Early Learning Center Director

About Urban Ventures

Urban Ventures is a faith-based nonprofit with the mission to educate children, strengthen their families, and build a healthy community. The organization primarily serves the Central and Phillips neighborhoods of South Minneapolis—an area rich in culture and diversity—with the overarching goal to prepare and send every child in the neighborhood to college or some form of postsecondary education.

About the Program

The Cornwell Early Learning Center is a program of Urban Ventures that provides and supports children ages 6 weeks to pre-kindergarten with early learning to develop their cognitive functions: how they think, explore, and figure things out. With an emphasis on social and emotional development, they help children develop the interests and skills that they need as they continue to grow.

Position Summary

The Center's director will develop a market-leading early childhood learning experience and collaborate closely with other Urban Ventures program leaders to provide access to everything the organization has to offer youth and families. The director must bring an entrepreneurial mindset to this position and feel comfortable executing a business model that includes both market-rate as well as subsidized-fee components for 80+ children. The director must be deeply committed to management best practices, teacher training and development, creative problem-solving, and working in a collaborative manner to achieve ambitious goals. Additionally, the director will supervise two complementary family service programs, Siempre Padres and Me and My Baby.

Primary Responsibilities

The director will be responsible for ensuring the health, safety, and quality of education for all in the Center's care. This role is directly accountable for overall operational performance in accordance with industry best practices, including curriculum oversight, staff and facilities management, financial management, legal compliance, and long-range planning. In short, the director ensures that the needs of every student and family are met with excellence.

Senior Director Team Role

This role will be part of the Senior Director Team at Urban Ventures, the team responsible for overseeing and managing the organization's programs. In addition to direct program management, the Senior Director provides leadership, supervision, and accountability for assigned directors, ensuring high-quality execution and alignment with organizational priorities. Working closely with the Executive Leadership Team and fellow Senior Directors, this role helps shape and implement program strategy that emphasizes our commitment to participant-centered service, a culture of excellence and care among staff, and the achievement of measurable outcomes that drive forward Urban Ventures' mission, vision, and Big Goal. As a key organizational leader, the Senior Director plays a critical role in influencing high-level programmatic decisions, fostering cross-departmental collaboration, and championing innovation and continuous improvement across all areas of responsibility.

Vision and Program Development

• Maintain a detailed operations plan for the CELC with an eye towards continual improvement and meeting enrollment targets.
• Work in lockstep with Executive Leadership Team to position CELC for strategic and operational success.
• Provide leadership to the Early Childhood and Families group, which includes the CELC, Siempre Padre and Me and My Baby.
• Ensure that all program activities operate ethically within the faith-based mission and values of Urban Ventures.
• Collaborate with other UV staff and programs.

Pedagogical Leadership

• Lead implementation of the curriculum and assessment framework to track progress towards developmental milestones and identify learning differences.
• Meet standards to maintain a 4-star Parent Aware rating designation.
• Leverage data and technology to support individualized learning experiences for all children.
• Set the framework for fostering effective relationships with families.

Staff Management and Development

• Hold your direct reports to predetermined key performance indicators; attract, develop, coach, and retain high-performance team members.
• Facilitate regular and ongoing staff interactions to promote a positive workplace environment.
• Build relationships with each team member to provide ongoing feedback and identify opportunities for their professional growth.
• In conjunction with the Assistant Director, organize staff development sessions and trainings to complete all necessary continuing education requirements for state licensure and further develop the skills of the staff.
• Provides oversight of the Assistant Director, who will be responsible for the day-to-day administration of the Center.
• Supervise the Assistant Director and Family Coordinator and the Siempre Padres Program Director.
• Support the Assistant Director in handling employee relations issues and concerns.
• Collaborate with other UV departments (HR, IT, Finance, Facilities) in areas relating to CELC staff.
• Collaborate with the Assistant Director, Human Resources, and other UV staff to recruit, hire, and retain staff; address employee relations matters, as needed.

Finance, Administration, and Governance

• Integrate with and leverage Urban Ventures' operational processes and systems, including but not limited to calendaring, record keeping (staff and students/families), and reporting requirements (internal and external).
• Ensure the center's enrollment plan achieves strategic goals and revenue/expense expectations.
• Further develop and maintain an annual operating budget and review monthly financials.
• Ensure the center has clear policies and practices for staff and families and drive accountability for complying with them.
• Ensure daily operations meet standards required by licensing and applicable certifications.
• Assist Advancement department employees in developing proposals for new funding opportunities.

Team and Organizational Involvement

• Participate in all Urban Ventures staff meetings and training programs, as invited or required.
• Demonstrate alignment with Urban Ventures' values, policies, and procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support the mission and sustainability of Urban Ventures.

Required Qualifications

• Education: A bachelor's degree or higher in Early Childhood Learning or related field. An associate's degree in early childhood Learning and additional relevant experience will be considered in lieu of a bachelor's degree.
• Experience: Five+ years managing large early childhood programs. Previous experience teaching in an early childhood program preferred.
• Knowledge: Expert knowledge of state/local childcare licensing regulations. Familiarity with Parent Aware application and renewal process for rating designation.
• Successful completion of a pre-employment background check and future checks as required by State licensing.

Core Competencies

• Accountability and goal orientation: Uses data, experience, and sound judgment to make decisions; manages revenue and expenses responsibly; balances quality programming with budget realities.
• Program measurement and impact: Uses both quantitative and qualitative measures to assess progress and improve results; has experience strengthening early learning, youth development, and/or family-focused programs.
• Strategic thinking: Learns from trends, community needs, and changing conditions; applies those insights to planning, problem-solving, and resource decisions.
• General management: Understands core business functions, including planning, budgeting, finance, human resources, and marketing.
• Diversity and team development: Builds staff capacity by helping team members feel valued, supported, and challenged; works effectively across diverse communities and partnerships.
• Action orientation: Responds well to change, solves problems, takes appropriate risks, and follows through on commitments.
• Communication: Communicates clearly in writing and in person; Spanish/English bilingual skills preferred.
• Faith and values alignment: Supports Urban Ventures' mission and is comfortable working within its faith-based values.

Working Hours

Regular working hours Monday through Friday – a variable 8-hour schedule between the hours of 7 am to 6 pm, with flexibility for 3-4 later evenings and/or weekend work each year. This position shares responsibility for opening and closing the Center on a predetermined and rotating basis, typically a minimum of 3 per week is required.