Executive Director

About the organization

York Day Early Learning is York County’s oldest independent nonprofit early learning center with almost ninety five years of service to our community. We pride ourselves on our commitment to quality by achieving and maintaining the highest accreditations while keeping our program accessible and affordable to working families. Our flagship facility, located in downtown York, serves approximately 140 children, from ages six weeks through school age. A low child-to-teacher ratio is maintained with approximately 30 direct care educators. Over 80% of York Day students come from low income, working families, a risk factor for school failure. York Day’s mission is to deliver the highest quality of early care and education possible in a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment, which is vital for the healthy development of each student. The environment and child-driven curriculum are designed to develop the total child—emotionally, socially, physically, and intellectually. We believe in the power of Great Beginnings for Bright Futures!

Reports to

York Day Early Learning Board of Directors

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree required
• Master’s Degree preferred
• Three to five years’ nonprofit management experience required

About the role

The Executive Director is responsible for the overall leadership, administration and management of York Day Early Learning including our high-quality early childhood education programming, fund development activities, and overall business administration. Areas of responsibility include planning, evaluation, fund development, administration, board and organizational development, human resources, fiscal management, and community relations.

Responsibilities

• Establish strategic direction and priorities by engaging board and staff in an ongoing cycle of strategic planning, implementation, and assessment
• Exercise responsible financial stewardship by engaging the leadership team and the board of directors in development of the annual budget and on-going, informed oversight of York Day’s financial position
• Oversee fund development activities including the solicitation of major gifts and strategic partnerships
• Directly supervise the staff leadership team and foster an environment in which team members have a commitment to each other, to a high level of collective achievement, and to a common vision of York Day
• Build and maintain collaborative, trusted, engaged and effective working relationships with the community, and other organizations (including elected officials, donors, foundations and grantors)
• Maintain NAEYC accreditation and Keystone STAR 4 rating
• Ensure compliance with operational policies; federal, state, local statutes, and regulations; and contractual provisions and requirements
• Foster a positive, transparent, and empowering organizational culture that promotes mutual respect, collaboration, and professional development
• Establish a community presence, build productive relationships, and serve as York Day’s advocate-in-chief
• Identify, nurture, and pursue strategic alliances in which the parties share common interests and mission and in which the alliance demonstrates the potential to advance each party's interest
• Shape and implement a plan to develop future board and staff leadership
• Provide on-going support and guidance to the board and board committees

Skills

• Critical thinking and organizational development skills
• Ability to cultivate a high-quality learning and caring environment for children and families
• Capacity to work effectively with families, teachers, volunteers, and community members
• Strong listening and problem-solving skills
• Demonstrated sensitivity and responsiveness to the needs of a diverse population
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Detail-oriented with consistent follow-through
• Flexibility and openness in a changing work environment
• Honest and ethical decision-making abilities
• Dependable team player with a strong work ethic
• Passion for York Day’s mission and our beneficiaries
• The ability to convey York Day’s stories in a compelling way

Compliance requirements

The Executive Director is required to provide York Day Early Learning (YDEL) with documentation that they have obtained a National Sex Offender Registry clearance, an FBI fingerprint record clearance, a PA Child Abuse History clearance, and a PA State Police Criminal Record check clearance dated within the 5 years prior to their first day of YDEL employment with renewal every 5 years following the initial clearance date. The ED is also required to provide YDEL with documentation that they have obtained a staff health assessment and negative TB test result within 1 year of their first day of employment, and they will then be expected to provide documentation bi-annually of renewal of health assessment documentation.

Physical demands

The ED must have reliable transportation to and from work at all York Day properties and as needed for off-site meetings, training, and professional obligations. The ED must occasionally be willing to travel for professional development purposes across state lines, if the training is elsewise unavailable locally. The ED must have the visual and auditory ability to identify and respond to hazards in their environment, must be able to regularly lift children of various sizes and on occasion lift up to fifty pounds for work-related purpose, and must possess adequate mobility and endurance as required to fully engage with students, staff, families, and visitors as well as the general pace and flow of an interactive day.

Pay

From $75,000.00 per year

Benefits

• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule

Full-time, In person