Early Childhood Director

Reports To: Chief Operating Officer

Location: Dallas, Texas

Status: Full-Time, Exempt

Position Summary:

The Early Childhood Director is a visionary and relationship-centered leader responsible for building and sustaining a vibrant, inclusive, and high-quality early childhood program rooted in Jewish values. With a deep commitment to community building and educational excellence, this leader fosters a warm and nurturing culture for children, families, and staff. The Director oversees the day-to-day operations, guides a team of second-tier leaders and pedagogistas, maintains NAEYC accreditation, and plays an active role across the entire organization and broader Jewish community.

Key Responsibilities:

Community Building & Relationships

• Cultivate a strong, inclusive school community where every family feels welcomed, valued, and connected.
• Serve as the primary relationship-builder with families, ensuring transparent communication, meaningful engagement, and trust.
• Partner with the Parent Association to foster active family involvement and create shared experiences.
• Design and host family programs, holiday celebrations, and community service initiatives that bring families together and deepen their connection to Jewish life.

Staff Leadership & Development

• Lead and inspire a dedicated team of educators, second-tier leaders, and pedagogistas, promoting a culture of collaboration, continuous learning, and mutual respect.
• Provide mentoring and coaching to empower staff and encourage leadership at all levels.
• Support the recruitment, hiring, and retention of top-tier early childhood professionals.
• Develop and implement professional development aligned with early childhood best practices and Jewish values.

Educational Excellence

• Ensure high-quality, developmentally appropriate curriculum and practices guided by child development research and the unique needs of each child.
• Champion a vision of education that integrates Jewish values and traditions in a warm, inclusive, and age-appropriate manner.
• Support pedagogistas in their role as reflective partners in teaching and learning.
• Oversee ongoing assessment and documentation practices to support children’s growth and learning.

Operations & Accreditation

• Maintain NAEYC accreditation and ensure compliance with state licensing, health, and safety standards.
• Manage day-to-day operations, including scheduling, staffing, and enrollment processes.
• Oversee the GECC budget, ensuring financial health and responsible resource allocation.
• Implement systems and procedures that support consistency, quality, and organizational excellence.

Family Engagement & Communication

• Build strong relationships with families through active listening, timely communication, and a commitment to partnership.
• Serve as a resource to families on early childhood development and parenting.
• Offer parent education opportunities and support families in navigating developmental milestones.

Agency & Community Involvement

• Be an active, visible member of the team, collaborating with departments across the agency to support shared goals and initiatives.
• Participate in and support programs, events, and community celebrations.
• Serve as the representative on the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas Early Childhood Directors’ Council, strengthening collaboration across the Jewish early childhood landscape.
• Collaborate with the Jewish Life & Learning department to enrich the Jewish content and identity-building within the GECC.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s in Early Childhood Education, Educational Leadership, Child Development, or a related field strongly preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in early childhood education with at least 3 years in a leadership role.
• Demonstrated success in team leadership, staff supervision, and community engagement.
• Experience maintaining NAEYC accreditation and managing early childhood operations.
• Deep understanding of child development and early learning best practices.
• Strong commitment to Jewish values and the ability to bring them to life in a developmentally appropriate and inclusive way.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.
• CPR/First Aid and Director Licensing Certification (or eligibility to obtain).

Compensation and Benefits:

Salary Commensurate with experience. Comprehensive benefits package including health, dental and vision insurance, paid vacation and holidays, sick time, professional development opportunities, retirement plan, and full organization membership.