:

With centers located in Newark DE and Wilmington DE, the Early Learning Center (ELC) supports families and children and serves as sites for early childhood teacher education and for research and field-based experiences for students from a variety of campus programs. The Director serves as a liaison between UD faculty, ELC staff, UD students and the community.

The Director oversees two Early Learning Centers. The Early Learning Centers provide full-day, year-round early care and education for over 250 children ages six weeks to five years, school-age before/after-care programming for kindergarten through third grade age children, and family supports in urban and suburban settings. The programs demonstrate continuity of care classroom models, serve young children and their families, support field placements for university students, and serve as research and program evaluation sites.

Accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) the centers hold 5-star ratings from Delaware Stars for Early Success. The Early Learning Centers support a dedicated team of over 50 full time and 30 part-time early childhood education professionals - and welcome over 200 undergraduate students engaged in learning or research each academic year. The Centers maintain several community partnerships, including a collaborative partnership with New Directions Early Head Start to provide early head start services.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

Leadership

• Provide strong and innovative leadership that supports a mission and vision of the programs aimed at serving children and families, UD students, and faculty.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to establish, implement, and monitor a strategic plan.
• Supervise, coach, and mentor the members of the administrative team; prepare, conduct, and/or review annual performance appraisals.
• Collaborate with Associate Directors to guide curriculum development, professional development, classroom assessment and supervision to support continuous development of all staff.

Program Operations and Management

• Oversee program operations for both programs to include maintenance of NAEYC accreditation, 5-Star Designation in Delaware's QRIS, and child care licensing.
• Collaborate with the centers' Business Administrator to oversee all fiscal management and planning for both programs to ensure self-sustaining budgets.
• Support the overall needs of the center operations, including effective management of resources, personnel, space and time.

Research and Funding

• Support on-site research and data collection, inclusive of collaborations with faculty; serve as a partner on grant opportunities, management and reporting for program development and research; oversee program data management, analysis and reporting.
• Work with the UD Development Office to secure gifts, foundational grants, and to support alumni outreach efforts.

Community Partner

• Establish, maintain, and lead community partnerships and outreach with state agencies and programs serving young children and their families; coordinate interagency agreements and act as liaison with the broader early childhood education community.
• Establish and maintain collaborative efforts with local agencies, non-profits and state agencies in the area of early care and education, such as New Directions Early Head Start.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Master's degree required, Ph.D. or Ed.D. preferred, in early childhood education or related discipline preferred and five years of experience with child development programs, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Success in administration of a high-quality early care and education program required.

Strong interpersonal and communication skills and a deep commitment to diversity are required.

Ability to work with children, families, staff, students, faculty and community partners from diverse communities.

Ability to apply theoretical and applied knowledge of child and adult development and learning, family sciences and inclusive early childhood education.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Requires successful completion of criminal background check, child protection and adult abuse registry checks, health examination and TB clearance.

Applicant must meet Delaware requirements for Child Care Administrator.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee may need to lift and/or move up to 40 pounds with or without assistance.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Delaware is an Equal Opportunity Employer which encourages applications from Minority Group Members, Women, Individuals with Disabilities and Veterans. The University's Notice of Non-Discrimination can be found at http://www.udel.edu/aboutus/legalnotices.html

To apply please click here!