Director of Early Childhood Programs and Professional Development

Join a dedicated and experienced team of early childhood professionals & advocates! We are actively seeking a Director of Early Childhood Programs and Professional Development .

The Child Care Council of Suffolk, Inc. is one of the leading early childhood organizations in the state - supporting more than 900 licensed child care and Pre-K programs in Suffolk County. Our knowledgeable staff work directly with child care programs, educators and parents to ensure that every child has equitable access to high-quality early learning opportunities.

We offer generous vacation, personal time and sick time, plus two mental health days each year. Our culture is positive and flexible with a focus on supporting our employees and recognizing the importance of supporting a healthy work/life balance.

As the Director of Early Childhood Programs and Professional Development you will be part of a team-oriented work environment that values individual team members’ contributions, appreciation for diversity and confidentiality standards of the agency.

Job Overview:

The Director of Early Childhood Programs and Professional Development provides strategic leadership and oversight for the Child Care Council of Suffolk's early childhood education, professional development, technical assistance, consultation, and program-quality initiatives.

The Director is responsible for ensuring the effective implementation of contracted and grant-funded services related to the Child Care Resource and Referral program, infant and toddler services, infant and early childhood mental health consultation, health care consultation, early childhood and school-age technical assistance, professional development, and Pre-K and other early learning initiatives.

The Director supervises and supports program a team of mental health consultants, specialists, trainers, and other assigned staff; ensures that contractual requirements and performance goals are met; promotes consistent, high-quality services across programs; and represents the Council in partnerships and initiatives related to early care and learning.

General Skill Requirements:

The successful candidate must demonstrate a strong commitment to the mission and values of the Child Care Council of Suffolk and an extensive knowledge of developmentally appropriate practice in early childhood education. The position requires sound judgment, integrity, flexibility, initiative, accountability, and the ability to lead collaboratively. The Director must be able to balance strategic leadership with attention to program operations and support staff in delivering high-quality, responsive services to the early childhood community.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide leadership and oversight for assigned early childhood education, professional development, technical assistance, consultation, and school-age child care programs.
• Ensure that all contractual obligations, grant requirements, deliverables, performance standards, and reporting deadlines are met.
• Develop annual goals, work plans, service-delivery strategies, and measurable outcomes in collaboration with Council leadership and program staff.
• Monitor program implementation, identify emerging needs or service gaps, and recommend programmatic or operational improvements.

• Supervise, coach, and support managers, specialists, consultants, trainers, and other assigned staff.
• Establish clear expectations, responsibilities, priorities, and performance goals for program teams.
• Promote collaboration and communication across all departments.
• Support staff recruitment, onboarding, professional growth, performance evaluation, and retention.
• Foster a positive, accountable, inclusive, and mission-driven work environment.
• Ensure that staff maintain the knowledge, competencies, certifications, and professional standards required for their respective roles.

• Oversee the planning, development, delivery, and evaluation of professional-development opportunities for child care providers and early childhood professionals.
• Ensure that training, consultation, coaching, and technical…