Early Learning Center Site Director

Refugee Women's Alliance (ReWA) is seeking an Early Learning Center Site Director to lead one of our culturally and linguistically diverse early learning centers in the Seattle area. This role offers the opportunity to lead a mission-driven team while serving children and families representing more than 70 countries, where every classroom intentionally supports dual language learning and multilingual development.

About the Role

At ReWA, every classroom incorporates a second language as part of children's daily learning experience. We welcome leaders who value multilingualism and culturally responsive education. Bilingual or multilingual candidates are strongly encouraged to apply, although proficiency in another language is not required.

Pay

$80,000-$115,000 annually, depending on qualifications and experience.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Retirement benefits
• Generous paid time off
• Professional development opportunities

Schedule

Full-time, onsite leadership position supporting children, families, and staff. Early Learning Centers currently operate Monday through Friday, generally between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Site Director schedules are aligned with center operations and program needs.

Locations

We are hiring for multiple locations in the Seattle area:

• North Seattle: The Nook at North Haven in Northgate and Lake City.
• South Seattle: MLK/Rainier Valley and Beacon Hill.

These centers serve children from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds and offer a mix of preschool and, in some locations, infant and toddler programming. Placement will be based on organizational needs and candidate preference whenever possible.

About ReWA

For more than 40 years, Refugee Women's Alliance (ReWA) has empowered refugee and immigrant families through culturally and linguistically responsive services. While our early learning programs provide high-quality education for young children, ReWA also supports families through workforce development, employment services, behavioral health, youth programs, housing stabilization, domestic violence advocacy, legal services, interpretation and translation, and family support services. Our early learning centers are part of a much larger network of support designed to help entire families achieve long-term stability and success.

Qualifications

Required:

• Meet Washington State DCYF licensing requirements for an Early Learning Center Director.
• Bachelor's degree or higher that meets Washington State licensing requirements and the educational qualifications for one or more publicly funded early learning programs, including Seattle Preschool Program (SPP) and/or Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP); OR a bachelor's degree in another field with qualifying ECE coursework verified in MERIT, as applicable.
• Experience leading staff within an early childhood education program.
• Experience managing center operations, compliance, staffing, enrollment, and quality improvement.
• Ability to meet all applicable Washington State licensing, SPP, ECEAP, background check, and funding requirements.

Preferred:

• Experience with SPP, ECEAP, Early ECEAP, Head Start, and/or Early Head Start.
• Experience serving immigrant, refugee, and multicultural communities.
• Experience leading dual language or multilingual learning environments.
• Bilingual or multilingual proficiency.
• Experience with MERIT, Teaching Strategies GOLD, ChildPlus, WA Compass, or similar systems.

Additional Qualifications

• Strong leadership, coaching, and team development skills.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities.
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to balance strategic priorities with day-to-day operational needs.
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and culturally responsive practices.
• A collaborative leadership style that values team input, shared decision-making, and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

Center Leadership & Operations

• Lead all day-to-day operations of an Early Learning Center.
• Oversee enrollment, staffing, scheduling, purchasing, and operational planning.
• Monitor center budgets and support financial sustainability.
• Ensure compliance with DCYF licensing, SPP, ECEAP, and other funding requirements.
• Lead licensing visits, audits, and monitoring activities.
• Support center goals, operational performance, while ensuring a positive experience for children, families, and staff.

Educational Excellence

• Champion high-quality teaching and learning.
• Support curriculum implementation, classroom coaching, and continuous quality improvement.
• Promote culturally responsive and dual language education.
• Monitor child assessment and school readiness outcomes.

People Leadership & Development

• Recruit, hire, and onboard new staff members.
• Supervise and support a multidisciplinary team that includes Lead Teachers, Assistant Teachers, administrative staff, cooks, and other support personnel.
• Build a collaborative, accountable, and inclusive workplace culture.
• Provide coaching, mentoring, performance feedback, and professional development support.
• Help strengthen employee engagement, retention, and team effectiveness.

Family & Community Partnerships

• Build trusted relationships with families representing diverse cultures and languages.
• Connect families with ReWA's broader network of support services whenever appropriate.
• Strengthen partnerships with schools, community organizations, and funding partners.

Strategic Leadership & Collaboration

• Partner with organizational leadership and fellow Site Directors to strengthen programs and services.
• Contribute ideas and feedback as part of a collaborative leadership team.
• Support organizational initiatives and collaborate with leadership to advance program goals.
• Help advance ReWA's commitment to equity, belonging, and culturally responsive education.

Not sure whether your education meets SPP or ECEAP qualifications? We encourage you to apply. Our team can help review educational qualifications through the MERIT system during the hiring process.