Executive Search: Family Child Development Center Executive Director

Strategic Consulting & Coaching is pleased to be conducting a search, on behalf of our client, Family Child Development Center (FCDC), for an executive director.

ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND
Mission
As a community-based nonprofit center, Family Child Development Center (FCDC) strives to provide exceptional early childhood education by nurturing the unique potential of every child through active partnerships with parents and families. FCDC’s approach to childcare is based on our philosophy that learning is a social experience. We have a strong commitment to meeting each child’s developmental and educational needs. It is our belief that, with an appropriate learning environment and the guidance of professional teachers, each child will realize his or her potential—physically, emotionally, socially, and cognitively.
Programs
FCDC has provided early education experiences and childcare services to young children in the northwest suburbs of the Twin Cities for over 35 years. FCDC is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and earned a Four-Star Rating through Minnesota’s Parent Aware Quality Rating and Improvement System.

Size and Governance  
FCDC is governed by a seven-member Board of Directors. The organization operates an annual budget of $1 million and has approximately 30 employees. A mix of earned revenue, special events, donations, and government reimbursement fund FCDC programs.  

The Role of the Executive Director 

POSITION OVERVIEW
The Executive Director is responsible for ensuring that the mission and values of FCDC are fulfilled. The Executive Director is directly accountable to the Board of Directors for the successful management and fiscal leadership of FCDC. The Executive Director directly supervises the Finance Manager, Program Director, Kitchen Manager, teachers, and assistant teachers for a total of 30 employees.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work with the Board of Directors to shape the vision for the organization’s future and collectively create policy recommendations for consideration by the Board.

• Direct FCDC staff and facilities to meet the educational, social, emotional, and physical needs of children in attendance. Set standard of excellence in service delivery in keeping with FCDC’s philosophies.

  • Oversee the hiring and supervision of the staff.

  • Oversee the day-to-day operations, policies, and procedures.

  • Ensure that all applicable regulations and center policies are followed.

  • Participate in the implementation of the Social-Emotional Pyramid Model framework with support from the Minnesota Centers of Excellence.

• Recruit, motivate, retain, and lead the development of high-performance teaching teams. Support teachers in meeting their professional needs and in their professional development. Coach and mentor teachers.

• Maintain a standard of programming that meets or exceeds NAEYC national accreditation requirements. Identify opportunities to incorporate the latest research, trends, and changes into FCDC programming to ensure FCDC remains a leader within the field.

• Foster a workplace environment that is respectful, promotes initiative, and creates individual opportunities for growth. Maintain a positive environment in which each employee feels respected and valued.

• Manage FCDC’s overall business operations, financial management, fundraising, and marketing efforts.

• Develop appropriate annual and long-term financial objectives in concert with the Board treasurer. Lead the organization in consistently achieving these objectives. Manage the budget to strategically grow revenue for the organization.

• Communicate proactively with FCDC families to promote positive and open relations. Ensure teaching staff engage in proactive communications with families. Support and provide for parent leadership and education programming opportunities.

• Represent FCDC in the community. Build and maintain positive relationships with all levels of government, the business community, the childcare industry, and other community organizations. Seek strategic alliances and relationships where appropriate to further FCDC’s mission and better serve its children and families.

 PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES 

The successful candidate will: 

·       Possess a deep commitment and passion for FCDC’s mission.

·       Build and maintain strong relationships internally and externally.

·       Possess the ability to make critical decisions, take risks, and meet challenges.

·       Demonstrate flexibility, respect, and participatory leadership style in his/her management style.

·       Possess a high degree of energy, integrity, and creativity as well as the intellectual, organizational, and personal qualities necessary to earn respect and cooperation from all stakeholders. 

·       Demonstrate cultural competence with a focus on diversity and inclusion related to persons of other racial, cultural, religious, gender, and sexual orientation and backgrounds. 

·       Be approachable and a good listener. 

·       Be an authentic leader who serves as a role model for ethical and fair behavior, with a transparent approach to earning the esteem and confidence of employees, volunteers, Board members, families, and donors. 

EDUCATION 

The successful candidate will have: 

• A minimum of 5-7 years of successful, progressive nonprofit leadership experience (preferred). Priority consideration will be given for experience in the early childhood care and education field.

• A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in business or public administration, nonprofit administration, education, child development, or significant equivalent experiences (required).

• Experience working with a board of directors.

COMPENSATION

The salary and benefits for this position are commensurate with experience and are highly competitive with similar nonprofit organizations. 

TO APPLY

Submit resume, cover letter, and salary requirements to Cheryl Jensen at cjensen@strategic-cc.com.