Campus Director

DescriptionThe Growing Place Position DescriptionPosition: Campus DirectorLocation: Growing Place Early Childhood Lab School 1802 4th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401Status: Full-time, ExemptReports to: Executive DirectorTHE ORGANIZATIONGrowing Place is a non-profit 501(c)(3) child development center, established in 1985. Our mission is to create a better future by helping children develop into confident, compassionate, and creative problem solvers. Our unique program unifies children, parents, and teachers into a community that learns together. Growing Place provides the young children of working families with high-quality, full-day, year-round early education. Our philosophy holds that all children learn from interactions with other children and from interactions with the environment, as well as from interactions with adults. We are in dialogue with Reggio Children and use best practices from their school systems in our context. We fundamentally view children as competent, resilient, and curious individuals; teachers as researchers, facilitators, and collaborators of learning for children and adults; parents as authentic partners.We operate two NAEYC accredited campuses in Santa Monica and are in partnership with the City of Santa Monica and Santa Monica College operating a third campus, Santa Monica Early Childhood Lab School (SMECLS), which opened in 2021. This campus serves as a demonstration site for ECE students enrolled at Santa Monica College.Description of the PositionThe Campus Director collaborates with children, staff, families, Santa Monica College, and the broader community to carry out the values and mission of the Growing Place. The Campus Director serves as the catalyst of the school to continuously reflect, innovate, and contribute to the evolution of the school. Working in concert with the Executive Director and community partners, the Campus Director is responsible for leading the school in a social constructivist curriculum design and implementation.The Campus Director, with support from the Assistant Director, directs, manages, monitors, and maintains control over all aspects of campus operations. The Campus Director is responsible for all center operations, and leads the center’s pedagogical and curriculum development and implementation through a close collaboration. The Campus Director is responsible for the partnership between GP and SMC; and strives to ensure SMECLS is an exemplary demonstration site for all learners. The Campus Director holds a strong and clear vision of the organization’s purpose statement and how to actualize the school’s goals and objectives as outlined in our Strategic Plan.The Campus Director is creative, organized, analytical, flexible, reflective and collaborative.Responsibilities and DutiesPromote Effective Teaching and LearningWork with ChildrenCollaborate with staff and Educational Coordinating Team (ECT) to design and implement curriculum for the entire campus that is in accordance with the Growing Place philosophies and pedagogyEnsure that all children are given opportunities to thrive and structures are in place to support children with learning and/or developmental variationsBuild respectful, trusting, and positive relationships with all childrenWork with FamiliesAssure all staff have the skills and disposition to create authentic partnerships with familiesWelcome families and create relationships so they feel a sense of belongingSupport with orienting new families on philosophy and pedagogyParticipate in parent-teacher meetings and conferencesLead family events and engagements related to pedagogy; such as Coffee & Conversations, Parent-Teacher Dialogues, Back to School Night etc.Effectively communicate with families about the life of the schoolPublish newsletters and other relevant communications to families and the wider community regarding the work and mission of Growing PlaceWork with StaffCultivate a positive, healthy, and professional work environmentCultivate a culture of curiosity, reflection, innovation, and critical thinking and feedbackWork alongside staff to promote positive language, constructivist teaching practices and developmentally appropriate practicesParticipate in consistent and authentic feedback from employees, including having a continuous performance management planEnsure that staff understand and implement the Growing Place mission, values, and practicesEffectively lead and facilitate meetingsDesign and lead professional development plans; specific to an employee, age-cohort, team, campus-wide or organizationally wideLead and participate in creating, reviewing and editing documentation for classrooms and across campusesWork with Community and SMCDeepen a working partnership with SMC E/EC Department facultyDeepen an understanding of SMC’s E/EC department and programLead endeavors that highlight the teaching and learning model at ECLSEnsure opportunities for all adult learners to engage in learning at Growing PlaceCultivate a strong, positive, and professional relationship with the Board of DirectorsAttend and participate in professional development relevant to furthering the organization’s missionPresent at conferences that enhance the presentation of the Growing Place in the wider communityAssist staff to prepare and present work to parents and the professional communityNetwork with other schools to create partnerships and places of inspiration for future learning opportunitiesFiscal ResponsibilitiesCollaborate with Executive Director, Business Manager, and Assistant Director to develop an annual budget that reflects the school’s values and educational goalsSupport a spirit of philanthropy with parents, community, and foundationsFollow the fiscal policies and procedures handbookCollaborate with the Assistant Director on program report due to SMC and to implement operation agreements between SMC and GPEnrollment and MarketingSupport Assistant Director to conduct tours of the center for prospective parentsEnsure all members of the community (parents, staff, etc.) understand the mission, values, and practices of the Growing PlaceCollaborate with appropriate parties to ensure that all communication/marketing materials reflect Growing Place’s mission, values, and practicesEnsure visibility at Preschool/Career Fairs and local community events for recruitment of families and staffOperations and BusinessSupport positive partnerships to promote good business practicesStay abreast of best practices and research regarding children, families, teaching, learning, organizational structuresCampus FacilitiesPlan and ensure that the campus environment promotes teaching, learning, development of trusting relationships, beauty, richness, connection to the natural world and the context of the school, and safety for children and adultsProvide training, direction and oversight so that materials in the center reflect our pedagogical and environmental values and are within our operating budget expenseAdditional responsibilities will be assigned by the supervisor and outlined in the work plans.Minimum Qualifications/RequirementsA Master Degree in a related field (i.e.. Early Childhood Education, Educational Leadership/Administration)Experience in leadership, administration, supervision, mentorshipTwo (2) years of experience working with children ages 3 months-6 years old in a licensed quality child care program, NAEYC accredited child care center preferredDemonstrate an understanding of child developmentDemonstrate and easily communicate social constructivism, Reggio Emilia approachQualify for Program Director Permit per the CA Commission of Teacher CredentialingMeet requirements of the CA Department of Social Services (TB status, required immunizations, CPR certification, fingerprint clearance)CompetenciesValues parents as important partners in the work of the schoolPays attention to the many ways that children make meaning of the worldCollaborates with children and adults in positive waysExhibits a positive, team player spiritHas a keen interest and curiosity about the nature of learning and teachingFinds joy in working with children and adultsApproaches teaching as a life-long learnerEmbraces reflection as a tool for growth and learningDemonstrates commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equitySeeks out resources to continually improve one’s practiceValues learning from mistakesEstablishes professional boundaries with children, parents, and colleaguesDemonstrates professionalism in dress, attitude, communication, and punctualityShows and values integrity for oneself and othersProvides value add to the organization beyond the job positionDemonstrates strong writing and communication skillsDemonstrate skillful dialogue and relationship building with parentsWorking ConditionsAbility to stand and sit in indoor and outdoor environments designed for children ages 3 months - 6 yearsAbility to move rapidly from a sitting to standing position, and to be able to get down and up off the ground as neededAbility to push, pull, or lift up to 50lbsWorking in all weather conditionsSome travel, evening and weekends are occasionally requiredRequires developmentally normal hearing abilities and visual acuityRequires strong communication skills with children, families, faculty, and staffSalary and Benefits Starting Annual Salary: $95,000 - $120,000 (salary commensurate with experience)Benefits:4 Weeks Synchronized School Closure10 days additional Paid Time Off (PTO)9 Paid Days National/State HolidaysUp to 72 Hours of Paid Sick Leave (PSL)Unused PSL will roll over to the next school year as Paid Time Off (PTO)Medical, Dental, Vision Benefits Covered at 100% for the base policyLife Insurance with a fully paid premium and a $25,000 benefit403(b) retirement plan with a 50% match up to 3%Application Process: Qualified candidates will be contacted to participate in a phone interview. Candidates who advance through the interview process will participate in an in-person interview with Growing Place administration. Finalists will be invited to participate in a ½ day interview that will include an opportunity to observe our classrooms and engage with constituents from our community (Board Members, parents, and staff).Contact Info No phone calls. Please send all required information to #J-18808-Ljbffr

Created: 2025-10-06