Child Development Center Director

SUMMARY: This position is responsible for the implementation, delivery, evaluation, and advancement of Goodwill’s childcare and family services. This position oversees the daily operations of Goodwill’s childcare center, ensuring regulatory compliance, program excellence, family engagement, and staff development. The Director provides both leadership and operational management to strengthen families and maintain high-quality childcare services.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Include, but are not limited to the following as other duties may be assigned:

• Promotes the general goals and objectives of the Heart of Texas Goodwill Industries.
• Create, implement, and provide continuous quality improvements for Goodwill’s Family Services.
• Ensure compliance with all state and federal childcare regulations, including maintaining licensure with the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.
• Establish and maintain policies, procedures, and systems that ensure safety, efficiency, and compliance.
• Oversee financial operations including budgeting, enrollment, supply management, and accurate recordkeeping.
• Create and manage staff schedules to ensure appropriate ratios, teamwork, and operational efficiency.
• Recruit, hire, train, mentor, and evaluate staff to maintain a skilled and mission-driven team.
• Provide guidance on classroom practices, curriculum implementation, behavior management and family engagement strategies.
• Maintains accountability of inventory of supplies and materials essential to the operation of the program and follows proper procedures for new acquisitions and purchases.
• Develop strong partnerships with parents, community agencies, and local organizations to support enrollment and outreach.
• Plan and coordinate the annual program calendar with educational, social, and family-focused activities.
• Maintain effective communication with staff, families, and stakeholders through multiple channels.
• Stay current on best practices in childcare, early childhood education, and family strengthening services through professional development.
• Ensure confidentiality, professionalism, and child safety in all areas of responsibility.
• Contribute to fundraising, community relations, and long-term program planning.
• Other duties as assigned.

Leadership Competencies:

Qualification Requirements:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Must pass a drug screen. A criminal background check is required. A driver’s license check is required. Must show proof of current driver’s license and minimum auto liability insurance coverage.

Minimum Skills:

• Proven leadership and management skills in a licensed childcare center, preschool, or early childhood education program.
• Demonstrated success managing center operations including budgeting, enrollment, compliance, and staff supervision.
• Proven knowledge of state and federal childcare regulations, licensing standards and quality rating/accreditation systems (e.g., NAEYC).
• Experience in staff recruitment, training, coaching, and performance management.
• Background in curriculum development, family engagement, and community partnership preferred.
• Non-profit program administration or fund development experience a plus.
• Strong understanding of child development, early learning frameworks, and family support practices.
• Excellent leadership, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to build positive relationships with children, families, staff, and community partners.
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and culturally responsive care.
• Hands-on leader with the ability to balance daily operations and long-term planning.
• Must be able to identify potential hazards and implement control measures to reduce risk and maintain a safe work environment.
• Strong customer service skills and the ability to work effectively with a variety of individuals and personalities, both internally (employees and staff) and externally (the media, businesses, community partners, etc.)
• Proficiency in completing assignments independently, on time, and within budget.
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize and thrive in fast-paced, consistently changing environment.
• Ability to uphold high standards of confidentiality, ethics and integrity.

Education and/or Experience, Technical Skills:

Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Family Studies, or a related field required; Master’s degree preferred. Minimum of 5 years of leadership experience in a licensed childcare center, preschool, or early childhood education program.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

Current Director’s Credential from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission required (or eligibility to obtain prior to hire). Current CPR/First Aid certification (or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire). Must maintain a valid driver's license and a driving record acceptable to Goodwill's liability insurance provider.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the noise level in the work environment ranges from quiet to very noisy.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Frequently required to communicate
• The job requires using a computer.
• Occasionally lift children (up to 40 pounds) and actively participate in classroom activities as needed.

Discrimination Reports:

It is the policy of Heart of Texas Goodwill to ensure equal employment opportunity in accordance with all state and federal regulations and guidelines. Employment discrimination against employees and applicants due to race, color, religion, sex (including sexual harassment), national origin, disability, age (40 years old or more), military status, or veteran status is illegal.

Heart of Texas Goodwill managers and employees will comply with state and federal equal employment laws, rules, regulations, and guidelines. Any employees that deliberately violate this policy will be subject to disciplinary action.

Persons who believe Heart of Texas Goodwill has discriminated against them may file a discrimination complaint with the Compliance Officer. The Compliance Officer has full authority to manage issues involving employment discrimination.

Point of contact to file allegations of discrimination:

Compliance Officer

Location:1700 S New Road, Waco TX 76711

Phone Number: 254-753-7337 ext. 450

Email Address: hr@hotgoodwill.org