Assistant Director of Early Education

About Jack & Jill Center

Since 1942, Jack & Jill Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, has served more than 30,000 children and families through comprehensive early education and family strengthening programs. We are wholeheartedly committed to our mission of strengthening children and families through innovative education, supportive programming, and community engagement.

Guided by a Two-Generation (2Gen) approach, we recognize that children thrive when their families thrive. By intentionally serving both children and their parents or caregivers, we work to create lasting pathways toward educational success, family stability, and economic mobility. Through high-quality early childhood education, parent and family support services, workforce development opportunities, and community resources, we empower entire families to achieve their full potential.

Each day, we strive to ensure that every child and family reaches their full potential. We live out our core values by treating others with respect and the highest degree of integrity, and by practicing effective communication to foster clarity and understanding in every interaction. We embrace innovation by encouraging creative solutions and continuous improvement. Through teamwork, we cultivate a dedicated and unified staff passionately working toward one common mission.

At Jack & Jill Center, we take great pride in serving not only children, but also their parents, guardians, and members of our broader community. Through our 2Gen framework, we address the interconnected needs of families by supporting children's learning and development while helping caregivers build the knowledge, skills, and resources necessary for long-term success. As we enter our next chapter, we remain committed to adapting to the evolving needs of those we serve and to continuing to make a meaningful, lasting impact on their lives, creating stronger families, stronger children, and stronger communities for generations to come.

Position Summary

The Assistant Director of Early Education is a mission-driven, leader who supports the Director in overseeing the delivery of high-quality early childhood education programs, supporting implementation of the organization’s Two-Generation (2Gen) framework. This role includes instructional leadership, center operations, data-informed decision-making, budgetary support, enrollment oversight, and compliance with regulatory standards.

The Assistant Director serves as a key thought partner to the Director and is instrumental in aligning educational practices with organizational goals and regulatory and accreditation requirements. The Assistant Director will support the Director in ensuring effective day-to-day program operations, coordination quality improvement initiatives, and monitoring compliance and accreditation requirements. 

Primary Position Responsibilities 

Instructional and Program Leadership

• Support the Director in the implementation   and continuous monitoring of high-quality curriculum and instructional practices aligned with state and national standards.
• Conduct regular classroom observations and provide actionable coaching to teachers to strengthen instructional quality.
• Ensure alignment with accreditation standards and evidence-based assessment tools (e.g., CLASS®, Teaching Strategies GOLD®, ASQ®, VPK Assessments and NAEYC).
• Lead and coordinate professional development initiatives, including workshops, in-service training, and follow-up evaluations.
• Support data-driven instructional planning by collecting, analyzing, and interpreting child outcome data.
• Facilitate continuous quality improvement efforts, using observation tools and performance benchmarks.

Operational and Administrative Leadership

• Assist in managing daily operational functions including classroom coverage, team schedules, ratios, and center opening/closing procedures.
• Conduct safety drills, daily wellness checks, internal audits, and support ongoing licensing readiness through proactive monitoring of health and safety practices.
• Maintain and enforce adherence to policies outlined in team member and family handbooks and relevant regulatory agencies.
• Ensure consistent compliance with NAEYC standards, School Readiness requirements, Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK), ELC contracts, CACFP requirements, Broward Licensing regulations, all local, state, and federal childcare licensing regulations.
• Collaborate with leadership to update safety and health policies as regulations evolve.
• Support corrective action planning when needed.
• Serve as acting Director when needed, providing consistent leadership and decision-making in their absence.

Strategic Enrollment and Attendance Management

• Monitor and track daily student attendance and enrollment trends and collaborate with the Family Strengthening Department to address barriers and improve retention.
• Collaborate with enrollment teams to maintain full enrollment, including assistance with tours, parent orientations, and registration.
• Support open houses, recruitment and community events
• Partner with family support services to increase attendance and participation of high-need families.
• Utilize enrollment and attendance data to inform staffing and budgeting decisions.

Staff Support & Capacity Building

• Participate in the recruitment and retention planning of qualified early childhood professionals.
• Assist with the facilitation of onboarding and orientation of new team members.
• Mentor lead teachers and support team member onboarding, performance feedback, and the creation of individualized development plans.
• Coordinate classroom staffing and ratio compliance.
• Facilitate team meetings, professional learning sessions, and maintain a positive and inclusive work culture aligned with organizational values.
• Supervise early childhood educators.

Financial and Data Management

• Collaborate with the Director and Finance Department to support budget planning, forecasting, and tracking.
• Monitor performance indicators, classroom expenditures, supplies, and resource allocation to ensure fiscal responsibility.
• Assist with preparing reports for funders, licensing, and accreditation bodies by compiling and analyzing attendance, enrollment, and assessment data.
• Contribute to grant-related documentation and compliance with performance benchmarks.

Family and Community Engagement

• Build and sustain positive relationships with families through consistent communication, daily interactions, and support of family engagement opportunities.
• Support family involvement in educational programming and goal setting for their children.
• Coordinate with the Family Department to connect families with wraparound services and resources to families.
• Represent the program at family events and community activities when appropriate.
• Support the organization’s 2Gen approach through daily operations. 

EEO STATEMENT

Jack & Jill Center is an equal opportunity employer. All employment activities will be conducted in a manner to assure equal opportunity for all and will be based solely on the individual merit and fitness of applicants, candidates and/or employees without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, sexual orientation/preference, marital status, pregnancy, disability, veteran’s status, or any other characteristic protected by law. In addition to federal law requirements, Jack and Jill complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, and transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

The Assistant Director of Early Education possesses the following minimum qualifications:

·        Associate degree in early childhood education, Child Development, Elementary Education, Human Services, or related field (Bachelor’s preferred).

· Florida Child Care Director's Credential -VPK Endorsement or, a commitment to obtain within 12 months of hire. 

·        3 to 5 years working with young children (ages birth through kindergarten); plus, 1-2 years of experience in coaching or supervising adults.

·        Knowledge of state, local, and community resources related to early childhood education. 

·        Ability to orally communicate effectively with others, with or without the use of an interpreter, or the use of auxiliary aids or services.

·        Excellent communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills. 

·        Ability to work evenings and weekends, as needed. 

· Experience working in mission-driven or nonprofit environments preferred.

· A valid driver’s license and access to transportation.

· Proper documentation to work in the United States

· Successfully complete and pass a Level II Clearinghouse Background Screening - FL Clearinghouse | Florida Agency for Health Care Administration