Center Director Jobs in Pennsylvania
Center Director jobs in Pennsylvania are consistently in demand, with openings concentrated in early childhood education, behavioral health, community services, and workforce development programs from entry-level program coordinator pipelines through senior executive director tracks. Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Harrisburg anchor the hiring market, where large employers such as UPMC, Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health, and the YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh maintain ongoing center director needs across multiple sites. The most sought-after specialties in Pennsylvania include child care center administration, Head Start and Early Head Start leadership, and community health center management. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 62+ Center Director jobs
McKeesport Child Development Center
Position Description
Title: Program Director
Reports to: Owner
Status: Full Time
Hours: 8 hours per day
Qualifications:
- Master’s Degree in Child Development or related field with one year experience, including supervisory experience OR
- Master’s Degree in Management/ Administration or related field with one year experience. Must have a minimum of 30 credit hours of child development OR
- Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or related field with 5 years’ experience, including at least one year of supervisory experience
Required:
- Act 33 & 34 clearances
- Completed medical form verifying suitability for employment
- TB test results
- At least two professional references
Salary:
- $48,000 to $60,000 per annum, based on candidate's level of education and experience
Personal Characteristics:
- Have a genuine liking for children and respect for them as individuals
- Have competence in and be able to perform the duties of the position as outlined by the appropriate job description
- Possess the ability to effectively interact and work cooperatively, as a team member, with people from a variety of socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds
- Must be flexible, able and willing to work evenings and / or irregular hours
- Possess the ability to effectively communicate verbally and in written form
- Be self-motivated in increasing her/ his knowledge and skills by attending staff meetings, workshops and reading literature related to the field of child development and interpersonal relationships
- Possess the ability to recognize, respect and maintain confidentiality
- Evidence of emotional maturity and stability
- Ability to accept and exercise authority appropriately
Professional Leadership Responsibilities:
- Understand and support the goals of McKeesport Child Development Center
- Serve as an integral part of management team
- Plan and conduct monthly staff meetings
- Act as resource person and liaison for staff and parents
- Develop innovative programming
- Monitor quality of programming, including staff/child interactions, using formal and informal assessment tools
- Maintain a substitute list
- Prepare and adjust staff schedules as needed
- Assure compliance with all relevant standards (Early Head Start, Keystone Stars, etc.)
- Remain current with child development issues
- Participate in professional organizations related to early care and education, in leadership positions where appropriate
- Participate in three professional development activities annually
- Develop staff teams to respond to program needs, concerns or issues
- Coordinate and manage teams, projects and other activities
- Earn a minimum of 24 training hours per year
- Remain current with child development issues
- Utilize formal and informal methods to communicate as outlined in the communication policy
- Provide staff training as appropriate
- Serve as a role model for classroom staff where needed
Administrative Responsibilities:
- Develop the program guidelines, Parent and Staff Handbooks, and other policies for McKeesport Child Development Center and ensure that they are in line with agency mission
- Provide oversight to ensure that all licensing, Early Head Start and Keystone Stars standards are met
- Provide oversight of the planning and implementation of developmentally appropriate curriculum
- Provide oversight of Child Care and Adult Food Program
- Oversee center operations, providing support and consultation for Staff as needed
- Conduct center tours and intakes for incoming families
- Meet and greet the children and parents upon arrival
- Assure that all required records are completed in a timely manner
- Ensure that children are receiving adequate meals that meet food program requirements through the planning of menus and coordination with kitchen Staff
- Ensure, through tracking, formal and informal assessments and other means, that Staff are meeting McKeesport Child Development Center quality standards
Supervisory Responsibilities:
- Interview, hire, supervise and fire administrative and support staff as needed
- Plan, assign and supervise the work of designated personnel with a thorough understanding of their job description
- Work with Owner in identifying staff development needs in accordance with program expectations
- Conduct staff appraisals for Administrative and support staff
- Oversee teaching staff to ensure that the classrooms are meeting the individual needs of the children in a developmentally appropriate way.
- Schedule staff and substitutes
- Conduct new staff orientation
- Identify staff development needs in accordance with program expectations
- Complete staff training plans as required
Record Keeping Responsibilities:
- Assure that all required records are completed in a timely manner
- Assure that lesson plans are submitted as required and posted weekly
- Review and approve staff time sheets
- Assure that staff records are kept up to date and confidential, in a locked file drawer, at all times
- Track staff training hours, ensure that staff has opportunity to attend training as required, including First Aid, Fire Safety and CPR certification
- Ensure, through tracking, formal and informal assessments and other means, that Staff are meeting McKeesport Child Development Center quality standards
Parent Related Responsibilities:
- Promote an open, working relationship with parents and encourage parent involvement in the center/ classroom program
- Inform parents of classroom activities and positive experiences children are having in the classroom
Other:
- Work as a team member with all staff to ensure the smooth functioning of the center and classroom
- Serve in classroom as substitute as needed
McKeesport Child Development Center Early Learning Center is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer
Pay: $48,000.00 - $60,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Employee discount
Work Location: In person
McKeesport Child Development Center
Position Description
Title: Program Director
Reports to: Owner
Status: Full Time
Hours: 8 hours per day
Qualifications:
- Master’s Degree in Child Development or related field with one year experience, including supervisory experience OR
- Master’s Degree in Management/ Administration or related field with one year experience. Must have a minimum of 30 credit hours of child development OR
- Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or related field with 5 years’ experience, including at least one year of supervisory experience
Required:
- Act 33 & 34 clearances
- Completed medical form verifying suitability for employment
- TB test results
- At least two professional references
Salary:
- $48,000 to $60,000 per annum, based on candidate's level of education and experience
Personal Characteristics:
- Have a genuine liking for children and respect for them as individuals
- Have competence in and be able to perform the duties of the position as outlined by the appropriate job description
- Possess the ability to effectively interact and work cooperatively, as a team member, with people from a variety of socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds
- Must be flexible, able and willing to work evenings and / or irregular hours
- Possess the ability to effectively communicate verbally and in written form
- Be self-motivated in increasing her/ his knowledge and skills by attending staff meetings, workshops and reading literature related to the field of child development and interpersonal relationships
- Possess the ability to recognize, respect and maintain confidentiality
- Evidence of emotional maturity and stability
- Ability to accept and exercise authority appropriately
Professional Leadership Responsibilities:
- Understand and support the goals of McKeesport Child Development Center
- Serve as an integral part of management team
- Plan and conduct monthly staff meetings
- Act as resource person and liaison for staff and parents
- Develop innovative programming
- Monitor quality of programming, including staff/child interactions, using formal and informal assessment tools
- Maintain a substitute list
- Prepare and adjust staff schedules as needed
- Assure compliance with all relevant standards (Early Head Start, Keystone Stars, etc.)
- Remain current with child development issues
- Participate in professional organizations related to early care and education, in leadership positions where appropriate
- Participate in three professional development activities annually
- Develop staff teams to respond to program needs, concerns or issues
- Coordinate and manage teams, projects and other activities
- Earn a minimum of 24 training hours per year
- Remain current with child development issues
- Utilize formal and informal methods to communicate as outlined in the communication policy
- Provide staff training as appropriate
- Serve as a role model for classroom staff where needed
Administrative Responsibilities:
- Develop the program guidelines, Parent and Staff Handbooks, and other policies for McKeesport Child Development Center and ensure that they are in line with agency mission
- Provide oversight to ensure that all licensing, Early Head Start and Keystone Stars standards are met
- Provide oversight of the planning and implementation of developmentally appropriate curriculum
- Provide oversight of Child Care and Adult Food Program
- Oversee center operations, providing support and consultation for Staff as needed
- Conduct center tours and intakes for incoming families
- Meet and greet the children and parents upon arrival
- Assure that all required records are completed in a timely manner
- Ensure that children are receiving adequate meals that meet food program requirements through the planning of menus and coordination with kitchen Staff
- Ensure, through tracking, formal and informal assessments and other means, that Staff are meeting McKeesport Child Development Center quality standards
Supervisory Responsibilities:
- Interview, hire, supervise and fire administrative and support staff as needed
- Plan, assign and supervise the work of designated personnel with a thorough understanding of their job description
- Work with Owner in identifying staff development needs in accordance with program expectations
- Conduct staff appraisals for Administrative and support staff
- Oversee teaching staff to ensure that the classrooms are meeting the individual needs of the children in a developmentally appropriate way.
- Schedule staff and substitutes
- Conduct new staff orientation
- Identify staff development needs in accordance with program expectations
- Complete staff training plans as required
Record Keeping Responsibilities:
- Assure that all required records are completed in a timely manner
- Assure that lesson plans are submitted as required and posted weekly
- Review and approve staff time sheets
- Assure that staff records are kept up to date and confidential, in a locked file drawer, at all times
- Track staff training hours, ensure that staff has opportunity to attend training as required, including First Aid, Fire Safety and CPR certification
- Ensure, through tracking, formal and informal assessments and other means, that Staff are meeting McKeesport Child Development Center quality standards
Parent Related Responsibilities:
- Promote an open, working relationship with parents and encourage parent involvement in the center/ classroom program
- Inform parents of classroom activities and positive experiences children are having in the classroom
Other:
- Work as a team member with all staff to ensure the smooth functioning of the center and classroom
- Serve in classroom as substitute as needed
McKeesport Child Development Center Early Learning Center is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer
Pay: $48,000.00 - $60,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Employee discount
Work Location: In person
See All 62 Center Director Jobs in Pennsylvania
Find roles in Pennsylvania that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Center Director JobsCenter Director Jobs by City in Pennsylvania
Where Pennsylvania roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Center Director Job Market in Pennsylvania
A snapshot from current Pennsylvania openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What Pennsylvania Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in center director jobs across Pennsylvania.
- Pennsylvania Department of Human Services child care facility director credential or equivalent state approval
- Bachelor's or master's degree in education, social work, public health, or a related field
- Minimum of three to five years of supervisory or program management experience
- Familiarity with Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning regulations
- Experience managing budgets, grant compliance, and state or federal funding streams
- Strong knowledge of licensing standards set by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services
Center Director Jobs in Pennsylvania: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a center director in Pennsylvania?
Becoming a center director in Pennsylvania typically requires meeting the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services director qualification standards, which vary by center type. For child care centers, the state requires a Director Credential issued through the Pennsylvania Key, Pennsylvania's early learning quality system. Most roles also require a bachelor's degree in education, social work, or a related field, plus relevant supervisory experience. Behavioral health and community center director roles may require licensure through the Pennsylvania State Board of Social Workers, Examiners in Marriage and Family Therapy, and Professional Counselors.
Which companies hire center directors in Pennsylvania?
Employers hiring center directors in Pennsylvania right now include Thomas Jefferson University & Jefferson Health, Mathnasium, and The Learning Experience, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Pennsylvania's large nonprofit networks, federally funded Head Start programs, and integrated health systems like UPMC and Jefferson Health generate steady demand for experienced center leadership across the state.
Which Pennsylvania cities have the most center director jobs?
Philadelphia, Harrisburg, and Chester have the most center director openings in Pennsylvania. Philadelphia drives the largest share of listings given its dense concentration of nonprofit organizations, federally funded Head Start sites, and large behavioral health networks, while Pittsburgh's strength in integrated health systems and community services anchors demand in western Pennsylvania, and Harrisburg's role as the state capital supports openings tied to state-administered programs and regional advocacy organizations.
Are there remote center director jobs in Pennsylvania?
Yes, but they're rare. Center director roles are predominantly on-site because they involve direct facility oversight, staff supervision, and regulatory compliance inspections. About 24% of center director openings tied to Pennsylvania are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and those positions tend to involve program or network-level administration rather than management of a single physical facility.
How can I get hired as a center director in Pennsylvania with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is securing an assistant director or lead teacher role at a Pennsylvania child care center or Head Start program, then working toward the Pennsylvania Director Credential through the Pennsylvania Key's training and coaching system. Large operators such as Bright Horizons facilities in the Philadelphia suburbs and community action agencies running Head Start programs across the state regularly hire for associate director and site coordinator roles that feed into center director tracks. Earning the Child Development Associate credential and completing Pennsylvania's STARS professional development pathway gives candidates a measurable edge over other applicants with limited administrative experience.
Where can I find and apply to center director jobs in Pennsylvania?
You can find and apply to center director jobs in Pennsylvania on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers hiring across the state. Search the available roles, find the ones that fit your background and location, and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 62 Center Director Jobs in Pennsylvania
Find roles in Pennsylvania that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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