Location and Job Title:

Early Childhood Director
Mandel Jewish Community Center of Cleveland
26001 S Woodland Rd
Beachwood, OH 44122

Principal Responsibilities:

About the Role: Early Childhood Director

We are looking for a dynamic and compassionate leader to guide our Early Childhood Center. As the Early Childhood Director, you will have the extraordinary opportunity and privilege of shaping young lives and inspiring our dedicated team. We're seeking an innovative professional with deep expertise in Early Childhood Education (ECE) and a true passion for our mission. The ideal candidate will have the strategic mindset, business acumen, and leadership skills to steer our staff, children, and families toward a shared vision of excellence. We are committed to offering the best preschool in the area, and we need a proven leader who has both the experience to establish best-in-class practices and the spirit to innovate.

Key Responsibilities

As our Director, you will be the heart of our center, responsible for both the vision and the daily operations. Your key responsibilities will include:

• Inspiring Leadership: Providing visionary leadership that sets a warm and caring tone. You will lead, mentor, and empower a team of top-quality educators, fostering a collaborative and positive work environment.
• Family Partnership & Communication: Building and nurturing strong relationships with our families. You'll be a key point of contact, ensuring parents feel supported and involved in their child's educational journey. You will oversee parent communication, community partnerships, and family-only events.
• Operational Management: Overseeing the day-to-day operations of the center. This includes creating the ECE calendar, managing fiscal responsibilities, and collaborating with our marketing team on promotional materials and registration.
• Staff Development: Leading the hiring, onboarding, and ongoing development of our exceptional teaching staff. You will oversee professional development, manage staff meetings, and conduct annual reviews.
• Program & Curriculum: Assessing and refining our program's operating structure, including staffing, policies, and curriculum offerings. You will ensure the integration of Jewish content and values in a way that is accessible and meaningful for all families.
• Compliance: Ensuring the center maintains compliance with all licensing and quality standards, including ODJFS and Step Up to Quality (SUTQ) requirements. You will also oversee all emergency and safety procedures.
• Other job responsibilities as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

Ideal Candidate

We are looking for a confident, empathetic, and collaborative leader with a passion for working with young children.

Required Experience & Skills:

• Expertise in early child development with a Bachelor's or Master's degree in early childhood education, human development, educational leadership, or a related field.
• A minimum of five years of leadership and teaching experience in a similar environment.
• Demonstrated financial management acumen, including budgeting and managing program goals.
• Proven ability to build strong relationships and partnerships with parents, families, and the community.
• Effective communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Strong organizational skills with a keen attention to detail.

Preferred Qualifications:

• A working knowledge of Jewish values, traditions, holidays, and rituals.
• Experience with transitioning children from preschool to kindergarten.
• Familiarity with the Reggio Emilia or other ECE pedagogies.

Personal Attributes:

Most importantly, we are looking for a leader with keen emotional intelligence to navigate relationships both internally and externally. You are a confident, empathetic, collaborative, calm, inclusive, and compassionate leader who empowers their team. Ultimately, you have a deep passion for working with young children and their families.

Salary:

$85,000 - $95,000

Agency Information:

Mandel Jewish Community Center of Cleveland connects and strengthens our Jewish community and the greater Cleveland community by providing exceptional programs and services in the following program areas: Fitness, Wellness and Recreation, Preschool/Early Childhood Education, Day Camps and Camp Wise overnight Camps, and Cultural Arts. Membership in this non-profit social service agency is open to all. Mandel JCC receives funding from the Jewish Federation of Cleveland, grants, donations and other public funding sources and has been serving the greater Cleveland community for more than 70 years.

About the Mandel JCC Early Childhood Center

At the Mandel JCC Early Childhood Center, we believe that early learning is about honoring childhood itself. We are a relationship-based community, welcoming families, children, and educators of all backgrounds and beliefs. Rooted in Jewish culture and values, our center fosters a strong sense of belonging, where every individual feels connected and valued. Through play, exploration, and meaningful relationships, we empower children to develop the confidence, compassion, and resilience they need to thrive.

What truly sets us apart is our rich multigenerational campus and vibrant community. As part of the larger Mandel JCC, our children get to explore thoughtfully designed spaces, including outdoor play areas, a gymnasium, a swimming pool, and a dedicated early childhood art studio. Our team of exceptional teachers are collaborative learners and caring mentors who design environments that spark curiosity and a lifelong love of learning. We believe that families are our essential partners, and together, we cultivate a nurturing and inclusive school community built on connection, creativity, and the joy of growing together.