Director, Childcare Services

Job DescriptionYWCA Metro Vancouver Children’s Services operates four early learning and child care centres, with a fifth one slated to open in 2025. The Director of Childcare Services is responsible for setting the strategic direction and potential future growth of our early learning and child care centres, as well as overseeing the operations of all YWCA childcare centres, ensuring high-quality programs and services that meet the diverse needs of the community.

Reporting to the Vice President of Social Entrepreneurship, the Director shares accountability for achieving key strategic objectives, while driving initiatives that align with and advance the YWCA’s vision, mission, and strategies.

This critical role is essential to maintaining the YWCA’s reputation and delivering high-quality, affordable childcare to BC’s most vulnerable families. Managing the complexities of licensed childcare, this position requires a highly experienced hands-on leader with the expertise to navigate strategic growth and operational excellence.

As the YWCA expands its childcare offerings to reach even more families in need, this role will collaborate with the VP to co-create and implement a long-term childcare strategy, ensuring sustainable and impactful success.

**What you’ll be doing**:
**Strategic Direction**:

- Lead the development and implementation of the organization’s strategic goals and objectives as it relates to child care.
- Implement initiatives that enhance the quality of child care.

**Leadership and HR Management**:

- Directly supervise the Operations Manager and provide support for other team members, including Senior Centre Supervisors, Administration Supervisor, Childcare Services Coordinators and Early Childhood Educators.
- Provide leadership, coaching, and training to childcare management teams.
- Develop and implement recruitment, retention, and staff development strategies.
- Advise managers on HR issues (e.g., performance management, motivation, discipline, employee relations).
- Participate in labour relations, including negotiating and implementing collective agreements.

**Childcare Centre Operations**:

- Oversee operations of all childcare centres (including existing and new centres).
- Ensure consistent program quality and operational practices across centres.

**Policy Development & Risk Management**:

- Oversee policy development, updates, and licensing compliance.
- Address gaps in policies/procedures and initiate re-alignment as needed.
- Ensure compliance with risk and safety regulations across centres.

**Financial Management**:

- Develop and oversee operating budgets, resource allocations, and funding agreements.
- Manage revenue/expense oversight and ensure compliance with funding requirements.
- Advocate for funding needs and negotiate agreements as required.

**Facility Management**:

- Identify capital replacement needs and allocate resources.
- Recommend and approve contractors for major projects in collaboration with the VP.
- Develop plans to meet operational needs and licensing requirements.

**Health & Safety**:

- Provide oversight for health and safety planning and resource allocation.
- Identify training/compliance issues and ensure alignment with policies.
- Manage unscheduled closures and service interruptions.

**Risk Management**:

- Develop and oversee risk management policies and procedures.
- Support the resolution of incidents, liaising with licensing officers and other authorities.
- Conduct evaluations, quality assurance, and detailed analysis for departmental improvements.

**Community & External Relations**:

- Liaise with community partners and government agencies.
- Maintain expert knowledge of funding requirements and grants.
- Represent and advocate for the YWCA in external forums.

**Management Team Responsibilities**:

- Monitor and maintain operating budgets while ensuring quality service delivery.
- Identify and mitigate risks, fostering a culture of risk awareness.
- Support fund development and revenue-generating activities.
- Respond to issues related to privacy, whistleblowing, abuse, crisis, and complaints.
- Keep senior management informed of strategic developments affecting the organization.

**What you’ll need**:

- A minimum of 7+ years’ experience in a multidiscipline management environment with solid working knowledge of issues related to early learning and child care.
- Early Childhood Education Certification combined with a post secondary degree.
- Superior interpersonal and relationship building skills are necessary to establish rapport with diverse clients, unionized staff, volunteers, donors and partners.
- An innovative, results-oriented leader who has demonstrably strong management skills, with a proven track record in developing, implementing and delivering quality services
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in addition to previous experience advocating on issues
- Leadership and values, aligns with or