Education Director – Early Childhood Education

Company Description The YM & YWHA of Washington Heights and Inwood (“the Y”) is a long-established, visionary Jewish community center and not-for-profit human services organization in Northern Manhattan. The Y provides a broad range of educational, recreational, and social service programs that support individuals and families across the lifespan, including high-quality early childhood education, youth development, and senior services. The organization prioritizes inclusion, offering programs that welcome children with special needs and reflecting the diversity of the Washington Heights/Inwood community in both membership and staff. In addition to on-site programs, the Y operates off-site after-school programs, a housing program for low-income seniors, and a collaborative campground in Rockland County. The Y is a beneficiary member agency of UJA-Federation of New York City and opens its doors to people of all backgrounds.

Role Description The Education Director – Early Childhood Education is a full-time, on-site position based in New York, NY, responsible for the leadership and oversight of the Y’s early childhood education programs. This role includes designing and implementing developmentally appropriate curricula, ensuring alignment with educational standards and organizational values, and fostering an inclusive, nurturing environment for children and families. The Education Director will supervise and mentor teaching staff, provide ongoing professional development and coaching, and collaborate with families to support each child’s growth. Day-to-day responsibilities include managing program operations, maintaining compliance with licensing and regulatory requirements, monitoring program quality, and partnering with organizational leadership on strategic initiatives and community outreach. The role also involves building strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to enhance program impact and visibility.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated expertise in Early Childhood Education and a strong understanding of child development and inclusive educational practices.
• Proficiency in Curriculum Development and Program Development to design, implement, and evaluate high-quality early childhood programs.
• Proven Educational Leadership and Coaching skills to supervise, mentor, and support educators and program staff.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Education, or a closely related field; appropriate state certifications or licensure preferred.
• Experience in managing early childhood centers or comparable educational settings, including staff supervision and regulatory compliance.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with children, families, staff, and community partners.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and culturally responsive practice within a community-based organization.
• Organizational, problem-solving, and time-management skills to handle multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• New York State Teacher Certification (Birth-Grade 2 or equivalent) required

Compensation

• Compensation range of $85,000-$90,000 per year
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) and competitive benefits package: Health Insurance; Retirement Plan, Optional 403b Plan, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending Account, Commuter Benefit Plan, and Y Fitness Center Membership.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

YM&YWHA of Washington Heights & Inwood provides equal employment opportunities to all individuals regardless of race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state, federal, or local law.