Job Purpose

Under the direction of the Open Sky Education Regional Executive Director - Arizona, the Area Manager - Compass Educational Programs is responsible for leading Compass AZ programming and team. The current Compass team consists of eighteen (18) team members, including 1 Area Manager, 2 Site Director II, 3 Sr. Group Leader, 5 Group Leaders, 3 Pre-K Teachers, and 4 Pre-K Assistants.

In addition, this position will lead developing a new vision and strategy to strengthen our faith-based educational pillar in the Arizona region and executing the plan to transition current programming to the future vision. This future vision may include new program offerings and partnerships. This leader will evaluate current school family and scholar faith needs as well as local faith communities and resources. Using this context, they will facilitate a process for Open Sky Education and the Arizona region to develop a compelling future vision, strategy, and implementation plan. This role is a critical part of our Open Sky Education strategic plans and the health of our Arizona region to effectively deploy all three pillars of our mission.

Essential Responsibilities and Competencies

Regional Compass Operational Leadership

• Consistently executes plans that align with Compass Educational Programs’ mission of serving families and children in a Christian environment, organizational values and beliefs, policies and local and national standards
• Establishes annual departmental goals within context of program goals and vision and ensure direct reports attain those goals
• Recruit, hire, train, evaluate, and directly supervise Site Directors; provide indirect leadership support to all other Compass team members.
• Ensures Site Directors and Group Leaders instruct children using developmentally appropriate practices while consistently and effectively utilizing Compass Education Model curriculum and strategies
• Conducts financial analysis of program results, evaluates, assess and determines course of action with supervisor, meets budgetary expectations
• Leads regional marketing and outreach strategy; coordinates with each site to execute program outreach and recruiting of families and builds relationships with prospective and currently enrolled families and community leaders
• Ensures compliance with all federal, state, and local laws, as well as organizational policies and procedures
• Evaluate and implement continuous improvement activities in areas of programming, marketing, enrollment, recruitment, and financial management.
• Oversees operational metric analysis and reporting.
• Partners with Regional Executive Director to conduct Quality Checklists, ProCare and COMPASS audits
• Has a thorough understanding of Character Formation Project and models implementation within the program
• Articulates and promotes the importance of early childhood education (ECE) in child’s development
• Stays abreast of regulatory changes impacting the delivery of ECE and before/after care programs
• Develops and maintains good working relationships with state licensing authorities, community contacts, EAGLE school administration and Open Sky Education’s national team.

Future Visionary and Strategic Leadership

• Seeks out and builds strategic relationships with partners in the faith community
• Research innovations in faith programming and identifies opportunities to strengthen Compass program.
• Working with the Regional Executive Director and other team members, develops a vision and strategy for the Christian faith pillar.
• Develops and leads a plan to transition from current programming to future programming vision, managing risk, change management, and outcomes.
• Lives and acts as a biblical role model and Compass Educational Programs representative in his/her life for our scholars, team members and community
• Agrees to comply at all times with our Code of Conduct and Statement of Faith
• Agrees to engage in the faith life of our scholars and in collaboration with other team members
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as requested or required

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Theology, Ministry, Education, Human Services, or related field from an accredited institution
• At least 3 years of experience in a faith-based role or organization
• State Child Care license for 100+ children
• At least two years of childcare experience in a licensed facility, Christian environment preferred
• One or more years of experience managing non-exempt employees, quality control, and finances in service industry preferred (children’s education, care, development preferred)
• Budget and financial accountability and revenue-generation experience preferred
• Proficient computer skills and knowledge of MS Word, Excel PowerPoint, and Outlook
• Minimum 21 years of age due to licensing requirements

Personal Qualities

Embodies the Culture and Values

• Promotes and delivers an educational environment for all students that is Christ-centered
• A champion that advances OSE’s model for a full and lasting education that is accessible and affordable to all children through world-class academics, character formation, and faith-based educational choices
• Demonstrates Open Sky Education’s five pillars of Loving, Learning, Leading, Lasting, and Laughing, and promotes those values through team members in our Christian organization

Exceptional Servant Leadership

• The traits of a servant and humble leader
• Communicates a clear and compelling vision and strategy for the Christian faith pillar of the organization and the Arizona region, and inspires others to act in accordance
• Builds effective teams by hiring mission aligned team members and creates the opportunity to develop each team member and proactively builds bench strength; holds individuals accountable for their performance as indicated by effective individual performance management

Energized by building a vision and bringing that vision to life

• Passionate in serving youth; proven experience in youth programming and positive outcomes
• Stays connected with the emerging faith eco-system and innovations; is curious and inquisitive.
• Has the entrepreneurial drive and creativity to help the organization create a compelling vision for our faith pillar in Arizona without limitations.
• Is equally skilled at taking a vision, developing a strategy and plan, and activating the organization and team to bring that plan to fruition.
• Has the foresight to build sustainable and scalable programming and systems.
• Is passionate about both the mission work and the operational work; is able to effectively capitalize on both.

Builds Authentic Relationships

• Establishes authentic relationships and communications with national and regional leaders, school leaders, team members, families and scholars.
• Has a deep understanding of the Phoenix region faith-based centers of influence and can build meaningful relationships within the community to enhance our scholar, family, and team member offerings.

Demonstrates Mission Aligned Personal Qualities

• Embodies and promotes Christ-centered, caring, and committed organizational norms, core values, and beliefs.
• Can effectively work independently in the faith-based community while creating appropriate connections across the Open Sky Education network and communities we serve.
• Demonstrates strong interpersonal skills and develops positive relationships among all constituencies while displaying warmth, good humor, and compassion for others
• Focuses on effective communication, listening closely, speaking and writing with a high degree of skill, and employing a variety of methods to reach all constituencies
• Exhibits a balance between self-confidence and humility; acts decisively, listens carefully before making a decision
• Able to adapt and be resilient to changing conditions and handles crisis effectively
• Must be able to lift a minimum of 40 pounds
• Must be able to travel between multiple locations as needed to support site needs

An individual in this position must be able to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities listed above. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.