Director, Auburn University Early Learning Center (Faculty)

Job Description

Overview

The Director of the Auburn University Early Learning Center (ELC) leads a nationally accredited early childhood education program, serving children from ages 2 – 5. This role is responsible for the overall management, educational leadership, staff development, research coordination, and community outreach of the Center. The Director reports to the Head of the Department of Human Development and Family Science at Auburn University.

POSITION: Nine-month non-tenure-track faculty position and not eligible for tenure, full-time Director, Auburn University Early Learning Center, with the Department of Human Development and Family Science, College of Human Sciences, beginning August 1, 2026.

THE DEPARTMENT: The Department includes 32 faculty members (17 full-time, tenure-track and 15 non-tenure track focused on teaching, research or outreach work), 300 undergraduates, and 60 graduate students and offers undergraduate, masters, and doctoral degrees. It also administers Auburn University Marriage and Family Therapy Center which also houses the MS, Marriage and Family Therapy program; the Auburn University Early Learning Center; the Harris Early Learning Center in Birmingham, AL; and the Family Child Care Partnerships program.

THE UNIVERSITY: Auburn University is a land-grant institution with a multicultural student enrollment of over 26,000. The University provides instruction in approximately 70 academic departments and maintains graduate research and public service programs. The University is located in the city of Auburn in east-central Alabama near several large metropolitan areas of Alabama and Georgia. To learn more about Auburn University, visit http://www.auburn.edu/academic/provost/facultyjobs/. Auburn University is understanding of and sensitive to the family needs of faculty, including dual-career couples.

Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

Administrative Leadership

• Manage a National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)-accredited early care and education program for approximately 45 children.
• Supervise ELC teaching and support staff.
• Oversee daily operations, staffing, client (child/family) relations, enrollment and tuition management and facility management.
• Provide feedback to department head for annual employee evaluations.
• Maintain NAEYC accreditation standards and other measures of quality.
• Maintain Department of Human Resources (DHR) licensure standards.
• Work with College of Human Sciences Advancement office to seek additional external funding sources to support the work of the Center.
• Maintain policies and procedures for health and safety of the students and staff.
• Maintain required staff and university student records.
• Participate in budget management for the ELC alongside the department head.

Educational & Instructional Duties

• Communicate and train staff on developmentally appropriate practices, NAEYC standards, and state regulations.
• Attend relevant training and professional conferences and remain current in best practices for early child education.
• Oversee placement and supervision of undergraduate and graduate students for observation, practicum, and internships.
• Provide orientation, training, and guest lectures for university students.
• Attend faculty meetings.
• Participate in the evaluation of students engaged in Center activities.
• Serve as faculty of record for appropriate Human Development and Family Science courses as assigned.

Service, Outreach, & Research

• Represent the Center, the Department of Human Development and Family Science, the College of Human Sciences, and Auburn University with the local and state early childhood education community.
• Coordinate special projects and events (e.g., parent seminars, Week of the Young Child, etc.).
• Foster partnerships with corporate sponsors, community stakeholders, and educational agencies.

Facilitate research conducted at the Center by Auburn University and/or other institutions’ faculty and collaborators.

Qualifications

• Master’s or Doctoral degree in Human Development and Family Science, Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a closely related field at the time employment begins.
• Experience directing an early learning center and supervising center employees.
• Theoretical and substantive knowledge of child development and guidance principles, with the ability to model these for students and teachers.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• The candidate selected for this position must also be able to meet eligibility requirements to work in the United States at the time appointment is scheduled to begin and continue working legally for the proposed term of employment.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience administering NAEYC-accredited early learning center and laboratory.
• Experience teaching and supervising undergraduate and graduate students.
• Active membership in the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

Apply on-line using the link: jobs.auburn.edu

Provide application letter, complete CV, transcripts from all universities attended, statement regarding leadership vision, and three (3) professional references (names, email addresses, and phone numbers). Only complete online applications will be considered. Review will begin June 29, 2026, and will continue until a candidate is recommended for hire. For more information about the position, contact: Emily Cumbie, Chair- Search Committee, at cumbieh@auburn.edu.

Contract Type
Continuing