Director, Westcliff Early Learning Education Academy

What if I told you it is possible to find a Company that lives to educate, inspires and empowers others while creating a family atmosphere that truly appreciates and respects their team? Would you apply? What if I threw in strong Company values, outstanding benefits, and the opportunity for you to make a tangible impact and feel appreciated?

See below for a feel of what the Company culture is (REALLY) like. Hint: it's amazing.

At Westcliff, we are constantly striving to be the best while valuing each of our team members as human beings and succeeding together!

Westcliff is a leader in innovative global education. We are respected for our transformative, technologically advanced programs and initiatives with a focus on excellence, social responsibility, and diversity. Our tagline – “Educate. Inspire, Empower.” – is a summary of our Mission Statement. As it suggests, the main focus of our University is to strive to enhance the opportunities of our students and employees to enjoy success through empowerment, as a result of their education and hard work.

With diversity and inclusion at the forefront of Westcliff’s core values, we promote a culture that celebrates diversity and inclusiveness regardless of, but not limited to, race, gender, sexual orientation, family status, religion, ethnicity, national origin, physical disability, veteran status, or age. By joining the Westcliff team, you’ll be playing a significant role in our growth, having an opportunity to put your personal touch on Westcliff’s progress as we grow and succeed together!

The Director serves as the key contact for school parents, staff, and other stakeholders and is responsible for providing consistent, high-quality, developmentally appropriate early childhood care, curriculum, and supervision. The Director is responsible for creating a welcoming, healthy, and supportive learning environment for parents and their children, along with modeling and reinforcing a high-performing culture, where staff can do their best work. The Director supervises all school-specific administration and manages daily school staffing and operations with a clear understanding of licensing guidelines, Westcliff policies and procedures, and is directly responsible for the school’s health and safety compliance and risk management. This position collaborates with leadership to ensure high-quality programmatic and administrative consistency across all of Westcliff's classrooms.

• Provide leadership and direction and assume management responsibility for Westcliff Early Childhood Education Academy’s services and activities.
• Manage and participate in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for early childhood education programs, including grants; appropriate service and staffing levels; recommend and administer policies and procedures.
• Select, train, motivate, counsel, and evaluate assigned personnel; provide or coordinate staff training; work with employees to develop skills and abilities. Cultivate a positive, healthy, and professional work environment.
• Manage and participate in the development and administration of the program’s annual budget; direct the forecast of additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; direct the monitoring of and approve expenditures; direct and implement adjustments as necessary.
• Provide leadership and direction and assume management responsibility for Westcliff Early Childhood Education Academy’s services and activities.
• Manage and participate in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for early childhood education programs, including grants; appropriate service and staffing levels; recommend and administer policies and procedures.
• Select, train, motivate, counsel, and evaluate assigned personnel; provide or coordinate staff training; work with employees to develop skills and abilities. Cultivate a positive, healthy, and professional work environment.
• Manage and participate in the development and administration of the program’s annual budget; direct the forecast of additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; direct the monitoring of and approve expenditures; direct and implement adjustments as necessary.
• Provide responsible staff assistance to the Dean of the College of Education; prepare and present staff reports and other necessary correspondence.
• Conduct a variety of organizational studies, investigations, and operational studies; recommend modifications to the program, including policies and procedures as appropriate.
• Ensure the maintenance of a physical environment that conforms to the State Department of Social Services’ licensing standards for health and safety; conduct routine inspections to ensure compliance.
• Plan, organize, and direct the Academy’s curriculum to ensure it provides a quality child development program for children and students in teacher training.
• Supervise the maintenance of appropriate records for children, staff, and students.
• Develop, maintain, and enforce policies and procedures manuals for staff, students, and parents; prepare informational brochures.
• Analyze the needs of the children; supervise the implementation of developmentally appropriate practices and communicate the results to parents, staff, and faculty.
• Management of Staff and teachers at WELA and related vendors
• Interact with support services teams at Westcliff University (HR, Payroll, IT and Acctg), as well as Westcliff senior leadership team 

QUALIFICATIONS:  

• Knowledge of operational characteristics, services, and activities of an early childhood education program.
• Organizational and management practices as applied to the analysis and evaluation of early childhood education programs, policies, and operational needs.
• Modern and complex principles and practices of early childhood development and program administration.
• Grant writing and funding principles and concepts.
• Strong knowledge of state Department of Social Services licensing standards of health and safety.
• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations, including DSS Title 22 regulations, CDE Title 5 regulations, State and County Health and Safety Codes, Playground Safety Regulations, and Federal Food Program for Children and Adults Regulations.
• Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and software.
• Operate a motor vehicle safely.
• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a closely related field required; Master’s degree preferred. 
• Must have at least five years of progressively responsible teaching experience in a child development program, including at least one year in a lead or supervisory role, or an equivalent combination of of education and experience. 
• Experience with Montessori and/or Reggio Emilia approaches is strongly preferred. 
• Demonstrated sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid driver’s license.
• Possession of First Aid, CPR for Infants, Children, and Adults, and a 15-hour course in Preventive CPR and First Aid certificates.