Full-Time Senior Staff Position
About Our Community
Main Line Reform Temple is a vibrant, welcoming Reform synagogue on Pennsylvania’s Main Line. Our Early Childhood Education Center serves children from infancy through pre-kindergarten in a play-based, relationship-centered environment grounded in Reform Jewish values, curiosity, creativity, and a deep sense of community.
We are seeking a warm, visionary, and experienced Early Childhood Education Director to lead this beloved program — someone who will inspire our educators, nurture our youngest families, and help weave early childhood into the fabric of synagogue life.
Our Star 2 Keystone Star program has approximately 150 students and 40 staff members. We run ECE classes from early September through mid-June and an 8-week summer camp program.
Position Overview
The Early Childhood Education Director is a key member of the synagogue’s senior leadership team and reports directly to the Executive Director. Working in close partnership with the Executive Director, Director of Education, clergy, and professional staff, the Director provides visionary leadership for all aspects of the Early Childhood Education Department.
This role is responsible for fostering a nurturing, developmentally appropriate, and Jewishly enriching environment where children, families, and educators thrive. Beyond overseeing the daily operations of a high-quality early childhood program, the Director serves as a bridge between the school and the broader synagogue community, creating meaningful opportunities for engagement, relationship-building, and lifelong Jewish connection. Through collaboration, innovation, and strategic leadership, the Director helps ensure that families with young children feel welcomed, supported, and integrated into the life of the congregation.
Key Responsibilities
Educational & Program Leadership
- Provide strategic educational and administrative leadership for the Early Childhood Center.
- Develop and implement a curriculum that reflects best practices in early childhood education and is deeply grounded in Jewish holidays, values, and traditions.
- Foster a nurturing, developmentally appropriate, and inclusive learning environment for all children and families.
- Lead family programs, holiday celebrations, and special community events with our clergy team.
- Work with senior staff to envision and plan for the evolving use of synagogue facilities to meet the needs of a growing and changing ECE community.
Staff Supervision & Development
- Recruit, supervise, mentor, and evaluate teaching staff.
- Foster a collaborative, supportive professional culture through ongoing coaching and professional development.
- Build and sustain a strong, motivated team committed to educational excellence and our Jewish community.
Operations & Compliance
- Manage daily school operations, including staffing, scheduling, and communication.
- Ensure full compliance with Pennsylvania licensing regulations, health, and safety protocols.
- Develop and oversee operational planning and budget management in collaboration with synagogue lay and professional leadership.
Family & Community Engagement
- Build strong, trusting relationships with parents and caregivers through transparent and responsive communication and in-person meetings.
- Serve as a liaison between the Early Childhood Education Department and the larger synagogue community, fostering connections and collaboration across departments.
- Maintain direct, consistent lines of communication between the ECE department and parents to ensure transparency and trust.
- Lead enrollment, recruitment, and retention efforts, including prospective family tours and outreach.
- Partner with synagogue leadership to connect young families with the broader synagogue community and Jewish lifecycle.
Qualifications
Required
- Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Jewish Education or a closely related field
- Deep knowledge of child development and early childhood best practices
- Demonstrated experience supervising and mentoring educators
- Excellent organizational, interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills
- Familiarity with Pennsylvania childcare licensing regulations and compliance requirements
- Commitment to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all families
- Genuine appreciation for Reform Judaism and the ability to integrate Jewish values and traditions into school culture
Preferred
- Master's degree in Early Childhood Education, Jewish Education, or a related field
- Minimum of 7–10 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in an early childhood setting
- Experience working as an Early Childhood Director in a synagogue, Jewish day school, or Jewish community setting
- Familiarity with Reform Jewish practice, lifecycle, and culture
The Ideal Candidate
We are seeking someone who is:
- A collaborative, compassionate leader who earns trust from families, staff, and synagogue leadership
- Energetic, creative, and deeply relationship-oriented
- Passionate about early childhood education and the role it plays in building Jewish community
- Comfortable balancing educational vision with the realities of operational management
- Skilled at communicating with warmth, clarity, and professionalism across a diverse community
- Genuinely excited to be part of a synagogue environment and connect families to Jewish life
- Able to effectively guide faculty and administrative staff to reach their full potential
Compensation & Benefits
Main Line Reform Temple offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience, along with a comprehensive benefits package that includes:
- Paid time off and holidays
- Ongoing professional development opportunities and support
- Synagogue membership benefits
- A warm, mission-driven workplace community
How to Apply
To apply, please submit a resume and cover letter describing your relevant experience and your vision for early childhood Jewish education to:
[email protected]
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We encourage interested candidates to apply promptly.
Main Line Reform Temple is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion.