Barkley Early Learning Center Director

Lead. Inspire. Make a Lasting Impact.

At the YMCA, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive. As a leading nonprofit dedicated to youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility, we’re looking for a passionate and experienced Early Learning Center Director to lead one of our vibrant early learning centers.

If you’re an inspiring leader who loves building strong teams, supporting families, and creating high-quality early childhood experiences, this is your opportunity to make a meaningful difference every day.

What You’ll Do

As the Early Learning Center Director, you’ll serve as the heart of your center — guiding daily operations, develop staff, and ensuring every child receives safe, enriching, and developmentally appropriate care.

Champion High-Quality Early Learning

• Oversee daily operations including scheduling, purchasing, meal coordination, and family communication.
• Ensure all programs meet or exceed state, county, and local licensing regulations.
• Maintain YMCA program standards and safety procedures, including ADA accommodations and mandated reporting requirements.

Manage Operations & Growth

• Develop and manage program budgets; monitor enrollment trends and compile program statistics.
• Support billing processes for CACFP, DCYF WCCC, and other funding sources.
• Assess and expand programs to meet evolving community needs in partnership with the Association Director of Youth Development.
• Assist with marketing efforts and actively participate in fundraising and sponsorship opportunities.

Lead & Inspire a Strong Team

• Recruit, hire, train, and develop high-quality staff and volunteers
• Provide coaching, performance feedback, and professional development.
• Foster a positive, motivating work culture where certifications are current and excellence is the standard.

Build Relationships That Matter

• Cultivate strong partnerships with families through consistent communication and engagement activities.
• Collaborate with community partners and YMCA departments to enhance program impact.
• Model inclusive, relationship-centered leadership in every interaction.
• Foster a center environment rooted in trust, safety, and belonging

Our Commitment to Equity

Everything we do at the YMCA is grounded in the belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential. We are committed to eliminating barriers to access, addressing disparities in health and education, supporting working families, and nurturing the next generation of changemakers.

We proudly create inclusive spaces that welcome individuals of all:

• Races and ethnicities
• Gender identities and sexual orientations
• Abilities
• Ages
• Religions
• Socioeconomic backgrounds

What We’re Looking For

We’re seeking a mission-driven leader who brings both heart and operational excellence to early childhood education.

Our ideal candidate will have:

• Minimum 3 years of experience working with youth ages birth–five
• Minimum 2 years of supervisory experience, including paid or volunteer roles
• Bachelor’s degree in youth development, child development, education, recreation, outdoor education, or a related field
• Educational and experience qualifications established by Department of Child Youth and Families (DCYF)
• Skills in budgeting, enrollment management, and program evaluation
• Proven success supervising, mentoring, and motivating diverse teams
• Strong understanding of positive youth development principles
• Excellent communication skills with youth and adults
• Ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and teams effectively
• Ability to relate to diverse populations across social and economic backgrounds
• Prior leadership experience as a classroom lead, assistant director, or center director

Most importantly, we’re looking for someone who believes in the power of community and is inspired to help children thrive during their most formative years.

Why Join the YMCA?

• Purpose-driven leadership role with measurable community impact
• Supportive, collaborative culture
• Opportunities for professional growth and development
• The ability to shape inclusive programs that empower children and families

If you’re ready to lead with heart, champion equity, and create a thriving early learning environment where children and families feel supported and empowered — we’d love to meet you.

 Apply today and help shape the future, one child at a time.

Salary : $34 - $40