Director of Tompkins Hall Nursery & Childhood Center

• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Salary Range: $115,000 - $160,000

Position Summary

Reporting to the Senior Associate Provost for Administration and Planning, the Director of Tompkins Hall Nursery and Childcare Center is a visionary leader responsible for cultivating a dynamic and inclusive learning environment grounded in progressive pedagogical approaches and experiential learning for young children. This multifaceted position requires a dynamic individual with a deep understanding of educational philosophies, strong leadership skills, a keen eye for administrative detail, and the ability to quickly develop familiarity with and to navigate the larger University context.

The Director must have a strong understanding of Article 47 of the New York City Health Code, which regulates Child Care Programs, and the experience to ensure total compliance with all relevant regulations and adherence to licensing standards. The ideal candidate has held a leadership role in a NYC-based Early Childhood Center and has deep experience with an Early Childhood Center's annual cyclical needs.

Tasked with the daily management of operations, the Director oversees the design and implementation of curriculum strategies that align with the Center's core pedagogical values. Effective supervision of and collaboration with staff, ensuring adherence to licensing standards and University policies, and building strong partnerships with parents/guardians and University partners are essential elements of this role. Recruitment of applicants and maintenance of a fully enrolled roster of students are also crucial responsibilities. In close collaboration with the Associate Director, the Director consistently models professionalism and exhibits leadership with the administrative and teaching team; provides opportunities for learning and participation to parents and guardians; and actively fosters an atmosphere of curiosity, creativity, and respect for students.

Tompkins Hall Nursery and Childcare Center is a unit within the Office of the Provost at Columbia University and is located close to Columbia's Morningside campus. Founded by faculty in the 1930s, Tompkins Hall is a progressive learning environment for children aged three months through five years, with deep roots in constructivist curricular approaches and influenced by the philosophy of Reggio Emilia, both of which center on children and childhood. Its students grow and learn through interacting with interests of their own choice with the guidance of nurturing facilitation from their teachers. The Center's days are full of art, music, books, and open-ended periods of play as well as extensive outdoor explorations.

Responsibilities

Pedagogical Oversight and Educational Leadership

• Oversee the execution of the school's developmental curriculum for Infants, Toddlers, Twos, and Preschool students, integrating constructivist and progressive philosophies into all aspects of the curriculum.
• Plan and develop strategic curriculum design and long-term educational planning that supports the Center's pedagogical philosophy; articulate these to teachers, parents/guardians, and the community.
• Oversee all communications: develop messaging and seek out forums for applicant recruitment; supervise teachers' regular, structured reports to parents/guardians on individual student progress; maintain school-wide communication system (currently Bloomz).
• Manage all policy- and protocol-related communications to parents and guardians, including announcements and notifications, DOH policy updates or changes, admissions and enrollment information, and more; effectively use messaging and tone to reinforce community and the school's culture and values.
• Supervise Associate Director in staff development, training, and supervision of Child Care Workers (variable hour officers) and student workers (may include interns, work-study candidates, volunteers, and student teachers).
• Organize and conduct staff development, including during scheduled professional development days and on an as-needed basis, identifying areas of pedagogical and administrative training needs.
• Conduct parent workshops on child development and other relevant topics.
• Coordinate in conjunction with the Class Parents, parental volunteer obligations.
• Oversee rooftop garden, including developing a plan for parent volunteer participation.

Administrative Leadership

• Ensure timely renewal of DOH operating permits.
• Oversee full compliance with all mandated regulations; train staff in compliance.
• Supervise all teachers and administrative staff. Conduct semi-annual and annual performance reviews and set professional goals.
• Cultivate leadership among the Lead Teaching team and delegate supervisory responsibilities as appropriate.
• Work closely with the Office of the Provost Human Resources on recruiting, hiring, and onboarding all teachers and administrative staff.
• Conduct annual orientation for new and returning teachers to ensure pedagogical, regulatory, and policy consistency and to build team culture.
• Collect and maintain data on all aspects of applications and enrollment to analyze trends and inform policies.
• Ensure compliance with all New York City and New York State regulations and with Columbia University policies.
• Explore, pursue, and maintain accreditation and membership with professional and accreditation organizations such as ISAAGNY.
• Work closely with the Columbia University Office of the Provost and other central units on strategic and financial planning.
• Oversee center finances, including financial strategy and the annual school budget, while overseeing the Associate Director who handles day-to-day financial operations.
• Coordinate with the Office of the Provost and Columbia central offices on the budgeting process.
• Determine strategy and execute on core human resources functions for the center, including employee relations and performance evaluations, working in consultation with the Office of the Provost and Central Human Resources for more complex needs.
• Provide back-up support to Associate Director, in the case of absence, for core and time-sensitive responsibilities.

Application, Admissions, and Enrollment Processes

• Conduct application, admissions, and enrollment processes.
• Establish and conduct tour dates and Open House events; add different types of applicant recruitment events as needs evolve.
• Prepare and distribute marketing materials for school.
• Develop and maintain application tracking systems and historical data; analyze trends; respond in real-time to applicant demand to bolster pool.
• Enroll, staff, and oversee the summer program.
• Create, maintain, and distribute school contracts and tuition bills.
• Maintain relationships with external financial aid assessment vendors. Support parents/guardians in the financial aid application process, including complying with all requirements.
• Chair financial aid committee for review of awards; create and distribute award letters.

Ex-missions

• Maintain the ex-missions process in alignment with the ISAAGNY calendar.
• Conduct ex-mission meetings with current families, including follow-up meetings with individual families as needed.
• Supervise teaching staff's ex-missions-related responsibilities, including adherence to deadlines and production of school reports.
• Stay informed of public and independent school admissions policies and opportunities.
• Support parental compliance with deadlines and expectations.

Perform other related duties and responsibilities as required.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education
• NY State Certification in Early Childhood Education (Birth to Grade 2)
• At least six years of experience in a play-based school environment, including at least three years working in a faculty supervisory position and/or in administration of a childcare center, preschool, or related setting and at least three years of teaching experience with babies, toddlers, and/or young children in a center.
• Demonstrated understanding of developmental needs of infants, toddlers, and young children
• Experience with core human resources functions, including employee relations and performance evaluations
• Excellent interpersonal, analytical, and organization skills
• Demonstrated excellence at follow-through
• Flexibility, diplomacy, collegiality, professionalism, ability to remain unflappable in high-pressure situations
• Absolute discretion and the ability to maintain confidentiality of all parties at all times
• Demonstrated excellence at understanding of administrative and operational services
• Passion for customer service; commitment to exceptional quality; attention to detail
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office and Excel; experience and comfort synthesizing and presenting data
• Ability to quickly acquire an understanding of Columbia University's financial systems
• Experience developing a budget

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience interfacing with government agencies to ensure regulatory compliance and timely issuance of operating permits
• Experience interfacing with government and non-government agencies providing services and support for children with special needs including Early Intervention and NYC Committee for Preschool Special Education
• Familiarity with kindergarten application and admissions processes for both public and independent schools
• Experience working in a university, school system, or other large institutional setting
• Growth mindset and dedication to lifelong learning

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.