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School Age Program Director Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Manchester Early Learning Center

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School - age Director

Manchester, CT · On-site

$60K - $65K/yr

The School-Age Program Director oversees and assures appropriate operations of MELC's school-age programming across all sites. Through direct supervision of Program Managers, this position ensures ...

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How much do school age program director jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 27, 2026, the average yearly pay for school age program director in the United States is $66,955.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $50,000.00 and $80,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a School Age Program Director, and why are they important?

To thrive as a School Age Program Director, you need expertise in child development, program planning, and supervision, typically supported by a degree in education or a related field and relevant experience. Familiarity with state licensing regulations, curriculum planning software, and staff management systems is commonly required. Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills help you build positive relationships with staff, children, and families. These skills and qualities are vital to ensure safe, engaging, and compliant programs that support children's growth and staff effectiveness.

What is the difference between School Age Program Director vs Child Care Center Director?

AspectSchool Age Program DirectorChild Care Center Director
CredentialsCPR/First Aid, sometimes a degree in education or child developmentCPR/First Aid, early childhood education credentials often preferred
Work EnvironmentAfter-school programs, community centers, schoolsChild care centers, preschools, daycare facilities
Employer & IndustrySchools, community organizations, nonprofitsPrivate and public daycare centers, early childhood education providers

The main difference between a School Age Program Director and a Child Care Center Director lies in their focus and work environment. The School Age Program Director manages after-school programs for school-aged children, often in community or school settings. In contrast, the Child Care Center Director oversees early childhood care in daycare or preschool environments. Both roles require similar credentials and involve managing staff, ensuring safety, and program development, but they serve different age groups and settings.

What are School Age Program Directors?

School Age Program Directors are professionals who manage and oversee programs designed for children in elementary and middle school, typically before and after school hours or during school breaks. They are responsible for developing curriculum, supervising staff, ensuring the safety and well-being of children, and maintaining compliance with state and local regulations. These directors also coordinate activities, communicate with parents, and handle administrative tasks such as budgeting and scheduling. Their role is crucial in providing a structured, engaging, and supportive environment for school-age children outside of regular classroom hours.

What are some common challenges faced by School Age Program Directors, and how can they be addressed?

School Age Program Directors often face challenges such as balancing administrative duties with direct program oversight, managing staff schedules, and ensuring compliance with licensing regulations. Additionally, they must adapt programming to meet the diverse needs and interests of children while maintaining effective communication with parents and school personnel. These challenges can be addressed through strong organizational skills, ongoing professional development, and fostering a collaborative team environment to delegate responsibilities effectively.
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What cities are hiring for School Age Program Director jobs? Cities with the most School Age Program Director job openings:
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What job categories do people searching School Age Program Director jobs look for? The top searched job categories for School Age Program Director jobs are:
School Age Program Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various School Age Program Director job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $66,955 per year, or $32.2 per hour.

School - age Director

Manchester Early Learning Center

Manchester, CT • On-site

$60K - $65K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 13 days ago

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Job description

ABOUT US:

Manchester Early Learning Center (MELC) has been a trusted partner for Manchester families for nearly 50 years. As a non-profit, NAEYC-accredited organization, we provide year-round, quality educational experiences for preschool and school-age children across multiple sites — including our Preschool Center and before-and-after school programs in every Manchester Public Schools elementary school and Bennet Academy.

We are looking for an energetic, passionate, and experienced leader to join our team as School-Age Director. In this role, you will oversee designated school-age sites, providing leadership and support to full-time Program Managers who run each location. You'll shape the quality of programming, strengthen community partnerships, and ensure children receive safe, engaging, and developmentally rich experiences every day.

This is an exempt, full-time position — a meaningful leadership opportunity for someone who is ready to make a real impact across a growing, community-rooted organization.

SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITY:

The School-Age Program Director oversees and assures appropriate operations of MELC's school-age programming across all sites. Through direct supervision of Program Managers, this position ensures that programs are meeting expectations, continuously improving in quality, and operating in compliance with all licensing, accreditation, and grant requirements. The School-Age Program Director works in close partnership with the Director of Programs and Director of Operations to advance MELC's mission and provides welcoming, professional service to all students, families, staff, and community partners.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

  • Supervise (hire, evaluate, and support) Program Managers; assist with the supervision of Senior Group Leaders, Group Leaders, and Front Desk Staff.
  • Ensure an environment that facilitates achievement of program and youth development outcomes, with overall responsibility for the cleanliness, attractiveness, and safety of properties and equipment across all school-age sites.
  • Lead quality improvement of programs by conducting program evaluations, classroom and site observations, and providing regular structured feedback to staff.
  • Ensure all school-age programs operate in compliance with the standards and requirements of MELC's licensing and accrediting bodies, including the Office of Early Childhood (OEC).
  • Oversee that all grant-funded programs and positions, including 21st Century Community Learning Center (21st CCLC) and State Department of Education (SDE) sites, meet program expectations and reporting requirements, in coordination with the Director of Programs.
  • Manage effective recruiting, hiring, training, and scheduling of school-age staff in partnership with the Learning and Talent Coordinator.
  • Partner with the Learning and Talent Coordinator to support onboarding, ongoing professional development, and credentialing of school-age staff.
  • Provide oversight of school-age workforce development initiatives, including the Work Program and Senior Group Leader (SGL) program, in coordination with the Learning and Talent Coordinator.
  • Oversee enrollment for all school-age sites, ensuring programs are enrolled to capacity and that incoming children meet enrollment requirements.
  • Build and maintain effective working relationships with public school district partners, host school administrators, and community organizations.
  • Coordinate with the Director of Operations on school-age transportation logistics, including bus schedules, routing, and communication with drivers.
  • Oversee compliance with the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and Afterschool Snack Program (ASP) at participating school-age sites, including documentation, meal counts, and reporting requirements.
  • Communicate effectively and professionally with parents, guardians, and family members, including managing escalated concerns and family engagement initiatives.
  • Compile, analyze, and report program data, including attendance, participation, and program outcomes, in support of grant reporting and organizational planning.
  • Monitor school-age program budgets, including site-level expenditures and purchasing, in coordination with the Director of Programs.
  • Respond to incidents, emergencies, and family or staff concerns in a timely and professional manner, escalating to leadership as appropriate.
  • Act in the best interest of the organization, reflecting the values of teamwork, collaboration, and mutual respect.
  • Perform other duties as needed or directed.

QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES:

  • Bachelor's Degree in Education, Youth Development, Recreation, Human Services, or a related field.
  • Minimum of two years of supervisory experience, preferably in a school-age, youth development, or educational site.
  • Minimum of one year of experience working with school-age children.
  • Multi-site management experience preferred.
  • Knowledge of OEC licensing requirements and best practices in school-age program quality.
  • Experience with grant-funded programming and grant compliance reporting preferred.
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to interact professionally with staff, families, school district partners, and community stakeholders.
  • Excellent organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and the ability to learn new software and database systems.
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgment.
  • Commitment to MELC's mission and values.

Manchester Early Learning Center is an equal opportunity employer