Executive Director

Description:

Brooklyn Kindergarten Society Seeks Executive Director

Brooklyn Kindergarten Society (BKS) strives to stop the cycle of poverty where it does the most harm—in early childhood. Two of every three children who enter BKS centers test “at-risk” for developmental delays. BKS reverses this delay. Nine out of ten children who complete the BKS program test on par with or better than their peers across all socio-economic groups.

For more than 125 years, as communities have evolved and the landscape has changed, BKS has worked consistently to ensure that children from low-income families receive quality education in a nurturing environment that cultivates the skills they need to succeed in kindergarten and beyond. As a matter of compassion, justice and solid public policy, BKS believes that every child deserves a high-quality education, an enriching environment, and the opportunity to fulfill his or her potential.

The new strategic plan calls for adding programs and services both before and beyond the pre-school years.

The BKS early childhood learning centers are located in public housing in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Crown Heights, and Brownsville, and, each year, serve nearly 400 children and their families. Additionally, programs take place at the Weeksville Community Center.

BKS children receive full-day educational classes with evidence-based, age-appropriate curricula and enrichment programs. BKS provides a quality of care and education that children from low-income families rarely receive.

Beyond educational excellence, engaging classrooms and enriching activities, BKS provides family services and support. BKS centers operate 12 months a year, 10 hours a day. The city relies heavily on organizations like BKS to make wider access to preschool available.

BKS has a $7 mm budget.

Responsibilities:

About the Opportunity to become Executive Director (ED)

BKS engages with clients, community residents, and policymakers to better serve Brooklyn and enhance educational attainment for all children.
Candidates should have a demonstrated commitment to early childhood education (ECE); opportunity for all children; and the mission, purpose, and values of BKS.

Reporting to the Board, the ED is responsible for leading a community-based nonprofit organization that serves children ages 2-4 and their families. The ED will be supported by a team that includes a Deputy Director; a Director of Education and Research; the Center Directors as well as Directors of Finance, Development, and HR/Administration. The ED is responsible for nurturing relationships with the Board, staff, families, policymakers and funders-including government.

The ideal candidate will be an innovative leader as well as an effective manager. He or she will be charged with executing on BKS’s strategic plan; engaging, informing, and collaborating with the Board; representing BKS; and increasing private fundraising.

Qualifications: