Director, Early Learning Programs - Illinois Action for Children

Illinois Action for Children (“IAFC”), has been a local, state and national leader in the early childhood care and education sector for over 50 years. IAFC programs, services, and advocacy improve learning and life outcomes for children and families, including reducing the effects of poverty. IAFC works to ensure that every child in Illinois – particularly those in need – have access to the necessary resources to succeed in school and in life.

Along with our mission, IAFC is committed to building and maintaining a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and anti-racist culture. We are dedicated to this pledge through our hiring practices and our focus on creating a culture and environment where diverse perspectives, ideas, and identities are valued and integrated into our way of working and servicing our staff and clients. IAFC staff represent a wide diversity of racial, socio-economic, gender, religious, and national identities.

Benefits of Working at IAFC:

• Working with passionate team members that are driven by our Mission: Illinois Action for Children is a catalyst for organizing, developing and supporting strong families and powerful communities where children matter most.
• We strive to foster and implement a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion across our organization. We know it is not only critical to the success of diversity initiatives - but instrumental in creating an unbiassed and inclusive workplace! It not only relates to the diverse clients we serve but also creates a positive employee experience.

We offer an extensive benefits package that adds value to your total compensation. Our benefits include:

• Health, dental and vision insurance plans with company contribution of 95% for single coverage
• 401k with company match
• Generous PTO – first year-23 days, the second year-28 days, the third year and on - 35 days
• 11 Paid Holidays and 1 Floating Holiday
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Flexible Spending Account
• STD & LTD insurance
• Company paid Life Insurance

SUMMARY: Under the direction of the Vice President, Early Learning Programs, the Director, Early Learning Program directs the organization’s Head Start, Early Head Start, Preschool for All programs, including birth to three (Prevention Initiative) and preschool (3-5) programs funded through the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). Develops and maintains relationships with partner child care centers, including the use of a data-driven program improvement system.

This incumbent will be expected to promote and adhere to the workplace core capabilities of: accountability, customer focus, continuous quality improvement, communication, competent people and clear priorities. All work to be completed with minimum supervision and in accordance with organizational standards.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include but are not limited to the following. The company reserves the right to add to, delete, change or modify the essential duties and responsibilities at any time.

1. In collaboration with the Fiscal Manager, Finance, oversees the preparation of budgets for each contract with ISBE and Head Start. Develops site budgets within each contract. Submits budgets and periodic budget revisions to ISBE and Head Start on a regular basis as required by the funder.

2. Prepares grant applications to ISBE and Head Start on an annual basis, for both on-going programs and expansion applications.

3. Prepares contracts with partner child care centers annually.

4. Ensures that participating child care centers meet the requirements of ISBE and/or Head Start funding as well as contract requirements established by Illinois Action for Children.

5. Manages the department’s data-driven program improvement process, including the collection of data and its use in developing and executing program improvement plans.

6. Supervises classroom staff.

7. Ensure a safe, positive learning environment for all children by implementing active supervision. This involves closely observing?children and responding promptly to reduce the risk of injury.?

8. Coordinates the Preschool for All programs with other IAFC programs and departments.

9. Maintains on-going relationships with ISBE, Head Start, and other organizations important to Illinois Action for Children’s Preschool for All programming.

10. Executes our workplace core capabilities of: accountability, customer focus, continuous quality improvement (CQI), communication, competent people, and clear priorities.

11. Independently work on multiple tasks effectively in support of department.

12. Other functions: The organization may assign other functions to the job at its discretion.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Manages one department. Formal responsibility for planning, assigning, directing and coordinator the work of the department. Performs employee evaluations and makes pay and/or hiring decisions.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

· Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or related field.

· Experience working as an early childhood teacher plus a minimum of five years of experience managing early childhood education programs.

While we desire for this job posting to be comprehensive, all aspects of the position may be amended at any time at the discretion of IAFC including job duties, work location and/or work schedule.

This hybrid position will work in Matteson, Illinois IL Action for Children is EEO/M/F/V/D employer.

Salary: $104,000