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Summary
Wesley Early Learning and Family Center (Wesley Center) is a ministry of the First United Methodist Church of Orlando. As such, the Executive Director must be of Christian faith and will serve as a Christian spiritual leader for the children enrolled at the Center, their families, and the Center staff. The Executive Director is expected to attend and participate in church ministry events to help bridge the ministry between the Church and the Wesley Center. The Executive Director must manifest love and concern for children while providing a safe, healthy learning environment that stimulates positive emotional, social, spiritual, physical, and cognitive development. As we learn to live with Covid-19 and adjust to pandemic-related societal shifts, the next Executive Director must be able to adapt to change and lead through change quickly.
Core Functions
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below represent the knowledge, skill, and ability required. Reasonable accommodations may enable individuals with special needs to perform the essential functions.
Lead:
Ensure the safety, security, and well-being of children and staff.
Maintain an atmosphere conducive to the spiritual health and growth of the children and staff.
Implement the goals and philosophy of the Center in collaboration with the Wesley Center staff, Wesley Center Board, pastors, and church staff in keeping with its role as a ministry of the Church.
Ensure all DCF and UMAP standards are followed, including but not limited to staff-to-child ratios, health and safety requirements, educational standards, the presence of a Director on-site at all times during operating hours, staff continuing education, etc. Maintain and renew license and accreditation.
Recruit new students and families to the Wesley Center. Maintain and grow enrollment numbers. Assign students and staff to classroom placements. Design and implement orientation programs for families at the beginning of each school year and enrollment period.
Practice sound financial leadership of the Wesley Center finances. Maximize revenue and adjust resources to control expenses. Research and recommend tuition and salary rates annually to the Wesley Center Board. Seek budget-relieving opportunities, including grants and other community resources. Submit timely and accurate VPK attendance and billing information.
Supervise Wesley Center staff. Recruit, interview, and hire new employees (including interns). Promote and terminate staff as required. Establish annual employee performance goals and conduct yearly employee evaluations. Schedule staff continuing education, including at least two center-wide opportunities annually. Lead staff meetings at least quarterly. Offer staff spiritual development opportunities. Comply with church and Wesley Center personnel policies. Initiate all worker's compensation claims—update staff job descriptions as needed.
Select and implement an appropriate curriculum that meets educational standards and incorporates the Christian faith.
Address facilities-related issues as they arise and envision possible future facility changes.
Attend and participate in professional conferences, lectures, and educational events, especially accreditation-related. Stay current in the areas of early childhood education and child development.
Maintain a physical presence on the church/center campus except participating in approved conferences, workshops, community events, or other approved absences.
Offer support and guidance to parents as needed.
Abide by the church’s Child and Youth Protection Policy.
Collaborate:
Create an environment conducive to positive interaction with staff members, children, parents, church leadership, church members, and the community.
Work with the pastors and Wesley Center Board to evaluate the current and future ministry of the Wesley Center. Participate in vision and planning sessions for the future of the Wesley Center.
Work with the Wesley Center Council to make policy recommendations, scholarship or financial assistance recommendations, handbook changes, etc. Attend all Wesley Center Council meetings and be prepared to share current financial information, enrollment numbers, etc.
Attend and participate in church staff meetings.
Develop a positive relationship with the church’s Pastor of Children’s Ministries—partner with Children’s Ministry in ministry to children and families. Attend Children’s Ministry Leadership Council meetings as a non-voting member.
Work with the church Director of Finance in overseeing the Wesley Center finances. Create an annual budget for approval by the Wesley Center Board, Finance Committee, and Church Council. Distribute monthly financial reports to Wesley Center Board, Finance Committee, and Church Council. Attend Finance and Church Council meetings at least quarterly. Ensure employee payroll and benefits information is correct.
Work with the church Director of Facilities and Community Partnerships and staff to ensure Wesley Center facilities' health, safety, security, and cheerful appearance. Ensure technology systems are operating accurately and efficiently to meet the needs of the Center. Work with the Director of Facilities, church Trustees committee, and Wesley Center Council to plan for short-term and long-term facility needs.
Work with the PEA Pod (Wesley Center parent group) to plan and coordinate family participation events and educational opportunities.
Communicate:
Send weekly emails/newsletters to parents and staff, keeping them informed about what’s happening at the Wesley Center.
Create marking strategies to grow enrollment and expand the business.
Work with the Director of Communications to communicate clearly and often with children, parents, volunteers, First Church, and the community about opportunities at the Wesley Center and the church.
Enthusiastically inform pastors, staff, members of First Church, etc., about the activities of the Wesley Center.
Notify pastors and Wesley Center Board chair of license/accreditation deficiencies or health and safety issues.
Practice appropriate confidentiality regarding children, families, and staff members.
Ask for help when needed.
Promote, communicate, and embody the vision, mission, and core values of First Church.
Preferred Qualifications
Education, Licensing, and Experience:
Bachelor’s degree from a four-year College or University with at least two years of classroom experience and five years of management/supervisory experience in a school or child care center.
She completed a 40-hour introduction to Child Care Training Course, a 5-hour Early Literacy and Language Development Course, and the Emergent Literacy Course (ECE).
Maintains a current Florida Director credential and VPK Director Endorsement.
Holds a Child Development Associate degree (CDA) national or equivalent.
Knows child care standards from the perspective of a center Director.
Embodies and lives the Christian faith. We are deeply committed to personal spiritual growth.
Passionately desires to share and develop the Christian faith with children, families, and adults.
Computer and Administrative Skills:
Working knowledge of internet tools, including social media, spreadsheets, and word processing software.
Effectively manages people, resources, and programs.
Develops and implements budgets.
Possesses strong organizational and record-keeping skills.
Other:
Strong commitment to the Christian faith and theology of The United Methodist Church. Familiarity with the United Methodist Church structure and Wesleyan theology. Regularly attend church services and church ministry events as a participant or member.
Must be adaptable, innovative, cooperative, hospitable, and communicative.
Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from staff, parents, children, lay leadership, and the community.
Ability to solve practical problems and effectively cope with the challenges that may arise from working with a variety of people in both school and church settings.
Must be able to multitask, organize, and delegate.
Must be able to work independently and with a team.
Must pass a background, fingerprint, and reference check.
Ability to occasionally lift 50 lbs.