Director of the WIU Infant and Preschool Center

10-month appointment starting August 1, 2026.

About the role

The Director of the WIU Infant and Preschool Center oversees all operational aspects of the lab site, including budget management, grant coordination, and compliance. The role involves day-to-day supervision, instructional coaching, and serving as a community liaison for the Macomb area early childhood community. The Director will also lead fundraising efforts, secure philanthropic support, and ensure diverse family engagement.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day supervision and instructional coaching for the WIU Infant and Preschool Center.
• Plan and implement all operational aspects, including budget and grant coordination.
• Assist with ECACE support for Macomb workforce members, including serving as the onsite mentor teacher for observational/field hours.
• Act as a community liaison and committee attendee for the Macomb area early childhood community.
• Partner with the Center for Best Practices in Early Childhood Education.
• Ensure compliance and instructional tasks are completed for a high-quality early care and education site.
• Lead fundraising and secure philanthropic support.
• Implement diverse family engagement initiatives regularly.

Requirements

• 3 or more years working as a Gateways Level 5 or PEL qualified early childhood teacher (Birth-Grade 2) in a linguistically diverse school or community-based setting.
• Understanding of Illinois' birth to three and 3-5 early childhood systems.
• Familiarity with the ECACE scholarship and current legislation supporting the Early Childhood Workforce Pipeline.
• Basic understanding of the Gateways system and credentials.
• Experience working with community and family organizations.
• Ability to organize multiple tasks and work independently.
• Excellent verbal, written, and digital communication skills, with a trauma-informed and culturally/linguistically responsive approach.
• Public speaking/presentation experience, including comfort with virtual platforms.
• Ability to recognize, value, and use team approaches and philosophy.
• Ability to support students through higher education while serving incumbent workers.
• Commitment to treating all students, children, and family members with kindness and respect, regardless of cultural, linguistic, racial, religious, gender, or socioeconomic differences.
• Awareness of personal biases and ability to work effectively with diverse team members, including graduate assistants and student workers.
• Understanding of the unique challenges and assets of students who are also incumbent workers.
• Basic technology skills, including proficiency in Google Suite tools.
• Ability to use technology for optimal mentoring services.
• Ability to complete documentation and operational duties comprehensively and timely.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience as a lead teacher or in a leadership role within a school, community organization, or non-profit.

Pay

$44,000 - $46,000 per year, commensurate with experience.

Benefits

• Health Insurance plans (HMO’s, OAP’s, QCHP, and CDHP).
• Dental and Vision Insurance.
• Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D).
• Supplemental Long-Term Disability (LTD).
• Flexible Spending Accounts (HSA, MCAP, and DCAP).
• 403(b) Supplemental Retirement Plans and 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plans.
• Participation in the State Universities Retirement System (SURS).
• Paid time-off.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Tuition Waiver programs.
• Discounts to the local YMCA.

For a full list of benefits, visit the WIU Benefits Homepage. For questions, contact HR-Benefits@wiu.edu or call 309-298-1971.