Early Childhood Education Associate Director-Preschool
Academic Staff
Regular
Early Childhood Education Associate Director
The Associate Director-Preschool provides operational and educational leadership for the Children's Learning Center preschool program, ensuring high-quality early childhood education in a safe, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate environment. Reporting to the Director, this position oversees curriculum implementation, classroom operations, staffing, and regulatory compliance while supervising preschool educators and supporting their professional growth. The Associate Director takes a leadership role with families, campus partners, and community agencies to support children's learning and development, including those with diverse learning needs. This role also assists with budget planning and monitoring, enrollment support, policy development, accreditation and licensing compliance, and the daily operation of the center to ensure alignment with the Children's Learning Center's mission, NAEYC Accreditation Standards, Wisconsin Child Care Licensing regulations, and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's strategic goals.
Physical Requirements:
Lift children up to 50 lbs.
Sit on floor for long periods
Walk up and downstairs on a regular basis
Active participation with children during play in classroom, gyms, and playgrounds
The Children’s Learning Center in Student Affairs is required to conduct Post-Offer Pre-Employment (POPE) physical screening on all selected candidates for Assistant Director positions. The test involves squatting, bending, reaching lifting, carrying, etc. of varying weights to simulate the physical demands you may experience while on the job. Employment is contingent upon successfully passing the screening.
- Implements and supervises the operations of special programming and events
- Monitors licensing, accreditation documentation, and other required program reports according to established rules and regulations
- Exercises supervisory authority, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining, and/or approving hours worked of at least 2.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees
- Assists in developing and auditing the unit budget
- Governs tuition account activity, monitors financial reports, and distributes and processes invoices to clients and vendors
- Serves as a liaison and fosters communication between internal and external stakeholders to provide clear and consistent information
- Supervises the day-to-day activities of early childhood education staff to ensure the safety and physical well-being of children in a specified child care facility
- Relays effective and pertinent communication to internal and external stakeholders from unit leadership regarding current program and site activities
- Assists with the development and implementation of early childhood curriculums, professional development, and operating policies and procedures to comply with regulations, institutional policies, and unit objectives
Department: Children's Learning Center
Compensation: $ 53,900 -$58,000
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in early childhood, or Elementary Education
3-5 years of experience teaching in an ECE environment
At least 3 years directly supervising in an early learning environment
Knowledge of services in the CLC community related to support for young children with unique learning needs or identified disabilities/delays - such as Birth to Three, Special Education (LEAs), Infant Mental Health and other therapies
Working understanding of ADA and IDEA as they apply to early learning programs
Pedagogical Administrator and Operational Administrator - credits in ECE/Child Development (12 - 35).
Preferred Qualifications:
Master’s degree in early learning (or related field with ECE classroom experience)
Expertise with Pyramid Model implementation including classroom assessment of Pyramid strategies such as T-POT and T-PITOS
Hands on experience with practice-based coaching of educators serving children 3-5
Experience with an emergent, play-based curriculum approach
Knowledge of Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards, NAEYC accreditation and Youngstar rating systems
Direct experience leading teachers through the NAEYC accreditation process
Experience facilitating professional development for educators with demonstrated knowledge of adult learning principles and best practices
Experience in environments committed to trauma-informed practices
Familiarity and/or training in ABA and related support provided to children with disabilities and/or delays
How to Apply:
Interested applicants are required to apply online and provide a cover letter and a detailed resume/CV that addresses their professional-level work experience as it relates to all required and preferred qualifications.
Finalist candidate(s) being considered for hire will be required to provide three professional/supervisor references through an external reference checking tool. References will not be contacted prior to candidates being notified.
In instances where the Search and Screen Committee is unable to ascertain from the candidates’ application materials whether they meet any of the qualifications, they may be evaluated as not meeting such qualifications.
This is an Evergreen recruitment with an initial review date of 09/14/2026. To ensure consideration, applications must be submitted by 09/13/2026. Applications submitted after 09/14/2026 may not be reviewed.
Contact:
Please contact Luke Messmann at [email protected] with any questions
Reasonable Accommodations
Pursuant to university policy , UWM provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities who are employees or applicants for employment. Employment opportunities will not be denied because of the need to make reasonable accommodations for a qualified individual with a disability. If you need assistance or accommodation in applying because of a disability, please contact [email protected] or 414-229-4463. This job announcement and other material on this site will be made available in alternate formats upon request to an individual with a disability.
Confidentiality of Applicant Materials
UWM is a State agency and subject to Wisconsin’s Open Records Law. UWM will not, however, reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing except as may be required by Wisconsin’s Open Records law. In certain circumstances, the identities of “final candidates” and/or the identity of the appointed applicant must be revealed upon request.
CBC and Reference Check Policy
Employment will require a criminal background check. UWM takes the prevention of sexual misconduct seriously. As such, you and your references will be required to answer questions regarding any past findings of sexual violence and sexual harassment or any pending allegations of sexual violence or sexual harassment.
Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (Clery Act)
For the UWM Annual Security and Fire Safety Reports (i.e., Clery Report), which includes statistics about reported crimes and information about campus security policies, see http://www.cleryact.uwm.edu/ , or call UWM’s Dean of Students Office, Student Union 345 at (414) 229-4632 for a paper copy.
Employment Authorization
In compliance with federal law, all persons at the time of their start date will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.
UW is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other bases protected by applicable federal or State law and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.
