The Richard S. Adler Early Childhood Learning Center (ECLC) is a part of The Roth Family JCC, located in Maitland, FL since 1973. The Roth Family JCC is a part of Shalom Orlando, the center of Jewish life in Central Florida. We are seeking candidates with strong leadership skills, knowledge of child development and to serve as the ECLC leader in the role of preschool director.
The ECLC has been one of the leading early childhood learning centers in the Orlando community for more than 50 years, as well as in the JCC movement. With a sizable enrollment of infants through pre-K, and a strong leadership team, our philosophy is rooted in the Reggio Emilia approach. This philosophy synergizes beautifully with Jewish culture, celebrations, and values, creating a unique and enriching environment for our young learners. The ECLC is committed to fostering a love for Israel and a strong Jewish identity in our children. Additionally, the ECLC is accredited by the National Accreditation Commission for Early Care and Education Programs.
JOB SUMMARY
The Director of the ECLC is responsible for the comprehensive management and leadership of this prestigious early childhood education program, overseeing all operations of the center. This role is instrumental in guiding the vision, strategy, and day-to-day operations of the ECLC, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, developmentally appropriate education in both secular and Jewish contexts. The Director leads the strategic planning, oversight, and administration of the ECLC, ensuring alignment with the mission and goals of The Roth Family JCC and Shalom Orlando. This position encompasses program development, staff management, family engagement, financial resource development, and administrative oversight, requiring a passion for early childhood education and a commitment to the Jewish mission of our organization.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Strategic Leadership and Vision
- Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive vision for the ECLC, ensuring alignment with The Roth Family JCC's mission and infusing Jewish values into all
- Establish and monitor goals, benchmarks, and evaluation systems for all programs, continuously assessing their effectiveness and impact on participants.
- Collaborate with key leadership on space requirements, resource allocation, and long-term
- Establish and lead a Parent Advisory Committee to ensure continuous improvement and alignment with community needs.
- Stay informed about trends in early childhood education and Jewish programming, incorporating best practices into the ECLC's offerings.
2. Program Development and Innovation
- Design, develop, and oversee the implementation of comprehensive programs for all age groups, from infants to pre-K.
- Champion and further develop the Reggio Emilia-inspired approach in the ECLC, ensuring that the environment, curriculum, and teaching practices reflect this philosophy while integrating Jewish values and traditions.
- Implement and develop a balanced secular and Jewish curriculum, ensuring high educational standards and engagement for all students, while fostering a love for Israel and a strong connection to Jewish heritage.
- Support the Assistant Directors in creating and managing the overall program schedules, including daily activities and special events.
- Continuously assess and refine program offerings to ensure they meet participant needs, align with current trends, and support the organization's mission.
- Oversee the procurement and management of all necessary equipment and
- Develop and integrate enrichment programming into Shayna's Village and other family engagement initiatives.
- Support the Assistant Directors in overseeing Camp J and other early childhood-related programs, ensuring program alignment with ECLC goals.
3. Staff Management and Development
- Oversee the recruitment, training, supervision, and evaluation of all ECLC staff, including the assistant directors, curriculum specialist, program supervisors, Shayna's Village Director, PJ Library Orlando professional, office staff, and teaching staff.
- Implement staff retention strategies, including creating career advancement opportunities and facilitating ongoing professional development to maintain a high-quality, consistent team.
- Develop and implement a robust training program, including comprehensive orientation for new hires and ongoing in-service training for all staff.
- Conduct regular performance evaluations and provide continuous feedback to promote staff growth and program improvement.
- Foster a positive work culture that aligns with the organization's values and mission across all
- Ensure compliance with all relevant labor laws and organizational policies in staff
4. Family Engagement & Community Relations
- Lead family engagement efforts, including communication with parents, parent education programs, and active involvement in conferences and family events.
- Drive enrollment initiatives by managing prospective family inquiries, conducting tours, and overseeing the enrollment process through the organization's CRM system.
- Actively engage with the Orlando-area Jewish community online and offline to connect with prospective families
- Organize and participate in open houses and other events to showcase the ECLC to prospective and current families.
- Collaborate with partners to provide resources and referrals for children requiring additional
- Partner with the marketing team to design and execute strategies that promote the center, drive enrollment, and support retention.
- Serve as the preschool's primary liaison with Shalom Orlando Board, the ECLC Parent Advisory Committee, and key volunteers to evaluate and enhance programming.
- Build strong connections with local Jewish institutions, including the Gotlib Jewish Academy, to ensure smooth transitions for children and to enhance overall Jewish learning experiences.
- Support the PJ Library Orlando professional in developing enriching programs for young families to engage with the Jewish community.
- Create and facilitate leadership and volunteer opportunities for parents to actively contribute to school improvement, innovate programs and events, and most importantly, foster a strong sense of community within the parent body.
5. Financial Management, Compliance, and Safety
- Manage the financial health of the ECLC, overseeing budgeting, enrollment trends, and financial reporting in coordination with organizational goals.
- Work with the Development Director and Executive Director on fundraising initiatives supporting ECLC and broader community programming.
- Ensure the center complies with all licensing and accreditation requirements, including maintaining "Advanced" Director-level credentials and adhering to Department of Children and Families and NAC standards.
- Monitor enrollment trends and regularly report key benchmarks/statistics to Shalom Orlando
- Ensure facilities are maintained to the highest standards to provide a safe, welcoming environment for families and staff.
- Oversee the emergency/crisis operations and communications plans for early childhood programs in coordination with the Director of Security.
QUALIFICATIONS
Skills and Experience
- Must meet or exceed Florida's "Advanced" Director of Child Care level
- A minimum of 5 years of experience in early childhood education, including leadership roles such as Assistant Director or Director.
- Proven success in managing large-scale educational programs, including budgeting and program
- Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with families, staff, and the community.
- Familiarity with CRM systems, Microsoft Office, and a strong aptitude for learning new software
- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced
- Strong crisis management skills, with the ability to handle high-pressure situations
- Knowledge of Jewish traditions, holidays, culture, and community is
- Bachelor's degree required; a Master's degree in early childhood education or a related field is
- Prior experience in Jewish early childhood education leadership is highly
Certifications and Physical Requirements
- First Aid/CPR certification required (or willingness to obtain)
- Ability to lift and move up to 50 pounds
- Comfort working in both indoor and outdoor environments
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment includes a typical climate-controlled office, time spent in classrooms, and time outdoors in various weather conditions. Travel may be required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The JCC is an equal opportunity employer to all qualified persons without regard to race, creed, color, sex, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental handicap, or veteran status.
Since 1973, The Roth Family Jewish Community Center of Greater Orlando in Maitland has been the center of Jewish life in Central Florida and home to award-winning preschool, after school, summer camp, fitness, sports, arts and community programs.