Senior program director - early learning - valley of the sun ymca

The Sr. Program Director of Early Learning provides strategic and operational leadership for the Early Learning Center, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, compliant, and financially sustainable programming aligned with YMCA standards and best practices. This role owns overall program performance, including enrollment growth, budget management, grant compliance, and quality assurance, while ensuring full adherence to all AZ DHS, DES, licensing, accreditation, and risk management requirements.

The Director leads, develops, and retains a high-performing, diverse team by overseeing hiring, onboarding, performance management, scheduling, and payroll in partnership with HR. This position also drives community engagement and program growth through strong partnerships, family relationships, and targeted outreach, while fostering a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement to ensure exceptional outcomes for children, families, and the organization.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF A SENIOR PROGRAM DIRECTOR:

• Oversees the management an early learning center and affiliated programs, including developing and monitoring program operations, curriculum, alignment to high-quality standards and best practices.
• Ensures programs and services meet community needs by maintaining student enrollment and expanding the program within the community as needed.
• Assists in the marketing and distribution of program information.
• Monitors program deliverables to include the program budget to meet fiscal objectives; compiling program statistics to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of and participation in program; securing and scheduling the needed facilities; and creating and scheduling the classes, activities, or events.
• Ensures grant compliance for all grants allocated and implemented within the program, adhering to grant objectives, deadlines, and deliverables.
• Recruits and hires diverse staff and volunteer teams across multiple dimensions of diversity.
• Onboards new employees and develops them for success.
• Manages staff members, including full-time employees, monitoring staff schedules, employee payroll, performance and coordinates human resource needs with the Managed Services Organization (MSO).
• Models relationship-building skills in all interactions.
• Develops and maintains collaborative relationships with community organizations.
• Maintains regular, clear, and concise communication within area of responsibility.
• Supports program and staff compliance to all safety standards, adhering to risk management and child abuse prevention policies.
• Maintains all quality and accreditation standards for the center by coaching staff and volunteers, regularly auditing the program and keeping all required documentation up to date.
• Ensures programs and staff adhere to AZ Department of Health Services Childcare Facility Licensing and Department of Economic Services regulations, standards, and processes.

REQUIREMENTS TO BE A SENIOR PROGRAM DIRECTOR:

• Minimum age of 21.
• Bachelor's degree in related field or equivalent experience.
• YMCA Leader certification (Team Leader certification preferred).
• Three to four years' experience in leadership in the early learning or related fields.
• Ability to relate effectively to diverse groups of people from all social and economic segments of the community.

FULL-TIME BENEFITS:

• Employee Assistance Program
• Free YMCA Family Membership
• Employee Program Rewards and Discounts
• Paid Vacation & Sick Leave (Once Accrued)
• 403b Retirement Savings Account Upon Hire
• Professional Development Opportunities & Trainings
• 12% Employer Funded Retirement Plan (Once Eligible)
• Health Benefits Including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, and Disability Insurance

OUR YMCA CULTURE:

At the Valley of the Sun YMCA, we are a Beacon in the Desert and serving as Centers for Community Well-Being, where children, families, staff, and communities can thrive. Guided by our mission and values, we create welcoming environments that promote health, belonging, and opportunity for all. Through our commitment to Be Well, Do Good, Lead Change, we prioritize safety, well-being, and excellence; strengthen communities through meaningful relationships and service; and embrace innovation, learning, and leadership to create lasting impact for future generations. We are welcoming, genuine, hopeful, nurturing, and determined in our pursuit of stronger children, stronger families, and stronger communities.

Valley of the Sun YMCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for this opening. Unless explicitly authorized by law, selection will be made without regard to, and there will be no discrimination because of, color, race, religion, national origin, marital status, parental status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, age (40 or over), sex (including pregnancy and related conditions, gender identity, and sexual orientation), or on the basis of personal favoritism, or any other non-merit factors. Our YMCA promotes a safe environment that is free from abuse. No form of abuse will be tolerated. All allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to in accordance with our Abuse Response Process.

This job announcement is not intended to be inclusive of all functions, responsibilities and qualifications associated with the position, however, representative of the essential job functions and typical criteria considered necessary to successfully perform the position.