Early Childhood Center Director, Lancaster City

CHS Lancaster City – Lancaster, PA

Full-time

Catherine Hershey School for Early Learning, Lancaster City, will provide high-quality early childhood education and care to children from birth to age 5 at no cost to qualifying families. The state-of-the-art facility will foster an environment where children can grow and thrive and will offer integrated family services for enrolled families through a Family Success Center and dedicated family engagement staff. Prior to the opening of each CHS Center, the Center Director plays an integral role in building the foundation for the Center's success before they are joined by up to 80 employees and volunteers.

To prepare for the opening of CHS Lancaster in 2026, teachers and staff will receive pre-opening professional development, coaching, training, and team building through the CHS Development Program. This is a unique opportunity for early childhood professionals to expand their knowledge, grow their careers, and launch a child-focused state-of-the-art early learning center.

The CHS Lancaster City Center Director is responsible for supporting the launch and operation of CHS Lancaster City, providing a high-quality, child-centered educational and developmental program, as well as a family support program. In collaboration with the Assistant Director and school leadership team (Family Engagement Manager, School Operations Manager, and Health Services Manager), this individual will lead, direct, and supervise all center staff and day-to-day operations in accordance with established policies, guidelines, and curriculum. As the center leader, this individual will report to the CHS Central Office Executive Director. They will serve as a role model for administrators, teachers, and students at CHS Lancaster City and will guide staff in fulfilling the center’s mission and vision. Starting Salary is in the range of $88,727 and $118,451 a year, based on expertise.

Responsibilities:

Supervising and guiding all CHS Lancaster City departments to deliver high quality, child-centered education to students; Departments include: Center leadership, Education, Family Engagement/Enrollment, Center Operations, Health Services and additional administrative roles
Managing and supporting facilitation of Professional Development Program
Establishing an inclusive, welcoming environment and center culture through value-inspired leadership for all CHS Lancaster City staff
Observing and resolving gaps, inefficiencies, and conflicts in the day-to-day operations
Collaboratively spearheading staff recruitment, hiring, training, benefit, and retention efforts
Leading student recruitment, acceptance, and retention efforts alongside enrollment team
Implementing policies and procedures to safeguard health and safety of families and staff in compliance with the State requirements (DHS/OCDEL) and NAEYC standards
Ensuring adherence to all CHS policies, procedures, and governance standards
Creating an effective system of reporting and progress tracking
Maintaining clear and transparent communications with student parents and caregivers and formulating public communications to this audience on major events and issues
Obtaining necessary approvals, licenses, and accreditations for the center’s operations alongside center leaders
In collaboration with other stakeholders, managing the center’s local community outreach and relationships
Developing and fostering relationships with on-site partners for CHS Lancaster City
Working closely with the Assistant Director to ensure consistent high-quality programming and on track operations
Supporting the development of center budget and ensuring that funding, contract, and reporting requirements are met fully
Collaborating with CHS Central Office to implement strategic plans and achieve comprehensive outcomes and established implementation goal

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent in Early Childhood Education, Family Relations/Child Development, or related field (Master’s Degree preferred)
Lancaster City knowledge and experience gained through working or living in the community (preferred)
8 years of experience as an ECE teacher and leader
Significant experience overseeing several operations/departments and workstreams, including leading teams with a successful record of spearheading initiatives
Experience in creating, analyzing and presenting outcomes-related reporting to leadership
Able to uphold and effectively represent the mission and values of CHS and MHS with a high degree of professionalism
Ability to work well across functions and departments to forge strong cross-disciplinary relationships
Able to build and encourage a positive and collaborative working environment, showing appreciation and unity of all staff’s contributions
Experienced in people management and conflict resolution
Exceptional interpersonal skills, including the ability to influence, lead, educate, and collaborate
Demonstrated understanding of and ability to effectively work with low-income families
Able to establish and reinforce rules of behavior and compliance with procedures
Impeccable integrity as the leader of CHS Lancaster City and role model for all students
Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills – written, verbal, and platform
Proficiency in using technology including MS Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint)
Passionate about education and is an advocate for helping young children
Fluency in Spanish would be a plus

Who We Are and What We’re Looking For

At CHS, we are leaders passionate about early childhood education and community betterment. Our work is driven by the desire to endow children with the resources for educational and physical well-being, while supporting and empowering their families. We listen to the needs of our diverse community and adapt to give everyone a voice. We hold each-other accountable for bringing our best and most authentic selves to school every day, creating an environment of mutual respect.

We strive to build a team of individuals that is passionate about our mission, brings in new creative ideas, and loves their work. If this sounds like you, we look forward to seeing your application.

Apply Now

Teacher and students looking at an abacus

About Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning

For more than 110 years, Milton Hershey School (MHS) has helped children realize their full potential by offering a top-notch private, cost-free education to students in pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade from income-eligible families. To expand and enhance the impact of Milton and Catherine Hershey’s vision, the Boards and management of Milton Hershey School and the Hershey Trust Company are launching the Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning (CHS), a cost-free, non-residential early childhood education program.

CHS plans to open six early childhood education Centers by 2027. The Centers are designed for children from birth to age 5 from economically disadvantaged and at-risk backgrounds with the goal of encouraging the development of a child’s educational, cognitive, social, emotional, and physical well-being. The CHS Initiative will provide a focus on core early learning programs through a rigorous and relevant curriculum that is aligned with a mission to nurture and educate enrolled children. Children also will receive supports such as nutritious meals and provisions of supplies, among other early learning enhancements. Finally, CHS will offer integrated support services for families of children enrolled in the Centers. CHS is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes diversity.

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Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning does not discriminate against applicants or employees, in hiring, promotion or any terms or conditions of employment, on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, sex, age, religion or religious creed, veteran status, disability or use of a guide or support animal because of the blindness, deafness or physical handicap of the user or because the user is a handler or trainer of support or guide animals, or any other status protected under applicable federal or Pennsylvania law.