Program Director Jobs in Oak Ridge, TN (NOW HIRING)

Shifts: 7am-4pm or 8:30am-5:30pm (alternate shifts with asst. director)

• Starting August 2026
• Ask about the W.A.G.E.S. Program: https://www.tnwages.org/
• Ages 6wks-5yrs old

POSITION SUMMARY:
Under the direction of the Senior Program Director of Child Care, the Early Learning Director is responsible for overall management, supervision, and promotion of the site in accordance with mission and policies of the YMCA of East Tennessee, Department of Human Services (DHS), and the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). In addition, every position in the YMCA of East Tennessee is responsible for upholding the Judeo-Christian principles that are central to our mission by modeling behaviors that exemplify the Y's core values - caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.
CORE FUNCTIONS:
1. Assures compliance with state and local regulations in areas of, but not limited to; ensuring sites are staffed according to DHS and Y adult to child ratio; financial, staff records, enrolled children, and all documents needed for inspection; ensures site is consistent with Y, DHS, STARS and NAEYC policies and procedures.
2. Participates in the planning of the annual budget; manages and implements the approved budget for center and takes appropriate action to correct variances. Complies program statistics. Monitors and evaluates the effectiveness of and participation in programing.
3. Must have a thorough knowledge of center philosophy; policies, TDHS licensing, TNELDS, ITERS/ECERS criteria, and the ability to positively communicate them to co-workers, parents, and community.
4. Responsible for administrative functions that include but not limited to; Collect participant fees; post weekly snack menu; communications with parents, Parent Advisory Committee; budget; submit purchase orders, reports, and billing, monitors and corrects time and attendance issues for payroll. As well as center partners & collaborations.
5. Ensure safe and risk-free environment at all times while meeting the individual needs of the participants.
6. Implement program quality control measures including use of parent evaluations at least 3 times per calendar year and strive to maintain State of Tennessee 3-Star standards; actively work towards NAEYC accreditation.
7. Plans and promotes monthly family engagement activities that support the development of the whole child.
8. Understand and implement best practices for early childhood development.
The Y: We're for youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.
9. Have a demonstrated knowledge of child development and early learning strategies.
10. Be innovative and creative in both program design and staff motivation.
11. Direct supervision of all center daily operations including supervision of staff, child supervision, parent communication and facility/grounds management.
12. Attends all required staff meetings and trainings, conducts on-site staff meetings regularly. Trains, develops, schedules and directs personnel and volunteers as needed. Reviews and evaluates staff performance.
13. Implements strategies developed by supervisor that support enrollment of new members and retention of existing members. Creates a member-focused culture and models' relationship-building skills (including Listen First) in all interactions. Fosters a climate of innovation and resolves problems to ensure member satisfaction.
14. Follows all Y policies, rules, regulations and procedures, including emergency and safety procedures. Completes incident and accident reports as necessary.
15. Other duties may be assigned.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Directly or indirectly manages and supervise all center staff, substitute staff, and volunteers at assigned center. Responsibilities include; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance, training, rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and conflict resolution. Is responsible for the direction, coordination, and evaluations of this unit. Monitors daily operation to adhere to all Y health and safety standards and policies.
Requirements
QUALIFICATIONS:
Individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below represent the knowledge, skill, and /or ability required.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:
Must meet one of the four education and training requirements: 1) graduated from an accredited four-year college plus (1) year of full-time experience in group setting, 2) sixty (60) semester hours of college plus (2) years full-time experience in a group setting, 3) High School Diploma or GED with (4) years of full-time experience in a group setting, 4) continuously employed as an early child care director or a child care agency owner since July 2001. In addition; must have 1-3 years supervisory experience and strong supervisory skills. Must have good organizational skills and task oriented. Must possess necessary skills in working with the general public as well as professionals in the school system. Experience working with DHS licensed child care/early child care agency is highly preferred. Y Team Leader certification preferred. Prefer knowledge of and previous experience with, diverse populations.
REASONING ABILITY:
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or scheduled form.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to outdoor weather. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:
Ability to add and subtract two-digit numbers and to multiply and divide with 10's and 100's. Ability to perform these operations using units of American money and weight measurement, volume and distance.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Frequently required to talk or hear (25 yards). Occasionally required to stand, walk, sit and use hands and fingers. Employee may occasionally be required to lift 50 pounds. Vision abilities required by this job include close, distance (100 yards), color and peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Ability to plan, lead and participate in a range of activities in a variety of outdoor/indoor settings.
LANGUAGE SKILLS:
Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups children and adults as well as employees of the organization.
DIVERSITY, EQUALITY, INCLUSION, AND BELONGING:
The YMCA of East Tennessee is an equal opportunity employment employer. We do not discriminate against, and welcome all ages, color, disability, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, veteran status, and other characteristics that make our employees unique. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, COURSES:
Current Adult/Child CPR; required for hire and must maintain certification.
First Aid; required for hire and must maintain certification.
Required Redwoods Training Courses; required to complete within 30 days of hire, provided by the Y.
New Employee Orientation; required before start, provided by the Y.
Annual Training; must take part in minimum of 36 hours training annually.
Additional training, licenses, and courses may be required throughout employment.
The YMCA of East Tennessee is an equal opportunity employment employer. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Salary Description
$42,105.00 - $46,000