Director of Operations - Early Childhood

TITLE: Director of Operations - Early Childhood
REPORTS TO: Chief Executive Officer
CLASSIFIED: Full Time, Exempt
LOCATION: Brookings, SD

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 Director of Operations provides strategic leadership, oversight, and management of all early childhood education programs across the organization. This position ensures high-quality educational services, regulatory compliance, programming excellence, staff development, fiscal responsibility, and family engagement while supporting the mission and values of the Boys & Girls Club of the Northern Plains. The Director of Operations is responsible for maintaining consistent standards and operational excellence across all ECE sites.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Leadership and Program Oversight

• Provide leadership and direction for all Early Childhood Education programs throughout the organization.
• Develop and implement a unified vision for ECE programming aligned with the Boys & Girls Club of the Northern Plains mission and organizational goals.
• Establish and monitor quality standards across all childcares, preschool, and early learning sites.
• Conduct regular site visits to evaluate program quality, compliance, classroom environments, and staff performance.
• Ensure consistency of policies, procedures, and educational practices across all locations.
• Develop strategic plans for program growth, sustainability, and continuous improvement.

Curriculum and Assessment

• Oversee curriculum implementation across all ECE sites.
• Ensure curriculum aligns with state early learning standards and developmentally appropriate practices.
• Monitor child assessment systems and evaluate developmental outcomes.
• Analyze data to identify trends, measure progress, and improve program effectiveness.
• Collaborate with site leadership to ensure high-quality instructional practices.

Licensing, Accreditation, and Compliance

• Ensure all programs maintain compliance with state childcare licensing regulations.
• Oversee licensing visits, inspections, corrective action plans, and ongoing compliance requirements.
• Ensure accurate recordkeeping and documentation at all sites.
• Develop and maintain policies that support regulatory compliance and operational excellence.
• Monitor adherence to health, safety, and risk-management standards.

Staff Leadership and Development

• Recruit, hire, train, supervise, and evaluate ECE leadership staff.
• Develop professional development plans for all ECE employees.
• Ensure staff receive required training and maintain necessary credentials.
• Provide coaching, mentoring, and performance management support.
• Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Support leadership succession planning and workforce development initiatives.

Family and Community Engagement

• Promote positive relationships with children and families.
• Address family concerns professionally and effectively.
• Build partnerships with school districts, community agencies, and early childhood organizations.
• Represent the organization in community meetings, committees, and professional organizations.
• Advocate for high-quality early childhood education services throughout the community.

Financial Management

• Develop and oversee ECE budgets across all sites.
• Monitor expenditures and ensure responsible use of resources.
• Evaluate staffing plans and operational efficiencies.
• Support grant development, reporting, and funding opportunities.
• Ensure programs operate within approved budgets while maintaining quality standards.

Health, Safety, and Risk Management

• Ensure safe, healthy, and nurturing environments for all children.
• Oversee implementation of emergency procedures and crisis response plans.
• Monitor health, sanitation, and safety practices across all locations.
• Ensure timely resolution of safety concerns and compliance issues.

Membership Recruitment and Enrollment

• Develop and implement strategies to increase enrollment and maintain healthy program participation across all ECE sites.
• Monitor enrollment trends, waiting lists, and program capacity to maximize utilization and sustainability.
• Collaborate with marketing and Club leadership to promote ECE programs within the community.
• Build relationships with families, schools, healthcare providers, and community organizations to support recruitment efforts.
• Oversee enrollment processes and ensure a positive experience for prospective and current families.
• Monitor retention rates and implement strategies to improve family satisfaction and long-term engagement.
• Establish annual enrollment goals and regularly evaluate progress toward recruitment objectives.
• Represent the Boys & Girls Club at community events, family engagement activities, and recruitment opportunities.
• Identify opportunities for expansion of ECE services to meet community needs and organizational growth goals.

Administrative Responsibilities

• Prepare reports for executive leadership, funding agencies, and regulatory bodies.
• Maintain accurate program and performance data.
• Lead ECE leadership meetings and organizational initiatives.
• Develop and update policies, procedures, and operational guidelines.
• Utilize data and performance metrics to support organizational decision-making.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong knowledge of child development and best practices in early childhood education.
• Knowledge of state licensing regulations and quality standards.
• Outstanding leadership, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple sites and priorities effectively.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and childcare management software.

Core Competencies

• Strategic Leadership
• Program Management
• Staff Development
• Curriculum Leadership
• Regulatory Compliance
• Fiscal Management
• Relationship Building
• Communication
• Accountability
• Continuous Quality Improvement

Performance Expectations

• The Director of Operations is accountable for:
• Maintaining licensing compliance across all ECE locations.
• Ensuring high-quality educational programming and positive child outcomes.
• Meeting or exceeding annual enrollment and membership goals.
• Developing and implementing effective recruitment and retention strategies.
• Maintaining strong family satisfaction and engagement.
• Developing, supporting, and retaining qualified staff.
• Managing financial resources effectively.
• Building strong relationships with families, staff, and community partners.
• Supporting organizational growth and mission achievement.
• Creating safe, inclusive, and nurturing learning environments for all children.
• This addition ties enrollment directly to organizational sustainability and growth, which is often a key responsibility of an organization-wide Director of Operations.

EMPLOYMENT QUALIFICATIONS:
Education

• Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, Child Development, Education, or a related field required.
• Master's Degree preferred.

Experience

• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible leadership experience in Early Childhood Education.
• Multi-site management experience preferred.
• Experience with childcare licensing, accreditation, and regulatory compliance.
• Experience managing budgets, staffing, and program operations.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Capacity to observe, interact with, and communicate effectively among youth, staff, volunteers, and parents to ensure a safe and supportive Club environment.
• Ability to stand, walk, or sit for extended periods during a shift.
• Ability to safely operate general office equipment (computers, phones, copiers).
• This position is safety-sensitive and requires consistent awareness of and responsiveness to the safety of all Club members.

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.