Hilltop Managing Director

Job Description

Managing Director – Hilltop Early Learning Center

CELC seeks an experienced early education leader with strong relationship-building and operational expertise to manage a dynamic, multi-provider early learning center serving families in Columbus’ Hilltop neighborhood.

Columbus Early Learning Centers (CELC) is one of the Midwest's oldest early education and care provider. Located in Columbus, Ohio, CELC is a nonprofit whose mission is to help young learners develop, families succeed, and neighborhoods thrive. We have been passionately committed to supporting Columbus’ youngest children and their families since 1887. We educate children ages 6 weeks to 5 years old, the most critical period of a person’s life, through year-round, all-day programming, wraparound services and home visits. By providing affordable care to families through government subsidy programs (PFCC/Title XX), public/private investment, and family co-pays, CELC’s services allow caregivers to work while also preparing children for success in school and in life.

City of Columbus’ Mayor, Andrew Ginther, recognizing that fewer children residing in the Hilltop neighborhood were enrolled in quality early learning programs than anywhere else in the city, created an initiative to build a new multi-provider, pre-kindergarten Hilltop Early Learning Center for 4-year-old children residing in zip codes 43204, 43223, 43228. High-quality preschool experiences are now provided year-round at little to no cost for those living in households earning up to 300-percent of the poverty level. This unique model combines the resources of multiple early education focused organizations, as well as an onsite medical suite operated by Nationwide Children’s Hospital, and an onsite food pantry.

The Hilltop Managing Director will oversee day-to-day operations of the building, supervise staff, attend community events, and support recruitment by conducting tours for prospective families.”

Additional duties include ensuring CELC-run classrooms and those of partners adhere to contracts and the defined Scope of Work. The Managing Director will be named as administrator as defined the Ohio Child Care Licensing Rules and SUTQ Guidelines and be the point of contact with ODJFS for matters pertaining to The Center. The person in this role will be The Center Director for up to 6 CELC-run classrooms, overseeing the classroom programs, managing CELC teachers and front desk staff, providing classroom coverage as needed, and overseeing all safety and security measures. They will be responsible for maintaining and streamlining internal systems to help the Center run efficiently and effectively for children, families, staff, and partners. The Managing Director is responsible ensuring that CELC’s financial policies are consistently enforced, including accurately quoting tuition fees if applicable, understanding different funding sources, collecting payments or late pick up fees, and following attendance guidelines. The Managing Director will organize and support the CELC classrooms and coordinate with the daily operations of all building partners.

The Hilltop Managing Director has the following responsibilities:

Uphold CELC’s Values and Mission

Maintain strategic partnerships to further the Center’s objectives

Maintain necessary licensing for the building to remain open

Manage the teaching staff, janitorial and other contractors, and key stakeholders

Seek opportunities for outreach to recruit children and families to the Center, as well as qualified staff

Minimum Job Requirements:

Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience

Previous Center Director experience or management experience

Proficient knowledge of, and commitment to, abiding by ODJFS Child Care Licensing Rules and SUTQ Guidelines

Knowledge and experience working with families living in poverty and families dealing with trauma

Valid Ohio Driver’s License and access to transportation

Must pass a background check

Ability to lift up to 50 pounds

Spanish language proficiency is very desirable

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Proficient knowledge of, and commitment to abide by, CELC Policies and Procedures including the Personnel Policies and Family Guide

Ability to consistently model exemplary professional ethics in all interactions with CELC employees, volunteers, families, enrolled children, and community partners

Ability to work with staff and families with diverse life experiences, with compassion and understanding, forgoing any judgment, acknowledging that societal discrimination creates different realities based on a person’s station in life

Evidence of successful customer service or relationship management

Proven analytical and prioritization skills

Patient and excellent communication skills (verbal and written)

Ability to work independently as well as in a team environment

Ability to prioritize and manage workload and deadlines

Full-time