Program Director, First Presbyterian Church Child Development Center
Visit https://firstpres-charlotte.org/employment/ for full job description.
Reports to: FPC School Board
Directly Supervises: FPC Child Development Center Staff
Summary of Child Development Center and Position:
The First Presbyterian Church Child Development Center strives to create a nurturing, inclusive and engaging environment grounded in Christian values, where every child is valued, supported and empowered to reach their fullest potential. The center encourages and fosters an atmosphere where a lifelong love of learning, curiosity and the social physical and cognitive development of every child is evident. Through strong partnerships with families, the church and the community, a foundation for confident, compassionate and capable learners is established.
The Program Director is a full-time, onsite, year-round position that provides strategic leadership and daily operational oversight to ensure excellence in early childhood education, staff development, regulatory compliance, financial stewardship and family engagement. The Director sets the tone for the Center’s culture leading in a manner consistent with the Christian values and mission of First Presbyterian Church (FPC) and fostering an environment of care, respect, integrity and service. The role also promotes a positive and collaborative relationship between the Center and the broader community. It is essential that sensitive organizational, financial, personnel and family matters are handled with integrity, discretion, sound judgment and professionalism.
Key Responsibilities:
- Executive Leadership and Strategic Planning: Provide overall leadership, direction, and management of the CDC. Ensure alignment with mission, philosophy, and goals.
- Financial Management and Budget Oversight: Oversee financial operations of the CDC. Develop, manage, and monitor annual operating budget of over $2.5 million.
- Operational and Administrative Management: Oversee effective and efficient day-to-day operations of the center.
- Educational Leadership and Program Quality: Provide strategic oversight of the center's educational philosophy, curriculum, teaching practices, and program quality across all age groups. Ensure that educational programs reflect current best practices in early childhood education and support children's social, emotional, cognitive, physical, and developmental needs.
- Staff Leadership, Supervision, and Development: Lead, supervise, and support center staff. Ensure clearly defined responsibilities, effective communication, and accountability.
- Enrollment, Family Engagement, and Community Relations: Oversee enrollment management, admissions policies, retention initiatives, and family communication practices.
- Relationship with FPC and the CDC Board: Serve as primary liaison between the CDC, FPC Schools Board, and church leadership.
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree (or higher) in Early Childhood Education, Child Development or related field.
- Minimum 7–10 years progressively responsible professional experience, including substantial leadership experience.
- Minimum 5 years’ experience managing a significant budget including responsibility for budget development, financial monitoring, forecasting, and expense management.
- Obtain NCDCDEE Level 3 Administrative Credential and all other licensing requirements.
- Proven experience supervising personnel, leading teams, managing complex operations, and establishing effective organizational systems.
- Strong knowledge of early childhood education, child development, developmentally appropriate practices, and applicable licensing and regulatory requirements. Commitment to hold others accountable to state (NC) regulations governing child care.
- Demonstrated ability to make sound decisions, solve complex problems, manage competing priorities, and lead organizational change.
- Excellent written and verbal communication, interpersonal, organizational, and conflict-resolution skills.
- Experience developing policies, evaluating performance, and maintaining accountability across an organization.
- Ability to pass comprehensive background investigation.
Leadership Competencies:
- Strategic and executive thinking: Ability to see the organization as a whole, anticipate future needs, and make decisions that support long-term success.
- Financial acumen: Ability to understand complex budgets, interpret financial information, manage resources responsibly, and balance fiscal responsibility with program quality.
- People leadership: Ability to lead with empathy, fairness, humility, and accountability; understand individual staff circumstances while maintaining clear expectations; and build trust by staying connected to the day-to-day work of the CDC and contributing alongside the team when needed.
- Mission-centered leadership and church partnership: Ability to lead with Christian values, align decisions with the mission of the CDC and FPC, and foster strong, collaborative relationships across both organizations.
- Educational expertise: Demonstrated understanding of early childhood education and a commitment to maintaining high standards of teaching and learning.
- Communication and relationship-building: Ability to listen thoughtfully, communicate transparently, navigate sensitive situations, and build trust.
- Professional judgment and integrity: Ability to handle confidential information, make difficult decisions, and act in the best interests of children, families, staff, and the organization.
- Adaptability and problem-solving: Able to manage competing demands, respond to unexpected challenges, and guide the organization through periods of transition.
Physical Requirements:
- Capable of performing physical activities that require considerable range of motion to include stooping, crawling and handling bulky materials, climbing, lifting, balancing, walking distances that match the comfort of the children, push or pull a large emergency buggy, cribs, strollers and/or wagons.
- Ability and willingness to work outdoors in variety of weather conditions.
- Lift up to 50 pounds; interact with children within their space (classroom floor, playground, gym); and accompany groups on walking field trips.
- Assist with the daily cleaning duties on the playground and in the classroom.
- Able to attend to the basic physical needs of children, such as feeding, diapering, and dressing.
Pay and Benefits:
- Pay range: $72,000 - $80,000.
- Benefits: EPO medical; optional dental and vision; 403b: pre-tax and Roth; FSA; PTO; Short and long-term disability; EAP; free parking (work hours)
To Apply:
- Visit https://firstpres-charlotte.org/employment/ for full job description.
- Send resume and cover letter to hr@firstpres-charlotte.org.
- Three professional references will be required from finalists.
