Director of Little Lions ELC and Nursery

Job Description

DIRECTOR OF LITTLE LIONS ELC AND NURSERY

The Director of the Little Lions Early Learning Center leads the parish's ministry to families with young children as St. Mark the Evangelist expands its Mother's Day Out program into a full Early Learning Center. The Director serves as a champion of the parish's outreach and presence in the greater Birmingham community, extending gracious hospitality and Christ-centered care to children and their families. This position carries full responsibility for the administration, operations, finances, personnel, compliance, and growth of the Center, as well as oversight of the parish Nursery, which functions during regularly scheduled liturgical and parish events to enable parents to participate fully in the life of the Church.

Above all, the Director ensures that the Center is an authentically Catholic environment, one in which children encounter the love of Christ, families are drawn more deeply into the life of the parish, and every policy, program, and interaction reflects the teachings of the Catholic Church.

CATHOLIC IDENTITY & MISSION
• Ensure the Center's curriculum, environment, and daily rhythms are rooted in the Catholic faith, including age-appropriate prayer, exposure to Scripture and the liturgical year, and formation in Christian virtue.
• Model faithful Catholic witness in word and conduct; serve as the face of the parish to enrolled families, many of whom may be unchurched or new to the community.
• Partner with the Pastor and the Office of Lifelong Formation to connect Center families to the sacramental and communal life of St. Mark parish.
• Ensure all staff understand and support the Catholic mission of the Center and conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the teachings of the Church.
• Coordinate with the Diocese of Birmingham Catholic Schools Office on matters of Catholic identity, curriculum standards, and diocesan administrative requirements.

ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTIONS
• Direct the annual registration and enrollment cycle: establish and publicize registration dates to parishioners and the public, prepare registration materials, manage waitlists, and oversee class placements.
• Maintain accurate and complete student records, including enrollment agreements, health and immunization records, emergency contacts, authorized pick-up lists, and incident documentation.
• Maintain accurate attendance records for students and accurate records of work hours for all Center staff in the parish time-tracking system.
• Develop, maintain, and annually review the Center's Parent Handbook and Staff Handbook, ensuring alignment with parish and diocesan policy.
• Provide a written monthly report to the Director of Parish Operations covering enrollment, staffing, finances, facilities needs, and program developments.
• Manage family communications, including newsletters, closures and weather decisions, and the Center's presence within parish communication channels.

OPERATIONAL FUNCTIONS
• Oversee the daily operation of the Center across its full operating schedule, ensuring safe staffing coverage, appropriate teacher-to-child ratios, and orderly arrival, dismissal, and transition procedures.
• Recruit, hire, train, schedule, supervise, and evaluate teachers, assistants, and Nursery staff in coordination with parish HR processes; conduct regular staff meetings and annual performance reviews.
• Provide instructional leadership: suggest and demonstrate classroom activities and developmentally appropriate learning experiences; provide hands-on assistance to teachers before, during, and after class as needed.
• Provide ongoing training and professional development opportunities for teachers and assistants, including required safe environment and health/safety certifications.
• Coordinate with parish Facilities staff through MaintainX for classroom maintenance, repairs, playground safety, and room setup needs.
• Plan and execute Center events, family engagement activities, and community outreach that grow enrollment and strengthen the Center's presence among Birmingham families.
• Oversee Nursery operations during Masses, liturgies, and parish events, including staffing, scheduling, and safe check-in/check-out procedures.

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
• Prepare the Center's annual budget, including enrollment-based income projections and full program expenses, for review by the Director of Parish Operations and approval by the Pastor.
• Manage the Center's operations within the approved budget; monitor monthly actual-to-budget performance and explain variances in the monthly report.
• Set and administer tuition and fee schedules in consultation with parish leadership; oversee billing, collections, and delinquent account follow-up with charity and consistency.
• Approve and code Center expenditures in accordance with parish purchasing and Bill.com pre-approval policies; ensure accurate account coding of all Center income and expenses.
• Monitor enrollment capacity and utilization as the Center's primary financial lever; develop and execute plans to reach and sustain target enrollment.
• Support the parish's month-end close and annual audit by providing timely, accurate Center records and documentation.

COMPLIANCE & SAFE ENVIRONMENT
• Ensure the Center's full compliance with all applicable State of Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR) childcare requirements, including those governing church-affiliated programs, and manage any licensure or exemption filings, inspections, and reporting.
• Maintain compliance with all health, fire, and safety inspections and requirements applicable to the Center's facilities and operations.
• Ensure every staff member and volunteer completes and maintains current diocesan Safe Environment (VIRTUS) certification and background clearance before any contact with children; maintain complete safe environment records.
• Enforce the parish safe environment policy at all times, including supervision standards, two-adult rules, and visitor escort procedures.
• Serve as a mandatory reporter under Alabama law; ensure all staff are trained in mandatory reporting obligations and that any suspected abuse or neglect is reported immediately and properly.
• Maintain current CPR/First Aid certification for self and required staff; develop, post, and drill emergency procedures (fire, severe weather, lockdown, medical).
• Ensure compliance with all Diocese of Birmingham policies and the parish Employee Handbook.

QUALIFICATIONS
• Practicing Catholic in good standing with the Church, able to model and articulate the Catholic faith to children, families, and staff.
• Bachelor's degree required; degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Education, or a related field strongly preferred.
• Experience in early childhood education required; prior experience directing or administering an early learning program, preschool, or childcare center strongly preferred.
• Working knowledge of Alabama DHR childcare regulations and best practices in early childhood health, safety, and development.
• Demonstrated administrative and financial competence, including budgeting, record-keeping, and personnel supervision.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills; excellent oral and written communication skills; comfort with proactive outreach and event planning.
• Ability to relate to and work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds, generations, and cultures.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail; ability to work independently with minimal supervision as well as part of a team.
• Must complete diocesan Safe Environment (VIRTUS) training and background clearance prior to employment, and maintain certification throughout employment.

About the Employer

Saint Mark is a vibrant and welcoming Catholic parish community where faith comes alive through liturgy, service, and fellowship. We are committed to growing together in Christ and invite all to become active participants in the life of the Church. Whether you are drawn to liturgy, music, faith formation, outreach, or building meaningful community, there are many opportunities to get involved and find your place here.