About the Organization
Helping Hands Society is a small, mission‑driven nonprofit school serving young children, including children with disabilities. We provide inclusive, high‑quality early childhood education in a nurturing, safe, and developmentally appropriate environment. Our programs are aligned with Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) and Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) requirements.
Position Summary
The Executive Director (ED) serves as the chief administrative and educational leader of the organization, responsible for overall operations, regulatory compliance, staff leadership, and long‑term sustainability. The ED ensures the school delivers high‑quality early childhood and inclusive educational services while maintaining full compliance with PDE, and applicable special education regulations.
This is a hands‑on leadership role well‑suited to an experienced early childhood or nonprofit education leader who thrives in a small‑organization environment.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Operations
- Provide overall leadership for day‑to‑day school and program operations.
- Ensure programs reflect best practices in early childhood education, inclusion, and child development.
- Support a positive, collaborative culture for staff, children, and families.
Regulatory Compliance (Early Childhood Focus)
- Ensure compliance with all applicable certifications and monitoring requirements.
- Support preparedness for inspections and monitoring visits, including timely plans of correction and follow‑up.
PDE & Special Education Compliance (as applicable)
- Ensure compliance with Pennsylvania Department of Education requirements.
- Oversee special education services in alignment with IDEA and Pennsylvania Chapters 14 and/or 711, when applicable to enrolled students.
- Support coordination with families, Early Intervention partners, and placing school districts.
Financial Management & Sustainability
- Manage the annual budget; monitor financial performance and operational sustainability.
- Oversee tuition, public funding, grants, and fundraising activities as applicable.
- Ensure responsible stewardship of nonprofit resources.
Staff Leadership & Human Resources
- Recruit, supervise, and support staff in compliance with credentialing requirements.
- Ensure staff training, clearances, and professional development requirements are met.
- Foster a professional, supportive workplace culture focused on quality and accountability.
Family & Community Engagement
- Build strong, trusting relationships with families and caregivers.
- Serve as an ambassador for the school within the community.
- Ensure clear, respectful, and transparent communication with stakeholders.
Qualifications
Preferred
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in early childhood education, education, nonprofit management, or a related field.
- 5+ years of leadership experience in early childhood education, nonprofit management, or child‑serving organizations.
- Strong organizational, leadership, and communication skills.
- Familiarity with IDEA, Early Intervention, or inclusive early childhood settings.
- Experience with public funding, grants, or nonprofit fundraising.
Work Environment
- School‑based leadership role.
- Occasional evening or weekend commitments.
- Regular interaction with children, families, staff, regulatory partners and donors.
Key Physical Requirement
- Ability to remain in a stationary position for extended periods while performing administrative and leadership duties.
- Ability to operate standard office equipment, including computers, telephones, and related technology.
- Ability to communicate effectively with employees, students, families, board members, and community stakeholders.
- Ability to move throughout school and office facilities to oversee operations and attend meetings.
- Ability to occasionally transport or position materials weighing up to 15 pounds.
- Ability to travel as needed for meetings, events, and organizational functions.
- Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends for board meetings, school events, and community activities.
The Executive Director must be able to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position
Pay: $75,000.00 - $80,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Health insurance
- Retirement plan
Work Location: In person
