Director of Operations

Director of Operations

Join to apply for the Director of Operations role at Wonders Early Learning + Extended Day.

Why Work for Wonders Early Learning + Extended Day?

Play isn’t just fun, it’s fundamental! Children need playtime, which is crucial for healthy development. They learn about the world by exploring ideas, manipulating objects, investigating creative materials, and problem‑solving with others. Using imagination and creativity, children take on new roles and test new concepts. Wonders teachers use observation and planning to create learning experiences that are intentional and provide meaningful context for children to practice skills and express ideas.

Join the Wonders family of caring, dedicated, and fun educators!

About Wonders

Our Mission – To create and advance high‑quality, diverse educational communities that teach children the foundations of life‑long learning and social responsibility.

Since our inception in 1976, our goal has been to provide non‑profit, quality child care to working families. Over the years, we have grown from a single center in the basement of All Saint’s Church in Chevy Chase, Maryland to multiple accredited early learning, extended day, and summer camp programs across the DC Metropolitan Region.

Our programs support today’s workforce, while growing the workforce of tomorrow.

Benefits & Compensation

• Paid time off, holidays, winter break

• Medical with HRA, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, critical illness, accident insurance

• 403(b) retirement savings plan

• Wonders tuition discounts and professional development training

• Paid pre‑employment background checks, fingerprinting, medical exams, and drug screens as well as paid New Hire Orientation

• Approximately 80% of our annual budget is directed to staff compensation

Job Summary

The Director of Operations is responsible for managing the daily operations of the organization and executing the implementation of Wonders’ strategic plan. Reporting to the Executive Director and working closely with the Wonders administrative team, the Director of Operations will provide leadership, strong fiscal management, and active oversight in aligning the goals of the organization. The Director will ensure compliance with all regulatory agencies, risk management, compliance requirements, and facilities management for multiple locations, and will also oversee the Wonders Professional Development Consortium.

Essential Functions

• Lead and oversee all compliance and reporting activities to ensure proper state licensing, maintenance of business account records; adherence to federal, state, and local regulatory laws and reporting; compliance with insurance requirements; and otherwise manage all professional and contractual relationships.

Organizational Leadership

• Serve on the administrative leadership team, collaborating thoughtfully and enthusiastically in support of Wonders’ mission and strategic priorities.

• Ensure that Wonders is current and conforms to federal, state, and local legal requirements, as well as best practices in nonprofit management.

• Oversee all program emergency preparedness protocols.

Facilities And Vendor Relationships

• Provide administrative leadership and oversee the relationships with Wonders’ facilities management.

• Discern appropriateness of Wonders’ contractual relationships with vendors; actively manage these relationships to ensure mutual understanding of responsibilities, accountability, fiscal responsibility, and open, clear communications.

• Assess program needs and risks through management reports and regular site visits.

• Provide strategic leadership to ensure a culture of continuous improvement and efficiency.

• Other duties or responsibilities as assigned.

Core Competencies

• Effective team leader with a strong record of driving strategic initiatives.

• Solid grasp of nonprofit operations, budgeting, and business functions.

• Skilled in planning, organizing, and executing complex projects.

• Resourceful, data‑driven problem‑solver with strong analytical abilities.

• Clear, adaptable communicator skilled at engaging diverse stakeholders.

• Committed to advancing equity through policy, practice, and…