Director, Childcare Services

Facility: YWCA Metro Vancouver

City: Vancouver

Type of Child Care: Other

We currently operate 4 childcare centres with a 5th opening late 2025. 

Citygate Early Learning and Child Care Centre

• Located near downtown Vancouver
• For children aged 3 to 5 years

Crabtree Corner Early Learning and Child Care Centre 

• Located in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside
• Offering free, licensed, short-term care
• For children aged 6 weeks to 6 years

Emma's Early Learning and Child Care Centre 

• For children aged 6 weeks to 3 years
• With a focus on supporting young mothers

Leslie Diamond Early Learning and Child Care Centre 

• Located in the heart of downtown Vancouver
• For children aged 6 weeks to 3 years

Qualifications: Post Basic ECE

Required Experience:

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 organization principles, provides clear vision and direction, creates structures to achieve goals

· Business Insight, possesses comprehensive organizational knowledge, supports strategic planning, and applies financial management principles to achieve goals.

· Relationship Management, collaborates effectively, fosters open dialogue on differing opinions, and seeks win-win solutions to maximise effectiveness

· Emotional Maturity, communicates effectively, respects boundaries, and presents ideas clearly and logically.

· Results Orientation, Sets and achieves goals through sound decision-making, effective planning, and resource management.

· Development, continuously enhances expertise to add value in financial, legal, and risk management.

· A valid clear criminal record check (including working with vulnerable populations) is required.

· The YWCA Metro Vancouver’s COVID-19 vaccination policy is currently suspended and as a result, vaccination from COVID-19 is not required at this time. However, should circumstances change and the YWCA deem it necessary to reintroduce such policy, you may be required to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 in order to be eligible to continue performing your duties.

Key Responsibilities:

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.

Salary & Benefits:

What we offer: We offer our eligible employees the following benefits as part of their total compensation package:

· Extended medical and dental benefits

· A defined benefit pension plan

· Flexible working arrangements for applicable positions

· Employee Family Assistance Program, a confidential and voluntary support service for employees and their eligible family members

· Free staff membership to our Health + Fitness Centre, discounts at our YWCA Hotel and priority in YWCA Child Care centres

· Salary: $116,766 per annum

· A workplace that prioritizes employee health, safety and wellbeing, including many learning and growth opportunities such as our staff mentorship program and three equity committees who help to support our goals towards achieving meaningful equity and inclusion.

Additional Notes:

The YWCA Vancouver is very proud of our incredible chlld care centres, amazing employees who bring them to life, and of the work we do to support some of the most vulnerabe families in our communities.  We're looking for a child care centre operations expert who is inspired by working in child care each day and will bring creativity and new ideas to the YWCA child care program and services.

To apply, please submit your cover letter and resume to jburgess@ywcavan.org