Early Learning Center Director - Alameda

Company: Warren Village Inc.
Location: Denver
Posted on: March 27, 2026

Job Description:

Hiring Range: $80,000 - $91,000 DOE and licensure (Full salary range up to $97,700 for long-tenured staff currently in position or other exceptional circumstances). Summary/Objective: The ELC serves children ages 6 weeks to 11 years old in a comprehensive, high-quality early learning environment with a strong emphasis on whole-child development, teacher training, and application of Conscious Discipline®. The center is attached to a low-income, permanent supportive housing complex and is open to resident families as well as the surrounding community. The Director plays a key role on the Executive Leadership Team, ensuring alignment with organizational goals, equity, and inclusion, while leading the Center’s strategic vision and daily operations, educational programming, staff management, compliance with regulations, and fostering of family and community partnerships. Position also collaborates closely with those at Warren Village's Gilpin location ELC to form a strong, cooperative team and ensure consistent practices across sites. At Warren Village, we uphold organizational values of accountability, collaboration, empowerment, excellence, inclusion, and integrity. We agree to engage our work together with honesty and transparency, clear decision-making, continuous learning and improvement, a commitment to repair, community building, and collective growth and well-being. We recognize that our backgrounds are broad, and our talents are many, from different lived experiences. We value and leverage these differences to support and engage our communities. Essential Functions and Responsibilities Program ManagementOversees daily operations, ensuring licensing compliance and smooth administrative functions. Includes effective engagement, communication, compliance and relationship with Colorado state licensing staff. Oversees implementation of curricula and daily routines, ensuring alignment with educational standards.Ensures compliance with Colorado Shines quality standards.Develops, implements, and evaluates curriculum plans, focusing on holistic child development.Partners with teaching teams to foster parent involvement and support family engagement.Approves educational events, field trips, and activities.Collaborates with the Instructional Coach to maintain instructional quality, data tracking, and use of data to improve practice and student outcomes.Works with other departments and service providers on enrollment, funding, and diverse learner support.Collaborates frequently with Gilpin ELC leadership to ensure alignment and efficiency across both sites.Staff ManagementInterviews, hires, trains, and supervises highly qualified staff. Mentors and holds all ELC staff accountable to Warren Village HR guidelines and requirements.Conducts staff performance evaluations, implements staff development plans, manages staff time-off.Manages staff scheduling and substitute arrangements in alignment with standard hours of operation and budgetary requirements, engaging Assistant Director support as needed.Leads immediate and effective conflict resolution among staff, manages internal communication, and facilitates staff meetings. Ensures compliance with personnel policies and oversees payroll and performance improvement plans.Builds a learning culture with shared leadership structures.Administration and Leadership Handles budgeting and financial management with the Finance team, aligning resources with program goals. Consistently ensures teacher FTEs align with budget, funding requirements, and enrollment levels. Prioritizes student enrollment(in accordance with Warren Village enrollment priorities)to maximize room capacity and revenue sources.Maintains accurate records, including student counts and staff files.Represents the ELC in the community, advocating for the center and engaging with donors and community partners. Develops and monitors departmental strategic plan action items with reporting as necessary; implements changes as needed to ensure quality outcomes.Compliance and SafetyEnsures the safety and wellbeing of children by maintaining a clean, safe environment.Independently ensures compliance with State of Colorado’s Department of Early Childhood licensing requirements, including health, safety, and licensing standards.Coordinates maintenance with the Director of Facilities in alignment with licensing or other requirements.Oversees emergency drill procedures and staff responsibilities and timely adherence to all program-related requirements.Financial ManagementDevelops and manages the center’s budget in collaboration with the Finance team, including ensuring ongoing compliance with all funding source requirements for timely family information compliance.Approves expenditures and manages supply purchasing and capital items along with Assistant Director.Supports the management of parent accounts, enrollment, and marketing efforts as needed, including timely parent tuition payments.Collaborates with the grant-writing team on applications and implementation.Independently ensures contracts with funding sources (CCAP, UPK, DPP,SFP, HeadStart, etc.) are accurate and current, and that ongoing compliance and communication requirements are met.Family and Community EngagementEngages consistently with Family Supportive Services staff to proactively address student and/or parent issues, enrollment issues and other factors related to successful Two Gen model implementation. Builds relationships with families to ensure open communication on child progress and center policies.Addresses parent concerns and feed back and facilitates parent meetings and conferences.Collaborates with community organizations to support the center’s goals.Plans and implements family engagement opportunities, including conferences and events.Other duties as assigned. Competencies: Ability to independently and successfully operate a large early learning center, predominantly serving students coming from highly complicated and challenging environments.Commitment to the mission, goals, and values of Warren Village.Strong management, organization, and leadership skills with minimal oversight required.Effective time management and ability to meet deadlines.Strong ability to hold staff accountable to schedules and policies with swift corrective action as needed.Clear decision-making, problem-solving, and effective prioritization.Knowledge of Colorado licensing requirements and regulations.Continuous learning and modeling flexibility to meet business needs.Passion for equitable early childhood education, curriculum design, and instructional improvement.Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite programs and early childhood data systems (TS GOLD®, Creative Curriculum®, Conscious Discipline®,Brightwheel).Ability to implement inclusive practices for diverse developmental, medical, and behavioral needs.Working knowledge of licensing requirements, state/federal regulations, and health standards.Minimum/Required Qualifications: Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education or related field or4 years of related experience may be substituted for education. Valid State of Colorado Large Center Director Certificate.Demonstrated success leading a large early learning center in the Director role for a minimum of 3 years. Demonstrated knowledge and application of Colorado ELC licensing standards and requirementsExperience with Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP), Denver Preschool Program (DPP), Universal Pre-K (UPK), State Funded Program (SFP), Teaching Strategies Gold®/Interrater Reliability, Creative Curriculum®, Conscious Discipline®, and trauma-informed practices.Experience with Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC), Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), Denver Department of Public Health and Environment (DDPHE), Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), and Child Care Licensing Rules & Regulations.Understanding of, and experience with, service to low-income families in an ELC environment.Six years of related ELC experience, including teaching and at least three years in a supervisory role.Two years of computer experience with software programs and skills related to ELC operations.Ability to pass the State of Colorado (and out-of-state, as applicable) fingerprint and background checks.Preferred education, knowledge, and/or experience: Strongly preferred: Bachelor's Degree (BA) in Early Childhood Education or related field or 8 years of related experience to include teaching. Spanish proficiency, both verbally and in writing.Experience with culturally diverse populations.A valid Colorado driver’s license.Experience with Head Start, Devereux Early Childhood Assessment (DECA), ESI (Early Screening Inventory), and Ages and Stages Questionnaires (ASQ-3/ASQ-SE2).Work Environment: The working environment is an approximate balance of 50% office work (using a personal computer and other office equipment) and 50% movement inside/outside the center, including interactions with staff, families, children, community support agencies, consultants, and government agencies, which requires the ability to exchange accurate information. The environment includes unusual elements such as weather, dirt, dust, fumes, smoke, unpleasant odors, and/or loud noises. The employee may be exposed to contagious/ill children and must be conscious of the health and safety of the children, their parents, school personnel, and themselves. Physical Demands: While performing the responsibilities of the position, must constantly be able to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time; occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc. Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery such as a calculator, copy machine and computer printer. Frequently communicates information and ideas so others will understand; must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations. Must have the ability to observe details at close range. Travel Required: o No x Yes (limited within metro-Denver, largely between Warren Village locations) Salary & Benefits: $80,000 - $91,000 DOE and licensure (Full salary range up to $97,700 for long-tenured staff currently in position or other exceptional circumstances). Attractive benefits package, including generous paid time off (sick/vacation days) and twelve holidays. One-week closure in both winter and summer (paid outside of PTO). Matching employer 403(b) plan. Comprehensive and affordable medical, dental and vision plans for employee and dependents. Virtual telemedicine program. Voluntary supplemental Short-Term Disability and other similar benefits. Plus, company paid life and long-term disability insurance and Employee Assistance Program. FSA and HSA accounts. Professional development and tuition reimbursement opportunities. Discounted Early Learning Childcare services available. To Apply: Interested candidates apply at https://warrenvillage.org/about-us/careers. This position will be posted until the latter of May 18, 2026, or until a qualified candidate is hired. *When determining if a candidate is a good fit, we look at more than the jobs you have been paid to do but the ranges of ways you have picked up skills and knowledge through your life. If you feel you have lived experiences that may contribute to your experience for the position, please document in cover letter. Only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. We do not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiting agencies. Warren Village is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy or related medical conditions), national origin, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender or other diverse identity, age, disability, marital status, or another protected category. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please contact us at careers@warrenvillage.org. Compensation details: 80000-97700 Yearly Salary PI2f9d5bcef395-31181-40004949

Keywords: Warren Village Inc., Highlands Ranch , Early Learning Center Director - Alameda, Education / Teaching , Denver, Colorado