Jobs at YWCA Princeton (Now Hiring) — 4 open

Job DetailsJob Location: Legal Address - Princeton, NJ 08540Salary Range: $75,000.00 - $85,000.00 Salary/yearJob Title: Co-Director of The Burke Foundation Early Childhood Center
Department: The Burke Foundation Early Childhood Center
Reports To: Chief Program and Impact Officer

FLSA Status: Exempt

Location: On-site

Employment Type: Full-time

Why Join YWCA Princeton?

YWCA Princeton is a mission-driven organization dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. We advance this mission through a wide range of programs that foster equity and expand opportunity for women, girls, and marginalized groups at every age and stage of life. Our offerings include early childhood education, English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction, a Breast Cancer Resource Center, economic empowerment initiatives, racial and gender equity advocacy, and opportunities for professional development and community connection.

About the Role

The Co-Director of The Burke Foundation Early Childhood Center serves as a senior leader responsible for the shared strategic and operational leadership of YWCA Princeton’s early childhood education program. Working in partnership with a second Co-Director, this role ensures the delivery of high-quality, developmentally appropriate, and equitable early childhood education while advancing YWCA’s mission.

The Co-Director provides leadership across program quality, staff development, family engagement, operations, and compliance, ensuring that the Center remains a trusted, inclusive, and high-performing community resource.

What You will Do

Here’s how you will contribute in this role

Program Leadership and Quality Assurance (35%)

Co-lead the planning, development, and implementation of high-quality early childhood programs aligned with NJ licensing and Grow NJ Kids standards
Ensure programs meet the social, emotional, cognitive, and physical developmental needs of children
Conduct regular assessments and implement continuous quality improvement initiatives
Ensure a nurturing, inclusive, and culturally responsive learning environment

Operations, Compliance and Resource Management (25%)

Ensure full compliance with all licensing, health, safety, and accreditation standards
Oversee daily operations including attendance, transitions, staffing patterns, facility readiness, and classroom supplies
Collaborate with finance and admissions on enrollment, billing coordination, and recordkeeping
Share responsibility for budget oversight, resource allocation, and operational efficiency

Staff Leadership and Organizational Culture (15%)

Recruit, hire, onboard, coach, and evaluate staff in partnership with Human Resources and executive leadership
Foster a positive, supportive, and accountable workplace culture rooted in transparency, growth, and equity
Lead professional development, coaching, and performance feedback for staff
Serve as acting Director when needed and share leadership coverage with Co-Director partner

Family and Community Engagement (15%)

Serve as a primary point of contact for families, building trusting, respectful, and responsive relationships
Ensure strong communication systems with parents and caregivers
Collaborate with community partners to expand access, resources, and program impact
Promote family engagement as a core component of children’s success

Organizational Learning and Mission Integration (10%)

Participate in organization-wide training, leadership meetings, and retreats
Align Center operations and culture with YWCA Princeton’s equity and mission priorities
Model leadership that integrates racial and gender equity into practice and decision-making

QualificationsWhat You Bring

We’re looking for someone who brings a combination of the following:

Required

Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or related educational field (Master’s preferred)
Minimum of 5 years of experience in early childhood education, including leadership or supervisory experience
Strong understanding of child development principles and early education best practices
Knowledge of NJ state licensing requirements and health and safety standards
Knowledge and experience of the quality rating process of Grow NJ Kids
Experience supervising staff and managing program operations
Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills
Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and professional ethics
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and internal database systems
CPR and First Aid certification (or willingness to obtain within 90 days)

Preferred (not required)

Experience in a nonprofit or community-based organization
Experience working with Universal Pre-K programs.
Bilingual (English/Spanish) strongly preferred
Familiarity with trauma-informed care and inclusive education practices

We recognize that experience can come in many forms — if you meet most of the qualifications and are excited about the role, we encourage you to apply.

Who You Are: Core Values & Competencies

At YWCA Princeton, success is not just about what you do, it is about how you do it. We value team members who:

Mission-Driven & Equity-Centered
We work every day to eliminate racism and empower women. Equity guides our decisions, practices, and partnerships.
Transparent & Trust-Based
We foster open communication, clarity, and respect at all levels. Trust is the foundation of how we lead, collaborate, and grow.
Growth-Minded & Learning-Focused
We embrace curiosity, feedback, and professional development. Staff are supported in their growth and encouraged to innovate.
Wellness & Care-Oriented
We prioritize work-life balance and a culture of compassion. Our policies and benefits reflect a deep commitment to employee well-being.

What You Can Expect

Work Environment & Accessibility

Work is performed in-Office
This role may require sitting, standing, lifting up to 50 lbs., and moving between classrooms and facilities.
We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.

Benefits and Compensation

We offer a competitive compensation package,

Compensation range: $75,000 - $85,000, commensurate with experience.

Paid time off, 13.5 holidays per year, and access to health and wellness benefits.

Employees also receive professional development opportunities and are welcomed into a values-driven, people-first culture.

All full-time YWCA employees are entitled to receive a 25% discount on childcare, classes, and summer program fees.

Equal Opportunity Statement

YWCA Princeton is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We embrace diversity and are committed to building an inclusive environment for all employees. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state (including NJLAD), or local law.

Disclaimer

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the position. Management reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and to assign other duties as necessary.