Fast Facts

Think Together is seeking a Director of Early Learning to oversee its early learning programs in San Jose, CA, ensuring compliance with educational standards while fostering community partnerships.

Responsibilities: Key responsibilities include leading the strategic direction of early learning programs, ensuring regulatory compliance, supervising staff, managing budgets, and fostering community partnerships.

Skills: The ideal candidate should have strong leadership, communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills, along with experience in early childhood education and program management.

Qualifications: A Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education or related field with 7-10 years of leadership experience is required. A valid Child Development Director's Permit and Spanish bilingualism are mandatory.

Location: San Jose, CA, US

Compensation: $105000 - $110000 / Annually

Overview

Director of Early LearningFounded in 1997, Think Together partners with schools to change the odds for kids by providing award-winning programs during and outside the school day. We’re one of California’s largest nonprofits working in school districts from San Diego to San Francisco. Whether you’re interested in early learning, elementary, middle or high school, you can invest in your community by working at a local school or working within our home office providing support!JOB SUMMARY: Under the direction of the Executive Director of Early Learning Programs, Director of Early Learning will be instrumental in day-to-day oversight of Think's early learning programs. The Director of Early Learning will be responsible for partnering with the Executive Director in the development of necessary strategies to meet all program goals including collaborating with community partners to deliver a quality program. The Director of Early Learning will also supervise staff, ensuring that they are supporting program goals and enforcing program policies. The Director of Early Learning in collaboration with the Executive Director will be the programmatic liaison between partners, the community and stakeholders. The Director of Early Learning plays a key role in advancing the organization’s mission to promote school readiness, family engagement, and long-term success for children in underserved communities. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: • Provide strategic and operational leadership of the program, overseeing day to day execution to ensure service quality, efficiency, and full regulatory compliance. • Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state and local regulations, including Community Care Licensing Division, Title 5 regulations, and requirements for state preschool and general childcare programs. • Monitor regulatory updates and legislative changes. Proactively adjust program operations and train staff accordingly to remain in full compliance. • Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive early learning strategy that aligns with organizational and district goals. • Supervise and support early learning staff, and instructional leaders in preschool. • Ensure compliance with state and federal regulations across all programs. (State Preschool, CCTR and Community Care Licensing requirements). • Monitor program effectiveness through data analysis, assessments, and continuous improvement processes. • Develop and manage budgets for early learning programs, including grant-funded initiatives. • Build and maintain partnerships with families, community organizations, and early childhood agencies. • Provide professional development and capacity-building opportunities for early learning educators and administrators. • Responsible for completing the Annual Program Self-Assessment (PSE) in partnership with the Executive Director of Early Learning Programs. • Provide leadership for program staff and provide the necessary coaching, training, and guidance. • Generate and submit program reports on a timely manner in partnership with the Executive Director of Early Learning OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES: • Actively participate with ideas and feedback during planning sessions geared towards the review and development of program plans • Purchase preapproved program supplies and materials as needed abiding by all Think Together set policies and procedures • Maintain ongoing two-way communication with providers, educators, and parents to obtain information to better serve families and maintain program quality. • Facilitate workshops on early literacy strategies for staff, providers and parents as needed • Maintain accurate/detailed records, and facilitate meetings, and documentation• Act as a role model for the communities, fostering professionalism and leadership qualities while always upholding Think Together's mission and values in positive regard • Maintain compliance with Think Together policies and procedures • Participate in Think Together trainings and meetings as requested; May be required to facilitate workshops QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS: • Bachelor's degree (BA) in Early Childhood Education, Child Development or related field, (master’s preferred). • A valid Child Development Director's Permit is required. • At least 7-10 years in a leadership, supervisory, and management capacity role. • Previous teaching experience in early childhood education is required. • Experience in managing budgets and contracts • Strong communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills. • The ability to work collaboratively with diverse populations and manage multiple priorities. • Deep knowledge of child development, early learning pedagogy, and relevant education laws/policies. • Proven experience managing teams, budgets, and cross-functional initiatives. • Strong interpersonal, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills. • Ability to analyze data to drive instructional and programmatic decisions. • Biliterate in Spanish to communicate in written and oral effectively is required • Experience with early learning assessment tools and curriculum frameworks (e.g., CLASS, CLASS Environments, Creative Curriculum, ASQ 3&ASQSE3, FCCERS). COMPUTER SKILLS: • Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, Outlook, and Teams • Customer Relationship Management software (Salesforce) • Project Management tools (Asana, Microsoft Planner, etc.)

CompensationRange : $105,000-$110,000

Think Together is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, religious creed, physical disability, mental disability, age for individuals age 40 and over, medical condition (as defined by state law (for example, cancer or genetic characteristics or HIV/AIDS), marital status, military and veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, citizenship status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Our management team is dedicated to this policy with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities and general treatment during employment.