Are you an experienced early education professional who is interested in making a real difference in the lives of families with young children by using your relationship-building and problem-solving expertise? This newly created Hilltop Managing Director role may be that opportunity.

Columbus Early Learning Centers (CELC) is the Midwest’s oldest early education and care provider. Located in Columbus, Ohio, CELC is a growing nonprofit whose mission is to help young learners develop, families succeed, and neighborhoods thrive. We have been passionately committed to supporting Columbus’ youngest children and their families since 1887. We educate children ages 6 weeks to 5 years old, the most critical period of a person’s life, through year-round, all-day programming, wraparound services, and home visits. By providing affordable care to families through government subsidy programs (PFCC/Title XX), public/private investment, and family co-pays, CELC’s services allow caregivers to work while also preparing children for success in school and in life.

City of Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther, recognizing that fewer children residing in the Hilltop neighborhood were enrolled in quality early learning programs than anywhere else in the city, created an initiative to build a new multi-provider, pre-kindergarten Hilltop Early Learning Center for 4-year-old children residing in zip codes 43204, 43223, 43228. High-quality preschool experiences are now provided year-round at no cost for those living in households earning up to 300 percent of the poverty level. Columbus Early Learning Centers (CELC) was chosen as the center’s operator and contracted with other independent early learning providers to operate a total of 12 classrooms (1-4 rooms each) for up to 240 students in total. This unique model combines the resources of multiple early education-focused organizations, as well as an onsite medical suite operated by Nationwide Children’s Hospital, and an onsite food pantry.

The Hilltop Managing Director will manage activities within the building, external events, recruitment, community events, etc. Duties include ensuring CELC-run classrooms and those of partners adhere to contracts and the defined Scope of Work. The Managing Director will be named as administrator of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) Child Care Licensing Rules and SUTQ Guidelines and be the point of contact with ODJFS for matters pertaining to The Center. The person in this role will be The Center director for the 1-3 CELC-run classrooms, overseeing the classroom programs, managing the teachers, providing classroom coverage as needed, and overseeing all safety and security measures. They will be the community liaison in the Hilltop, the face of The Center, and responsible for recruiting families with child care needs, to fill The Hilltop Center. The Managing Director will organize and support the CELC classrooms, and coordinate the daily operations of all partners onsite such as YMCA-Columbus, Franklin County Child Development Council, Columbus City Schools, and Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

The Hilltop Managing Director has the following responsibilities:

• Uphold CELC’s Values and Mission
• Maintain strategic partnerships to further the Center’s objectives
• Maintain necessary licensing for the building to remain open
• Manage the teaching staff, janitorial and other contractors, and key stakeholders
• Seek opportunities for outreach to recruit children and families to the Center, as well as qualified staff 

Minimum Job Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience
• Proficient knowledge of, and commitment to, abiding by ODJFS Child Care Licensing Rules and SUTQ Guidelines
• Knowledge and experience working with families living in poverty and families dealing with trauma
• Valid Ohio Driver’s License and access to transportation
• Must pass a background check
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds
• Spanish language proficiency is very desirable 

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Proficient knowledge of, and commitment to abide by, CELC Policies and Procedures including the Personnel Policies and Family Guide
• Ability to consistently model exemplary professional ethics in all interactions with CELC employees, volunteers, families, enrolled children, and community partners
• Ability to work with staff and families with diverse life experiences, with compassion and understanding, forgoing any judgment, acknowledging that societal discrimination creates different realities based on a person’s station in life
• Evidence of successful customer service or relationship management
• Proven analytical and prioritization skills
• Patient and excellent communication skills (verbal and written)
• Ability to work independently as well as in a team environment
• Ability to prioritize and manage workload and deadlines