Executive Director, Parent-Infant Center

Posted by on June 11, 2012

PARENT-INFANT CENTER
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
http://www.parentinfantcenter.org

About the Parent-Infant Center

The Parent-Infant Center (PIC) is a leading provider of early childhood education and after school programs in the University City community of West Philadelphia.  Founded in 1978, PIC has long been recognized for excellence and its programs are accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and the Council on Accreditation. The organization has also achieved 4-star status through Pennsylvania’s Keystone STARS quality assurance system.

PIC is known for nurturing partnerships between families and teachers and for commitment to supporting racial, cultural, and economic diversity.  Actively involving families in the life of the center is a hallmark of PIC and this focus on creating a sense of community distinguishes it from other child care providers.  PIC is housed on the grounds of the former Episcopal Divinity School.  The property, owned by the University of Pennsylvania, also houses the School District of Philadelphia’s Penn-Alexander Partnership Elementary School, serving grades K-8.  PIC serves about 175 children in early learning (6 weeks to 5 years) and another 90 children in the school age program (grades K-6).  There are currently 70 full-time employees and 20 part-time employees.

PIC’s mission is to support parenting by enabling children to grow and learn in a safe, stimulating and loving environment.

Summary of the Position

The PIC is seeking an Executive Director (ED).  The ED heads an administrative team that works together to support the mission and values of PIC. The ED provides the leadership to the center’s staff according to the strategic direction set by the Board of Directors, including consistent communication of the vision of what the center can be at its best.  The ED has 7 direct reports and reports to the Board of Directors.

Requirements

The successful candidate will have:

•    Strong belief in and love of early childhood education
•    Able to work independently with close attention to detail
°    Excellent communication skills, verbal and written
•    Able to identify priorities, plan work schedule, meet deadlines
°    Honesty, integrity and commitment to confidentiality
°    Able to manage multiple tasks and frequent interruptions
°    Basic computer skills and familiarity with word processing, spreadsheets, accounting and database programs.

Responsibilities

Scope of responsibility includes but is not limited to:

1.    Administrative Responsibilities:

•    Finance: Work with the Finance Director, Board Treasurer and appropriate staff to develop, administer and monitor the Center’s budget (currently $3.2 million) and special grants.
•    Personnel: Recruit, hire and supervise the management team. Conduct written performance reviews of administrators at least annually. Consult with Program Directors and approve hiring of teaching staff.
•    Licensing: Assure the Center maintains appropriate licenses and insurance. Maintain personnel files of administrative staff.
•    Facilities: Oversee major facilities issues in consultation with appropriate administrative staff, outside consultants or Board members.

2.    Team-Centered Responsibilities:

•    Team Management: Conduct and ensure documentation of regularly scheduled administrative team meetings to address issues including, but not limited to, personnel, program, facilities, and finance. Take proactive measures to address concerns as they arise.
•    Team Leadership: Inspire confidence and trust within the administrative team, providing positive, constructive feedback. Make clear decisions and ensure follow-through, adjusting to changing situations or unexpected events.
•    Communications: Keep staff apprised of new or revised policies and procedures or issues that affect all employees.

3.    Organization-Centered Responsibilities:

•    Board Support: Play an active role in developing a strong Board and motivating Board members.  Attend all Board meetings. Ensure preparation and distribution of reports, minutes, financials and other materials to support the Board’s work. Staff Board committees as requested or required.
•    Center Leadership: Inspire confidence and trust throughout the Center. Provide leadership to staff in program planning and implementation, within guidelines of the Center’s philosophy, developmentally appropriate practices, accreditation standards and DPW regulations.
•    Vision: Provide leadership for institutional planning and change. Work with the Board of Directors and its committees to develop and implement strategic plans and set policies for the administration of the Center and its programs.
•    Mission: Seek new ideas or opportunities, developing new programs that fulfill the mission of the center and advance its strategic plan and program priorities.
•    Fundraising: Advance fundraising. Cultivate donors and funders. Ensure preparation of the annual report, community newsletters, annual appeal and development of successful grant applications. Oversee the center’s fundraising events.
•    External Affairs: Represent the center in the wider community. Assume primary responsibility for relations and outreach with the University of Pennsylvania, other area employers, local businesses, and community and professional organizations. Identify and promote useful partnerships. Take the lead in crisis management, as needed.
•    Advocacy: Keep staff and parents informed of advocacy initiatives on behalf of children and families, especially those relating to early learning and school age care, and encourage their participation in advocacy efforts.
•    Center-wide Events: Support the administrative team in organizing and promoting family social, recreational or educational activities.
•    Volunteer Participation: Foster the center’s efforts to engage and motivate volunteers. Actively encourage parent participation in all aspects of center life.

Qualifications

•    MA in Early Childhood Education, Social Work, Nonprofit Management or related field.
•    Five years’ experience working with both preschool and school age children in formal or informal educational settings.
•    Classroom teaching experience preferred.
•    Minimum of three years’ experience in an executive position at a comparable non-profit organization.

Professional Development

•    PDR. Each full-time employee is required to obtain 24 hours of professional development per calendar year and set annual goals.
•    Workshops and/or Educational Courses: Attend workshops or courses as requested or required. Share information from these workshops with other members of the administrative team, as appropriate.

Philosophy: The Parent-Infant Center supports parenting by enabling children to grow and learn in a safe, stimulating, loving environment.

We believe that a high quality early childhood program promotes the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development of young children while also responding to the needs of families. We encourage children to develop at their own pace and we are committed to making each child feel valued and special. We hope our children will grow to believe that they can make the world a better place.

If interested or if you might know of someone who is interested, please contact
Jaime Armstrong, Recruiting Manager at [email protected]
or apply online at http://www.smartrecruiters.com/tocgrp