Executive Director, Preschool

Executive Director El Primer Paso, Ltd. Dover, New Jersey El Primer Paso, a prominent, community-focused preschool with a 57-year history serving Morris County's most vulnerable children and families, seeks an Executive Director to lead our school. Our mission is to provide high-quality, inclusive early childhood education programs with a focus on dual language learners, as well as educational and culturally responsive resources for families. Because a quality preschool experience is a first step to lifelong success, El Primer Paso is committed to excellence in and beyond our classrooms. We have been accredited by NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) since 2004 and have participated in Grow NJ Kids since 2013. In addition to consistently meeting these programs' quality standards, we were selected to be a Pyramid Model Implementation Site in partnership with Montclair State University, a relationship that includes on-site professional coaching and reinforces our commitment to social-emotional learning as a cornerstone of young children's development and preparation for kindergarten. The individual chosen to lead El Primer Paso in this highly visible position will have the ability to connect with members of a diverse community, in both English and Spanish, and manage all aspects of a non-profit organization. We value relationships and are passionate about providing the solid foundation of early childhood education to young children in our community. We seek an Executive Director who will embrace our mission and be highly motivated by this deeply rewarding work.

Duties:

Manage a team of teaching and administrative staff. Hire replacements and subs as needed. Oversee curriculum implementation by the head teacher. Ensure compliance with all government, NAEYC, Grow NJ Kids, and other quality and safety standards. Participate in Parent Advisory Council. Secure grants and donations to support our work. Create monthly financial reports and an annual budget. Represent El Primer Paso in the community and connect with local service providers to inform parents of available resources. Report to the Board of Trustees at monthly meetings and as needed.

Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in an education, business administration or human services field. A minimum of 5 years of experience in early care and education. Three years grant-writing or nonprofit management experience. Financial management skills. Human resource management skills. Superior oral and written communication skills as well as public relations savvy. Fluent communicator in both English and Spanish strongly preferred.

Proposed Start Date:

January 1, 2027

Pay:

$65,000.00 - $70,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Health insurance Paid time off Professional development assistance

Work Location:

In person