Senior Program Manager (RECE)Permanent Full-Time Annual Salary: $95000$110000Join a team of passionate educators and leaders who are pioneers in their field contributing to our 35year reputation as leaders of highquality early learning and child care. At Umbrella Family youre not just supported youre empowered. Youll join a collaborative reflective and valuesdriven organization where your leadership shapes programs people and the future of child care across Hamilton.
Stepping into this Senior Program Manager role means making a meaningful impact during childrens formative years while influencing the growth quality and strategic direction of a dynamic multisite organization.
Umbrella Family and Child Centres of Hamilton operates fullday early learning and child care centres for infant toddler and preschool children as well as extended day programs before and after school for kindergarten and schoolage children throughout the Greater Hamilton Area.
We are currently recruiting for an experienced strategic and pedagogically grounded Senior Program Manager (RECE
) to join our Leadership Team.
As a large multisite licensed childcare organization operating within HWDSB schools Umbrella Family is committed to delivering highquality early learning programs grounded in
How Does Learning Happen relationshipbased practice and Reggio Emiliainspired pedagogy.
Reporting to the Senior Director of Childcare Programs the Senior Program Manager provides elevated operational pedagogical and people leadership across multiple child care locations. This role requires a seasoned leader with strong business acumen strategic thinking and the ability to lead organizational initiatives mentor leaders and ensure excellence in program quality and service delivery.
Key ResponsibilitiesStrategic & Organizational Leadership- Serve as the primary operational backup to the Senior Director of Childcare Programs ensuring continuity of leadership and decisionmaking.
- Lead organizationwide initiatives pilot projects and strategic change efforts that strengthen program quality operational efficiency and organizational readiness.
- Support multiyear operational planning sector strategies and organizational priorities.
- Represent Umbrella Family with HWDSB the Ministry of Education the College of Early Childhood Educators and sector committees.
Operational & Program Leadership- Provide leadership mentorship coaching and performance management to Supervisors and program teams across multiple sites.
- Oversee complex operational matters including licensing compliance serious occurrences investigations and highrisk situations.
- Lead the planning development and opening of new child care centres and program expansions.
- Analyze operational needs and implement strategies that support organizational effectiveness service quality and continuous improvement.
Pedagogical Leadership- Ensure program quality and pedagogical alignment with How Does Learning Happen relationshipbased practice and Reggioinspired approaches.
- Provide advanced pedagogical guidance to Supervisors and educators strengthening reflective practice and documentation.
Business & Financial Leadership- Support financial accountability through budgeting forecasting enrollment management occupancy planning and resource allocation.
- Monitor performance outcomes and indicators of success across programs identifying variances and implementing corrective actions.
People Leadership & Coaching- Build leadership capacity across the Programs Department through strategic coaching knowledge sharing and implementation of best practices.
- Foster a collaborative inclusive and learningfocused workplace culture.
- Lead teams through organizational change growth and evolving sector expectations.
Partnerships & Community Relations- Build strong relationships with families school partners community stakeholders and internal leadership teams.
- Lead resolution of escalated partnership issues and ensure compliance with sector expectations.
Qualifications- Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE) in good standing with the College of Early Childhood Educators.
- Twelve (12) years of progressive experience in licensed child care including a minimum of five (5) years in multisite leadership.
- Demonstrated experience leading organizationalwide initiatives strategic projects pilot programs and change management efforts across multiple locations.
- Proven ability to step into senior leadership responsibilities including acting as a backup to a Directorlevel role and supporting organizational decisionmaking.
- Demonstrated experience opening new childcare centres and/or leading major program expansions.
- Strong business and operational acumen including budgeting forecasting risk management and strategic planning.
- Indepth knowledge of the CCEYA CWELCC How Does Learning Happen and responsive relationshipbased pedagogy.
- Advanced leadership skills with a proven ability to coach mentor and develop leaders across a large multisite organization.
- Demonstrated ability to lead complex investigations serious occurrences and highrisk operational situations.
- Experience working within notforprofit and/or unionized environments is considered an asset.
- Valid drivers license and reliable vehicle required.
- A satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Check and current Standard First Aid/CPR certification are required.
Why Join Umbrella FamilyUmbrella Family offers a supportive collaborative and valuesdriven work environment committed to leadership development diversity belonging and continuous learning.
We offer:
- Competitive compensation and benefits package
- Defined Benefit pension plan with employer matching
- Generous paid vacation and sick time
- Employee Assistance Program
- Professional learning leadership development and sectorspecific training opportunities
Commitment to AccessibilityUmbrella Family is committed to providing accommodations in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Please let us know if you require accommodations during the hiring process.
Recruitment Process DisclosureThis organization does not use artificial intelligence (AI) systems or automated decisionmaking technologies in the screening assessment or selection of applicants for employment. All applications are evaluated exclusively through a human review process conducted by Human Resources personnel and hiring managers.
This job posting is for an existing vacancy within the organization.
Required Experience:
Senior Manager
Employment Type : Full-Time
Experience: years
Vacancy: 1
Monthly Salary Salary: 95000 - 110000