LOCATION: Kitchener-Waterloo, ON

KW Habilitation is a local not-for-profit organization that provides a wide range of individualized services and supports to children with any special need and adults with developmental disabilities. We support individuals to live a fulfilling life which is fostered through preschool and early learning supports, respite services, residential services, community participation, and employment supports.

The Associate Director of Early Learning and Child Development is responsible for the developmental and overall management of supports to children with needs in early learning , child care, and the infant child development program (ICDP) in the Region of Waterloo. The Associate Director will ensure that services are delivered within the context of the values and policies of KW Habilitation, inclusive child care and early learning best practices, expectations defined by the Region of Waterloo and any applicable legislation. The Associate Director of Early Learning and Child Development will be an accomplished leader who brings expertise in infant and child development, can foster collaborative and effective working relationships with families, child care professionals, community partner organizations and funder

Responsibilities

• Participate as a collaborative member of the senior management team, and at the invitation of the Board of Directors, in the strategic planning process of the organization

• Identify, assess, and inform the CEO of internal or external issues or trends that will impact the delivery of the Early Learning, Child Care, ICDP and Family Resources of KW Habilitation

• As part of the overall operational management process of KW Habilitation, develop an operational plan for Early Learning, Child Care and Family Resources in collaboration with the CEO that identifies
  goals, indicators of success, activities to achieve goals and responsibility and timeframe for implementation.

• Work with funders and partners to ensure programs run smoothly, reporting STATS and working with the SNRC workplan

• Represent KW Habilitation at community initiatives, events, and on professional or community committees and task forces to enhance the profile of Early Learning and Child Development and advance organizational priorities.

• Represent KW Habilitation at community initiatives, events, and on professional or community committees and task forces to enhance the profile of Early Learning and Child Development and advance organizational priorities

• Work with funders and partners to ensure programs run smoothly, reporting STATS and working with the SNRC workplan

• Oversee the planning, implementation, execution and evaluation of any assigned special projects

• Conduct performance evaluations and provide ongoing supervision to the management team of Early Learning and Child Development

• Prepare the program budget in consultation with the senior management team of KW Habilitation with collaboration from the Region

Requirements

• Post-Second Education in Early Learning/Child Development or related field with extensive experience.
• Five (5) years direct experience in children’s services
• Three (3) years leadership experience
• Excellent working knowledge of the Child Care and Early Years Act 2014 (CCEYA), Province of Ontario, and the Child and Family Services Act (CFSA), Province of Ontario, and the Education Act, Province of Ontario
• National, Provincial and Regional perspective of the inclusive early learning and child care principles and best practices
• Knowledge of family-centred approaches to service delivery.
• Excellent planning and organizational skills
• Well developed written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to direct and develop performance of self and others to achieve results
• Good self-management as well as team building skills
• Tact, diplomacy, and effective interpersonal skills
• Mediation and conflict resolution skills
• Organization, time management and Resourcefulness
• Ability to manage and implement allocated funding
• Flexibility and capacity to adapt to change
• Self-motivated, results oriented professional
• Proficient in computer programs to support the functions of the position

Hours: 40 hours/week – Flexible (some evening and weekend work required)

Start Date: December 2025

Applicants must submit a résumé and cover letter online with a summary of relevant qualifications and reason for interest in this position by Sunday October 26, 2025. To Apply, Please Visit Our Job Application Page

Only successful applicants will be notified. If you are selected for an interview, you will be contacted.

Job ID: 251026106

KW Habilitation is committed to employment equity. We encourage applications from all qualified candidates including, 2SLGBTQ+ identified persons, persons with disabilities, First Nations, Inuit and Métis Individuals, and members of Black and other racialized communities, and individuals for whom English is not their first language. We seek to provide accessibility for all applicants with our accessibility policies and the AODA. Please let us know if you require an accommodation and we will work with you to meet your accessibility needs. We thank all applicants; however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.