Director of Early Learning

Job Category: Early Childhood Education/Head Start

Requisition Number: DIREC
005051

• Posted: March 12, 2026
• Full-Time

DuPage, Wheaton, IL 60187, USA

We are currently seeking a full-time Director of Early Learning to join our DuPage Team!

The average starting salary for this position will fall in the range of $85,000 to $95,000 annually. Where candidates fall in this range will be based on skill and experience level.

• Actively participate in center-wide decision-making as a member of the site leadership team.
• Lead work with lead education agencies, organizations, and institutions to carry out program goals.
• Implement and manage all aspects of early learning programs, ensuring that all contract deliverables are met and that compliance with the agency code of conduct is maintained.
• Supervise area managers, including content area managers.
• Oversee all personnel matters across the span of control, including hiring, assigning work, performance management, and terminating staff, fostering leadership potential of program staff.
• Recommend, develop, and monitor budgets across programs with assistance from the Fiscal Manager and other appropriate leadership.
• Oversee programs to assure programmatic reporting and fiscal compliance, including in‑kind strategies, of contracts, and implementation of annual and long‑range plans.
• Develop and implement integration of services across disciplines, and/or agency‑wide systems approach to programming.
• Develop and foster relationships with community groups relating to agency and/or program needs.
• Staff the appropriate governing bodies (i.e., HSOB, Parent Policy Council).
• Ensure active supervision is provided to ensure the safety of Head Start children while in the classroom, during transitions, and on the playground, and that no child is left alone or unsupervised.
• Assure the quality and quantity of services are being delivered and keep informed of client needs.
• Work effectively with diverse staff, external colleagues, and service populations.
• Be responsible for developing and implementing strategies for growth and sustainability.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field from an accredited college or university (required).
• Five (5) years of supervisory and contract management experience in early learning with increasing levels of administrative responsibility (required).
• State license related to educational leadership or early childhood education as required by the funder(s).
• Must possess Pediatric First Aid and CPR certificate or obtain within 90 days of employment.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and develop professional relationships internally and externally.
• Excellent communication (oral and written) and interpersonal skills (required).
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced, complex environment.
• Ability to think strategically and provide innovative leadership.
• Mobility for travel (required).
• Ability to work effectively with diverse individuals and groups.

• Requires sitting and standing for sustained periods, frequently talking, hearing, using hands and fingers, and occasionally standing, bending, stretching, stooping, kneeling, and crouching.
• Requires close visual acuity to perform activities such as preparing and analyzing data and figures, transcribing, and viewing a computer terminal.
• May occasionally lift or move up to 30 pounds.

• Medical coverage, guardian dental coverage, and VSP vision coverage.
• Metropolitan Family Services contributions: $2,000 to individual HSA accounts and $4,000 to family HSA accounts, pro‑rated to your benefits start date.
• Free general medicine and behavioral health Teladoc services provided to all team members.
• Ascensus 401(k) plan services with a 4% employer match, vested at 100% on day one of eligibility.

Equal Opportunity Employer. This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.