Director, Bernice B. Godine JCC Early Learning Center

Are you a high-impact, strategic-thinking, collaborative leader committed to educational excellence? Do you have a track record in providing visionary leadership, operational excellence, skillfully facilitating employee success and community engagement? If so, we want YOU to lead as Director for JCC Greater Boston’s Bernice B. Godine Early Learning Center as our newly envisioned Director and make a lasting impact on young lives and our vibrant community!

About JCC Greater Boston:

Since opening its doors in 1983, JCC Greater Boston has been committed to its mission of creating
a vibrant, inclusive, and diverse community by nurturing meaningful and lasting relationships.
Through our network of early learning centers, day camps, regional teen and family programs,
health and wellness offerings, and adult arts and ideas classes, JCC Greater Boston provides highly
valued connections, learning, and experiences for the Jewish community and friends.

JCC Greater Boston staff enjoy working in an innovative, friendly, and welcoming environment where
their talents and contributions are appreciated. In our recent employee survey, staff rated their
direct management and organizational alignment experiences close to 90% positive. If you want
to upgrade your working experience and have a better work-life balance, we encourage you to
explore becoming part of the JCC team!

The JCC is deeply committed to valuing and celebrating the uniqueness of each constituent. We
welcome staff and participants from diverse backgrounds. While being proudly Jewish, we strive
in every way to provide an open and welcoming setting for all, irrespective of personal practices,
beliefs, or background. We are guided by JCC Greater Boston’s core values: Belonging, Joyfulness,
Collaboration, and Transformation, which we hope resonate with all.

JCC Core Values:

About the Bernice B. Godine JCC Early Learning Center:

JCC Greater Boston is a leader in early childhood education, operating three
Early Learning Centers across Greater Boston in Newton, Sharon, and Hingham.
The JCC’s Early Learning Centers are united by a shared structure and pedagogical
approach while maintaining their own unique character shaped by community
needs and staff vision.

• The Godine Early Learning Center is JCC Greater Boston’s largest school, with a
  dedicated team of more than 40 staff members serving roughly 180 students
  across 15 classrooms.
• At Godine we provide a nurturing and engaging environment for children aged
  6 weeks to 5 years. Our educational approach is Reggio-inspired — we strive
  to foster a sense of curiosity in all our students, encouraging children of all ages
  and stages of development to explore multiple domains of learning through the
  lens of their own curiosity.
• While the Godine Early Learning Center is proudly a Jewish school, our community
  is open to all — above everything, we celebrate diversity, and teach our students
  to treat everyone with dignity, kindness, and respect.

Job Summary

The Director of the Bernice B. Godine JCC Early Learning Center (ELC) is the senior leader responsible for overseeing all aspects of school operations, education, employee success and excellence, and community
engagement. As the principal administrator, the Director ensures that the school provides a nurturing, high-quality educational experience while upholding the mission, values, and strategic vision of JCC
Greater Boston. The Director will report to the AVP of JCC’s Early Learning Centers.

The Director is responsible for creating and leading a cohesive and high-performing team of professionals – including the Director of Teaching and Learning, Curriculum Coordinator, two Child Development Specialists, Office Manager, Enrollment Coordinator and over 40 classroom teachers – that maintains the highest standards of instructional practice, customer service, school administration, and employee relations and performance.

As the leader of the largest JCC early learning center, the Director plays a key role in shaping the broader vision for early childhood education across JCC Greater Boston and ensuring the school is fully integrated into the larger JCC ecosystem.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership & School Oversight: Responsible for the overall oversight of the school, ensuring excellence in educational programming, staff leadership, operational management, compliance, and community engagement. Provide visionary leadership for the Bernice B. Godine JCC Early Learning Center, ensuring alignment with the JCC’s mission and goals.
• Educational & Program Excellence: In collaboration with the Director of Teaching and Learning, ensure the development and implementation of a high-quality, integrated secular and Judaic curriculum that aligns with Sheva Center Early Learning framework and Massachusetts Infant/Toddler and Preschool guidelines. Develop and implement ongoing professional development opportunities for teachers, ensuring they have the training, resources, and support to excel in early childhood education.
• Operations & Compliance: Ensure full compliance with Massachusetts EEC licensing requirements and all applicable regulations. Oversee the center’s health, safety, and child development standards, creating a secure and enriching environment for children and families. Establish efficient school operations, ensuring optimal staffing, classroom management, and program execution.
• Financial & Business Management: Develop and oversee the school’s budget, ensuring financial sustainability and strategic resource allocation. Ensure proper financial tracking, tuition collection, and payroll coordination in partnership with the JCC finance team.
• Family & Community Engagement: Build strong relationships with families, ensuring a warm, inclusive, and responsive school community. Serve as the primary point of contact for parent communications, addressing concerns and fostering positive relationships.
• Marketing & Outreach: Collaborate with the Enrollment Coordinator and Marketing department to implement effective marketing strategies aimed at attracting new students and maintaining strong enrollment. Partner with HR to develop and execute staff recruitment strategies to attract and retain high-quality educators.
• Organizational Commitment & Collaboration: Serve as part of the broader team of ELC Directors from the JCCs other ELC sites, collaborating regularly to align best practices, share insights, and contribute to the overall strategic vision of the JCC’s early childhood education programs. Work closely with Senior JCC leadership to integrate the ELC into the broader JCC mission and community offerings. Uphold and represent the JCC’s mission and philosophy in all aspects of leadership.
• Supervisory Responsibilities: The Director is directly responsible for supervising the Director of Teaching and Learning, the Office Manager, the Enrollment Coordinator, and the Child Development Specialists. Additionally, the Director provides support to the Director of Teaching and Learning in overseeing the Curriculum Coordinator. The Director also plays a key role in supporting all classroom supervisors in the supervision of more than 40 classroom teachers, ensuring a cohesive and well-managed educational environment.

What You Bring

This high-impact leadership role is an exciting opportunity for a strategic-thinking individual with experience managing a large school, a demonstrated track record of operational excellence, and a commitment to early childhood education.

The ideal candidate is a strong leader with a clear vision who is capable of overseeing budgeting, enrollment, and overall school success while shaping a positive, engaged, and high-performing school culture. They must possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills to build trust among teachers, families, and the broader JCC community. Strong problem-solving, adaptability, and decision-making skills will be critical in navigating change management and enhancing the school’s environment.

Education and Experience

This position requires a bachelor’s degree or higher in Early Childhood Education or a related field. Master’s degree strongly preferred. A minimum of five years successful experience in a management/leadership role and supervising a team. Knowledge of early childhood education and familiarity with licensing requirements are a must. Must be willing and able to attain EEC Director II Certification. Equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted at the JCC’s discretion to meet this minimum hiring criteria.

Skills and Abilities

• Must be an excellent communicator, both written and oral, and demonstrate this in work with parents, teachers and colleagues.
• Must be able to create, articulate and advocate for a vision for the Early Learning Center and to demonstrate a passion for creating a caring and responsive community.
• Must be able to work effectively and collaboratively.
• Must be able to juggle many, sometimes competing, priorities, demonstrating excellent organizational and time management skills.
• A commitment to continuous professional growth is essential, including but not limited to leadership training, Jewish education, and the latest research and best practices in early childhood education.
• Should have knowledge of education and experience in educational theory, not necessarily limited to early childhood.
• Must demonstrate a commitment to education (early childhood a plus).
• Demonstrates a history of superb interpersonal and active listening skills.
• Must have a record of successfully working well independently and with others, building/sustaining collaborative working relationships.
• Demonstrates a commitment to building strong relationships with a variety of stakeholders.
• Must have a track record of excellent judgement, problem-solving, and decision-making skills; able to tactfully and effectively navigate sometimes difficult conversations.
• Must have the ability to lead organizational culture change, build trust, and foster a positive, collaborative work environment among staff to create a thriving culture of mutual accountability, respect, innovation, services and productivity.
• Must be committed to staff development and mentorship, to create a culture of achievement, success, and accountability.

Physical Requirements

While some functions may be performed remotely, this position is primarily performed in person, requires occasional local travel to our other JCC locations, and some evening and weekend work is needed to fulfill job functions. Must be able to handle a fast-paced, child-centered work environment. In the course of regular work, you may need to bend, reach, lift and carry. Must be able to work well in a busy, dynamic, and sometimes noisy environment involving multiple tasks and priorities. Able to lift and carry objects weighing up to 40 pounds. Able to sit and kneel; getting down at eye level with children regularly. Must be able to stand and walk for long periods of time.

ADA Statement:

Individuals must possess these criteria for knowledge, skills and abilities or be able to explain and demonstrate that the individual can perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation and using some other combination of skills and abilities.

Benefits and Compensation

JCC Greater Boston staff enjoy working in an innovative, friendly, and welcoming environment where their talents and contributions are appreciated. If you want to upgrade your working experience and have a better work-life balance, we encourage you to explore becoming part of the JCC team!

In addition to a rewarding career within our supportive, professional, values-driven, and family centric environment, JCC Greater Boston proudly offers full-time employees a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive cost-sharing health and dental insurance
• JCC sponsored/paid health deductible reimbursement account
• JCC sponsored/fully paid group life insurance/LTD coverage
• Generous paid time off supporting a quality of work-life balance
• Tax-deferred 403(b) retirement savings plan and ROTH contribution options

This position is also eligible for a free individual membership to JCC Greater Boston’s top class fitness, recreation, and wellness facility in Newton – offering virtual and in-person programs including indoor swimming, an extensive selection of fitness classes, state-of-the-art-fitness facilities, and discounts to JCCGB events, classes, outdoor pool membership, and more!

JCC Greater Boston is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any individual or group on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or disability. In a continuing effort to maintain and enrich a diverse environment, we actively encourage applications from women and members of underrepresented groups.