About QCARE Quincy After School Child Care, Inc. (QCARE) is a growing, community-based nonprofit that has served the children and families of Quincy, MA since 1987, providing high-quality school-age programs for over 35 years. We provide high-quality, inclusive, and enriching out-of-school time programs that promote positive youth development, academic support, and social-emotional growth. Our programs are rooted in equity, compassion, and a deep commitment to helping young people and their families thrive. Our mission is to provide affordable child care and enrichment services of the highest quality through innovative, carefully crafted programs governed by qualified, passionate, and nurturing caregivers. We offer programming after school, during vacation weeks, and in the summer, and are licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC), whose regulations support quality programming and ensure the highest levels of safety and consistency for participants. Participants range in age from 5 years (kindergarten) to 14 years, with a small middle school population served at some sites. Learn more about EEC at www.mass.gov/eec. QCARE operates ten site locations in elementary schools throughout Quincy. During a typical school year, roughly 600 children are enrolled weekly, with approximately 39 to 65 children at each site depending on its size and the needs of the school. During vacation weeks and the summer, our program serves 104 children each week at one location; summer employment is optional and requires a separate application process. QCARE values employees who deliver nurturing, supportive care to children through positive and consistent interactions with youth. We also highly value teamwork, kindness, professionalism, and unique and diverse employees who like to have fun and work collaboratively with others.

QCARE's Core Values:

Compassion, Resilience, Teamwork and Joy About the Role The Senior Director of Program Excellence is a senior leadership position responsible for advancing program quality, operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and a culture of continuous improvement across all QCARE Out of School Time (OST) programs. Reporting to the Director of Engagement & Quality, this role provides direct leadership and supervision to Program Directors while ensuring consistency in program implementation, operational practices, compliance systems, family engagement, and organizational standards across all sites. The Senior Director serves as a strategic leader responsible for developing systems, monitoring quality indicators, analyzing program data, identifying trends, and leading continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen outcomes for children, families, and staff. Through observation, evaluation, coaching, problem-solving, and cross-site collaboration, this leader works to ensure that QCARE programs are innovative, compliant, high quality, operationally effective, and continuously evolving to meet the changing needs of the communities we serve. The ideal candidate is a relationship-driven systems thinker with deep expertise in Out of School Time programming, EEC regulations, quality assurance, and organizational effectiveness who is passionate about building sustainable systems, driving measurable improvements, and fostering a culture of excellence and continuous learning throughout the organization.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The statements below are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by the person assigned to this job. The following information is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties. Core Competencies The following six competencies define how success is achieved in this role. All responsibilities, performance expectations, and evaluation criteria are anchored to these competencies. 1. Program Quality & Continuous Improvement Drives a culture of high-quality programming through systematic observation, feedback, and improvement cycles Leads QCARE's continuous improvement strategy by designing and implementing organization-wide quality assurance systems, performance standards, assessment tools, and data-driven improvement initiatives that strengthen program quality across all sites Partners with Leadership team on developing QCARE's program quality framework and standards Monitors quality indicators aligned with EEC standards and QCARE's values for cross-site adoption Identifies trends and best practices across program sites, develops innovative solutions to address challenges, and partners with leadership to implement continuous improvements Supports continuous program improvement initiatives across all locations Leads innovative program development, keeps current with program trends, and adapts the program through continuous improvement Administers QCARE's program quality assessment system using research-based OST tools, including NIOST's APAS (APT observations and SAYO youth/staff surveys), SACERS-U environment ratings, and the Arnett Caregiver Interaction Scale Conducts reliable, structured observations using these instruments, analyzes results, and translates scores into site-level coaching priorities and improvement plans Integrates assessment data with attendance, family satisfaction, staff retention, and licensing data to build a program quality dashboard for each site Aligns QCARE's internal quality standards with the National AfterSchool Association (NAA) Program Quality Standards Conducts routine site visits to monitor program implementation, gathers baseline observations, and develops recommendations for continuous improvement initiatives 2. Program Leadership and Oversight Provides day-to-day leadership, supervision, and support to Program Directors and program teams, ensuring consistent, high-quality program operations across all sites. Partners with the Director of Engagement & Quality, Executive Director, and leadership staff to sustain innovative programming that supports the social, recreational, educational, health, and developmental needs of participating children Oversees program operations, activities, and staff in compliance with EEC regulations and organizational standards Provides ongoing coaching, guidance, and professional support to mid-management and program staff Ensures consistent implementation of agency policies, procedures, program models, and curriculum across all site locations Communicates program policies and expectations to staff and families Maintains positive relationships with school personnel, PTOs, and community stakeholders Supports equitable access and participation across program offerings Lead and supervise a team of two Program Directors, ensuring the timely and effective execution of all core Program Director responsibilities 3. Licensing, Compliance & Regulatory Oversight Serves as the organizational expert on EEC licensing, compliance, and regulatory requirements. Leads all EEC licensing and re-licensing activities across program sites Monitors and ensures ongoing compliance with state regulations and agency policies Prepares and maintains licensing documentation, compliance calendars, and corrective action plans Serves as the primary internal resource on EEC rules, ratios, and program standards Coordinates with Program Directors on facility readiness, safety protocols, and program safety & security systems Ensures compliance with EEC regulations and licensing requirements at all program sites Ensures that QCARE best practices are followed and that the National Afterschool Association Code of Ethics is upheld Reviews the regularly scheduled health and safety inspections with Program Directors and support updates to reflect compliance 4. Operational Planning & Coordination Manages cross-site operational functions that require centralized planning and coordination. Plans and coordinates all vacation programming, school vacation weeks, and summer program logistics Leads cross-site collaboration initiatives such as, but not limited to, specialty clubs and community service projects Builds and maintains strong relationships with school leaders and partner schools while overseeing school-based liaisons and ensuring effective communication and collaboration across all program sites Coordinates facility use schedules and space planning with program leadership Collaborates on staff professional development planning with the Senior Leadership Team Oversees planning and execution of field trips, presentations, and enrichment activities Maintains budget adherence for program events, special programs, and vacation programs 5. Communication & Cross-Site Collaboration Creates and sustains communication systems that keep program teams informed, aligned, and connected. Develops internal communication structures and information-sharing tools across sites Facilitates continuous improvement meetings, learning communities, and collaborative problem-solving Builds and maintains productive working relationships with Program Directors and Site Leaders Communicates agency updates, policy changes, and quality expectations clearly and consistently Serves in a leadership coverage role in the absence of the Executive Director and Director of Engagement & Quality, as assigned Conducts disciplinary meetings in accordance with agency policy and HR procedures Supports documentation and SOP development for program leadership roles 6. Leadership Through Influence Achieves results and leads change without direct supervisory authority — through trust, expertise, and relationship. Establishes a culture of continuous improvement by analyzing organizational performance trends, identifying best practices, translating quality data into actionable insights, and partnering with leadership to implement sustainable operational and programmatic enhancements Models QCARE's values and professional standards in all interactions Builds credibility with Program Directors and site teams as a trusted resource and thought partner Uses coaching and facilitation skills to guide teams toward solutions rather than directing from the top Navigates organizational complexity with emotional intelligence and professionalism Partners with Executive Team on staff experience, retention, and culture Key Areas of Responsibility Program Quality & Site Observations Conducts regular structured observations at all QCARE program sites Uses validated assessment tools (APAS/APT, SAYO, SACERS-U, Arnett) to measure program quality and youth outcomes and to benchmark sites against evidence-based standards Provides timely, written quality feedback to Program Directors Develops and updates QCARE's quality assessment tools and rubrics Tracks quality data and produces quarterly reports for leadership EEC Licensing & Compliance Leads all aspects of EEC licensing, re-licensing, and compliance monitoring Maintains an up-to-date compliance calendar and documentation system Supports corrective action planning and regulatory response Ensures program safety and security standards are in place and current Vacation, Summer & Special Program Planning Leads planning and logistics for all school vacation week programming Coordinates summer program operations in partnership with Program Directors Plans and executes special events and enrichment programming Manages agency-wide program calendar and communicates schedule changes School & Community Relationships Serves as QCARE's liaison to school partners, principals, and school staff Maintains strong, productive relationships that support program access and quality Represents QCARE at school and community meetings as appropriate Cross-Site Communication & Collaboration Facilitates Program Director meetings and cross-site team learning sessions Develops and maintains agency communication systems and shared resources Promotes consistency in practices and expectations across all QCARE sites Required Qualifications Meets Massachusetts EEC requirements for OST Program Administrator Minimum 5 years of progressive leadership experience in Out of School Time or youth development programming Demonstrated experience with EEC licensing, regulations, and compliance Proven ability to design and facilitate staff training and professional development Strong written and verbal communication skills Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Canva Preferred Qualifications Bachelor's degree or higher in Education, Youth Development, Social Work, or a related field Experience developing quality assessment tools or frameworks for OST programs Experience working across multiple program sites in a non-supervisory coordination role Familiarity with competency-based professional development models Experience administering research-based OST assessment tools such as

NIOST APAS

(APT/SAYO), SACERS-U, the Weikart YPQA, or the Arnett Caregiver Interaction Scale Additional Requirements Ability to pass CORI and SORI background checks and FBI fingerprinting Reliable transportation within Quincy, MA Ability to lift up to 45 lbs. and actively engage in program environments

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Employees are regularly required to sit; talk or hear, both in person and by telephone Repetitively use hands or wrists to operate, finger, handle or feel office/program equipment Employees are frequently required to stand and walk Must be able to visually watch the children The vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus Must be able to lift and/or move up to 10 pounds in all directions and be able to lift up to 45 pounds

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The employee will spend half of their day in the office sitting down, and the other half walking or standing Noise level in the office is moderate Employee may be exposed to uneven surfaces/grounding inside and out of the building May experience changing temperatures (cold/hot) depending on the season

BENEFITS QCARE

is a community-rooted nonprofit with over 35 years of impact in Quincy, MA. Our work is grounded in Compassion, Resilience, Teamwork, and Joy — and we invest in the people who make that possible. Competitive salary commensurate with experience $500 sign-on bonus after 90 days and completed staff file Health, dental, and vision insurance (80% agency-paid) and life insurance 401(k) with up to 5% employer match Paid time off, holidays, emergency closings, and Paid Family and Medical Leave Paid professional development, CPR/First Aid training, and EEC tuition grants 35% child care discount Collaborative, values-driven leadership team External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, must be able to perform the essential job functions (as listed) either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation to be determined by management on a case-by-case basis.

Pay:

From $85,000.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k) matching Dental insurance Flexible spending account Health insurance Life insurance Paid time off Referral program Vision insurance

Education:

Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

Quality Assessment tools: 2 years (Required)

Work Location:

In person