Executive Director, The Caring Center

Posted by on June 25, 2012

Position Description
The Caring Center, LLC
Executive Director
The Organization                        http://www.thecaringcenter.org

Located in Philadelphia, The Caring Center (“the Center”) is an independent, not-for- profit organization formed by parents and professional staff to deliver exemplary early childhood education and promote family and community development.  A nationally accredited independent child care center and academic school for children six weeks to eight years of age, the Center serves over 200 children and has a staff of approximately 50 employees, with a total operating budget in excess of $2.5MM. Established in 1990, the Center was one of the first five institutions in the Delaware Valley to meet the rigorous, voluntary accreditation standards of the National Association for the Education of Young Children’s (NAEYC) Early Childhood Academy and recently received re-accreditation for another five years.  In August 2009, an Enrichment Center serving preschool, kindergarten and school age students opened adjacent to the main building.

The Center has also achieved Four Stars (the highest designation) in Pennsylvania’s “Keystone Stars” Early Childhood Learning Initiative. Since 1993, several Caring Center teachers have won the prestigious Tylenol & Terri Lynne Lokoff Child Care Foundation National Child Care Teacher Award. In 2003, the Center was a recipient of the “Best Place to Work Award” from the Delaware Valley Association for the Education of Young Children.  The Center’s most recent accomplishment is the successful acquisition of an affiliate license for the Raising a Reader Program. Through this national book-lending program, the Center assists local programs interested in improving and supporting early literacy.

Programs
The Center promotes children’s development of basic skills, self-confidence, respect, caring for others and social skills, and children attending the Center prepare for the adventure and excitement of formal education through a carefully developed program of age appropriate activities. Each child’s development is reviewed with their family on a regular basis.  The Center is cognizant of its multiculturalism and purposefully encourages the skills necessary for children to thrive amongst a diverse group of people.  The Center works to ensure that each child feels valued while in its care.  The program nurtures and encourages the cognitive, social, literacy and emotional growth of each child and fosters a lifelong love of learning. Activities are planned with a keen focus on the development of each age group and are aligned with the Pennsylvania Early Learning Standards.

Unique Features
What makes the Caring Center the Special Place it is?
“It’s a place designed to meet the needs of children and parents alike.”
•    Open 52 weeks a year from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
•    Extended hours enabling parents to drop off their children as early as 7 a.m. by prior arrangement
•    Voted “Best Place to Work” by Delaware Valley Association of Young Children
•    Please Touch Museum Educators of Distinction Award, Kindergarten
•    Accessible from Center City, Art Museum area, West Philadelphia, and suburban locations
•    Well served by public transportation and adjacent to the Schuylkill Expressway
•    Meals and fresh baked goods prepared in our own “Five Star” kitchen
•    Trips and excursions around the city and region to broaden the children’s horizons
•    After-school and Summer Camp Program for 3 to 8 year-olds
•    Accredited by the National Academy of Early Childhood Programs (NAEYC)
•    Pennsylvania Keystone Stars  Program  4 Stars
•    Private Academic School License for Kindergarten program
•    National Raising a Reader Affiliate
•    PA Pre-K Counts and Head Start Partnership with School District of Philadelphia
•    We serve as a model child care center for student teachers, practicum students and interns.

Position Overview:
This is an exceptional opportunity to lead and be the face of an exemplary organization that has made and will continue to make a remarkable and tangible impact on the lives of children, families and the community.  The Executive Director reports directly to the Board of Directors, and with input from staff, determines and ensures execution of the overall organizational vision, strategic direction, and operating and fiscal policies to ensure successful fulfillment of the Center’s mission.  S/he  will continue to strengthen the Center’s already excellent reputation – build, maintain and nurture a network of influential constituents relevant to the Center’s mission and continue to develop cohesion and visibility.  The Executive Director leads the overall curriculum, prepares and manages the budget, operations and fund development of the school. The Executive Director will be responsible for overall operations of the center/school as well as the managing of external relationships, in addition to maintaining all licenses and accreditations. Acting as the ambassador of the School, the Executive Director will be responsible for advocating for the school as well as for staff with such organizations as NYAEYC, DVAEYC, and the School District of Philadelphia — as well as both local and national organizations. The Executive Director will work with the Board in the development and implementation of the strategic plan. S/he will be dynamic and innovative while paying close attention to curriculum and activities.

Specific Responsibilities Include:
Staff:
•    Locate appropriate training opportunities and make accommodations for staff development.
•    Interview and recommend hiring of teaching and support staff.
•    Mentor/coach staff.

Children/Families:
•    Enroll families and keep clear communication with parents, making sure they understand the program while advising them of scheduling and implementing new policies and procedures.
•    Confer with parents regarding facility activities, policies, and enrollment procedures.
•    Possess the demeanor, flexibility and personal characteristics to relate to the broadest cross section of the school’s constituencies.

Center Operations:
•    Work with financial team to prepare a budget.
•    Oversee and have ultimate responsibility for billing, budgeting, marketing, advertising, purchasing, and collaborating with community agencies.
•    Be responsible for grants and contracts-management.
•    Keep abreast of licensure requirements, certification, and accreditation matters and policy changes.

Critical Skills/Requirements:
•    Bachelor’s (or higher) degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development or related field is preferred along with post graduate qualifications.
•    Minimum of five or more years of management experience within a school.
•    Strong commitment to early childhood education and an overall love of learning.
•    Teaching experience would be highly desirable; a demonstrated interest in and dedication to the shaping of the educational experience through faculty leadership and development and academic curriculum, arts, etc.
•    Work history evidencing leadership, imagination and initiative in creatively moving an organization through change and growth.
•    Forward thinking and flexible in an ever changing political and economic climate.
•    High energy, and the ability to motivate, lead and inspire Board, staff, and collaborating partners.
•    Exemplary relationship building, identity building and influencing skills.
•    Exceptional communicator, internally and externally, both orally and in writing; ability to distill varied sources of information and communicate clearly and effectively with multiple constituencies, including media and funders.
•    Financial, operational, and programmatic skills.
•    Proven success in executive or senior management within relevant organization.
•    Strong commitment to high ethical standards and accountability.

Compensation
Competitive salary and benefits package

Travel
Occasional travel

Contact Information
If you wish to explore this position, please contact:

Beth Hare
Criterion Search Group, Inc.
Phone:   610.581.0590
E-mail:  hare@criterionsg.com
http://www.criterionsg.com