Nonotuck Community School seeks a collaborative and experienced leader to serve as Interim Director during a period of transition and opportunity. This role is designed to provide steady, strategic leadership, with a focus on fostering a positive school culture and improving daily operations. The position is open immediately and is anticipated to be in place for approximately 6 months, until at least October 2026. Candidates may be interested in serving solely in an interim capacity or may also wish to be considered for the permanent Director role in the future. This position is full-time, with flexibility for the right candidate.
About Nonotuck Community School
Nonotuck Community School is a full-time, year-round, licensed early education and child care center with five classrooms. We care for children 15 months to 6 years old in an environment that promotes self-esteem, creative thinking, and individuality through a respectful partnership between children, parents, and teachers. We prioritize children’s social-emotional well-being and believe that human connection is the core of healthy development. At Nonotuck children are the curriculum. We believe that authentic learning comes through free play and exploration, and children are prepared to be active learners at Nonotuck through an emergent, child-centered curriculum. We emphasize the concept of community and teach children to celebrate their connections to one another. Nonotuck is a unique community made up of a parent cooperative and a teachers union. Families share ownership of the school and steward the organization and facilities through board roles and other co-op jobs. The cooperative provides every family with the opportunity to participate in their child’s education and shape the learning environment.
Position Summary
The Interim Director will serve as a key leader within the school community - supervising and supporting staff while collaborating with multiple stakeholders to strengthen the school’s programming and operations. This position reports to the Board of Directors.
Key Responsibilities:
School Leadership, Compliance, and Communication
- Oversee and maintain high quality early childhood education and programming, building on Nonotuck’s 50-year history of cultivating an environment of child-led emergent curriculum and community-centered care.
- Ensure compliance with all state (EEC) and federal regulations and licensing requirements.
- Establish and maintain regular communications with the full community, including parents/caregivers, teachers, and board of directors, including providing monthly updates on operations (such as staffing and enrollment) and strategic initiatives.
- Oversee recruitment and enrollment for new families, and work with caregivers and board members to welcome new families to the school community.
Staff Oversight & Support
- Oversee and supervise Nonotuck’s team of dedicated teachers according to the union’s collective bargaining agreement. Provide ongoing feedback, professional development, and opportunities for growth to a diverse group of teachers at varying stages of their professional careers.
- Work with the Assistant Director and board of directors to hire and onboard teachers as needed.
- Collaborate with the Assistant Director to set staff schedules and ensure smooth daily operations, ensuring daily staffing coverage fits EEC standards. May include time in the classroom when short-staffed.
- Foster a positive workplace culture for all staff, including maintaining open lines of communication, implementing regular staff meetings, and providing mentorship for teachers to support professional and personal growth.
- Serve as the main point of contact for the teachers union (UAW Local 2322), maintaining quarterly meetings and other communications as needed to promote a positive working relationship with the union.
Administration & Finance
- Develop and oversee the annual operating budget in partnership with the board of directors.
- Oversee administrative operations, including supervising other administrative staff and bookkeeper, reviewing monthly financial reports, and reporting to the board.
Compensation:
Compensation is negotiable based on experience and qualifications. Potential salary range: $37,000 – $47,500 for 6 months (based on $75K–$90K annual equivalent) for a full-time benefited employee.
Potential benefits package available (depending on compensation structure):
- Health insurance (85% employer contribution)
- Dental insurance (50% employer contribution)
- 2% employer contribution to Simple IRA
- Generous PTO, including paid sick time, vacation time, and personal time
Key Skills:
- Proven commitment to education, community building, and families with young children ● Strong leadership, team-building, mentorship, and conflict resolution skills ● Ability to plan and execute professional development for early childhood educators ● Creative problem solving and community building skills
- Excellent interpersonal skills to ensure effective, professional, and responsive communication with all stakeholders during a time of organizational transition ● Ability to give and receive feedback from a diverse group of stakeholders that includes teachers and families with young children
- Strong collaboration skills to engage staff and families in strengthening school culture, programming, and operations
- Budget/financial management skills preferred
- Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion
Qualifications*:
- 5+ years of experience in an educational or related setting (early education preferred) ● Demonstrated organizational leadership ability, including the ability to supervise, coach, evaluate, and support teachers and staff
- EEC Director I or Director II Certification strongly preferred (employment of candidates without Director certification will require EEC waiver)
- Bachelor’s degree (education or a related field strongly preferred)
- Ability to ensure the school’s compliance with all EEC licensing regulations and early childhood best practices (in-depth knowledge of these areas strongly preferred)
- CPR and First Aid Certification (or ability to obtain as soon as possible after hire)
- Ability to pass background checks and meet all EEC regulatory requirements
- Experience working in or with a unionized workforce preferred
To apply, please send your resume and a cover letter, including information that supports any alternative qualifications you may have that are relevant to this position.
*If you do not meet all listed qualifications but believe your experience, education, or training provides an equivalent foundation for success in the role, we strongly encourage you to apply and explain why you believe your unique experience qualifies you for the role.
Nonotuck Community School is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, nation origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Pay: $75,000.00 - $90,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
Education:
License/Certification:
- EEC Director I or Director II Certification? (Preferred)
Ability to Commute:
- Florence, MA 01062 (Required)
Work Location: In person