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SHELTERING ARMS
EARLY EDUCATION AND FAMILY CENTERS
JOB DESCRIPTION
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OFFICIAL TITLE: Center Director

SUPERVISOR: Sr. Director, Site Leadership

SALARY RANGE: In accordance with Sheltering Arms Salary Schedules

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: Full time, full year overtime exempt

Position Summary
The Center Director serves as the educational, operational, and cultural leader of the center. This role provides vision, direction, and hands-on leadership to ensure a high-quality early learning environment where children, families, and staff can thrive. The Director fosters a culture of excellence, accountability, collaboration, and care while ensuring full compliance with agency policies, licensing regulations, and best practices. Through strategic leadership, the Center Director guides the delivery of a comprehensive child development and family support program aligned with Sheltering Arms’ mission and values.
Key Performance Responsibilities
Program Leadership

• Lead and supervise center staff while ensuring high-quality program implementation.
• Facilitate monthly full staff meetings and weekly management meetings to promote communication and professional growth.
• Communicate policies, procedures, and organizational updates clearly while encouraging staff engagement and feedback.
• Participate in relevant conferences and professional development activities and share learning with staff.
• Partner with the Curriculum Specialist to ensure weekly lesson plan reviews and monthly classroom observations.
• Ensure all suspected cases of child abuse or neglect are reported to DFACS and DECAL and that required follow-up occurs.
• Monitor enrollment operations, family files, and compliance in collaboration with Enrollment Specialists and Family Support Coaches.
• Oversee tuition collection and accounting processes for accuracy.
• Support the development and sustainability of the Parent Leadership Organization.
• Complete probationary evaluations, performance improvement planning, and annual performance reviews for direct reports.
• Communicate significant operational matters to Administrative Leadership in a timely and professional manner.

Personnel & Administrative Responsibilities

• Maintain compliant personnel files and licensing documentation according to the Director’s Manual.
• Manage center operations within the approved budget, including responsible P-Card use and documentation.
• Ensure accurate time and attendance reporting.
• Prepare and submit required reports in a timely manner.
• Report staff injuries and complete workers’ compensation documentation.
• Uphold confidentiality and ethical standards.
• Ensure completion of new staff and volunteer orientation and training.
• Coordinate staff schedules to ensure proper coverage and provide classroom support as needed.
• Report communicable diseases according to health department and agency protocols.

Public Relations & Community Engagement

• Build and maintain positive relationships with families and community partners.
• Recruit parents and community members for advisory and policy councils.
• Represent Sheltering Arms at community events, meetings, and functions.
• Coordinate advisory committee operations and meetings.
• Conduct center tours and agency presentations.
• Assist with parent meetings, special projects, and community initiatives.
• Plan at least one annual community presentation highlighting Sheltering Arms.
• Support center fundraising initiatives.
• Partner with the Director of Family Services to strengthen community visibility and relationships.

Property & Safety Oversight

• Complete monthly preventative maintenance and safety checklists.
• Ensure cleanliness and professional appearance of the facility and grounds.
• Maintain accurate equipment inventory, including separate tracking for Pre-K.

Food Service Oversight

• Ensure nutritious menus are planned, approved, and posted timely.
• Ensure adequate supplies for food service, janitorial, and kitchen operations.
• Monitor food service staff performance and task completion.
• Ensure accurate meal counts, production records, and purchasing documentation.
• Conduct monthly kitchen observations.
• Maintain CACFP-compliant records.

Professional Conduct & Leadership

• Model professionalism, integrity, and ethical behavior.
• Promote the agency’s mission, philosophy, and educational goals.
• Remain current in early childhood education, nutrition, and human services.
• Demonstrate knowledge of licensing and governing standards including NAEYC, Quality Rated, and EHS/HS.
• Recognize and encourage staff growth and achievement.
• Maintain a positive, respectful, and solution-oriented approach.

Teamwork & Collaboration

• Work effectively as a member of the management team.
• Build strong, respectful relationships with staff and leadership.
• Coach and mentor team members.
• Ensure management team cross-training.
• Delegate appropriately and provide support.
• Proactively address and resolve conflict.

General & Additional Responsibilities

• Notify Senior Site Director in advance of absences when possible.
• Perform other duties as assigned by Senior Site Director, Chief Operations Officer, or other departments.

Knowledge, Abilities, and Skills
The Center Director must demonstrate:

• Strong knowledge of child development and early childhood education practices.
• Knowledge of state and national licensing and regulatory standards.
• Effective leadership, communication, problem-solving, decision-making, and organizational skills.
• Cultural competence and sensitivity within diverse communities.
• Strict adherence to confidentiality and ethical standards.
• Professional integrity, fairness, compassion, and consistency.
• Knowledge of employment laws and workplace regulations including EEOC, OSHA, and FMLA.

Education, Training, and Experience:
Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Early Childhood Education or closely related field and three years of administrative or supervisory experience.
OR
Masters in Early Childhood Education or closely related field and 1 year administrative or supervisory experience.

Bilingual is strongly preferred.

CERTIFICATE AND LICENSE REQUIREMENTS:
None

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The Center Director may be expected to:

• Lift and carry children and equipment, 30lbs unassisted and 50lbs with assistance.
• Capability to sit on the floor and stand up independently to interact with children.
• Clean and maintain equipment and the center.
• Take precautions to ensure the health and safety of all children, parents, and staff due to the potential exposure to anyone who may be ill and/or contagious.
• Work in a busy and occasionally noisy environment where there may be a number of activities and situations happening at once.
• Ability to use arms and legs and moving their whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
• Ability to learn/use technology.
• Ability to pass a hearing test.
• Visually observe children from all areas of the classroom and playground from a distance of at least 20 feet.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Travel to various centers may be required as well as rotating schedules. Background check, fingerprinting, and drug test are required prior to hire date.
EVALUATION:
Performance of this job will be evaluated consistent with Sheltering Arms evaluation policy.

Date Established:
Date(s) Revised: 12/17/2025

This description may be changed at any time. This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee. The employee will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other related duties as assigned by leadership. Sheltering Arms reserves the right to update, revise or change this job description and related duties at any time.

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