Primary Function: Oversees the day-to-day operations of the UNI Child Development Center (CDC), providing leadership in family engagement, enrollment processes, communication, and support for children’s care, health, and well-being; collaborates in the development and implementation of the CDC’s educational standards, goals, policies, and procedures; ensures compliance with state and federal regulations, national accreditation standards, and all reporting and documentation requirements; manages the CDC’s operating budget and related financial accounts, including grants and contracts, to ensure fiscal sustainability; leads the development of programmatic and revenue-generating initiatives and serves as a liaison among UNI faculty, administration, staff, and community partners to support teaching, research, and field placements; hires, supervises, evaluates, and provides professional development for staff and student employees; and evaluates program effectiveness annually to measure progress toward UNI and state goals.

Required Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, business, family consumer science, or related field; at least three years of experience in administering a licensed early childhood program; current certifications in infant/child CPR, First Aid, Mandatory Reporter, and OSHA or ability to become certified within two months of hire; strong working knowledge of child development and developmentally appropriate practices; commitment to the needs of all children in an educational environment; and excellent written and verbal communication skills required.

Preferred Qualifications: Master’s degree; experience with NAEYC accreditation process or Iowa’s Quality Rating System (QRS) requirements; and knowledge of business operations and Iowa DHHS licensing regulations preferred.

Application Instructions: All application materials received by May 25, 2026, will be given full consideration. To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. The following materials must be attached when applying:
1) Resume
2) Cover Letter

You will be presented with the opportunity to attach multiple documents when completing the application. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL required materials listed above have been uploaded. Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes. If you have questions regarding this application process, please email careers-support@uni.edu or call 319-273-2422.

UNI is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. The University encourages applications from persons of color, women, individuals living with disabilities, and protected veterans. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, creed, disability, ethnicity, genetic information, marital status, national origin, political affiliation, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, or on any other basis protected by federal and/or state law.

The University offers an excellent benefits package including a vacation plan, employer sponsored retirement plans, health and dental insurance, and life and disability insurance. Benefits package details can be viewed at https://careers.uni.edu/benefits. Application materials received by 05/25/2026 will be given first consideration. For more information or to apply, visit https://careers.uni.edu/. Criminal and other relevant background checks required. UNI is a tobacco free campus.

About University of Northern Iowa

UNI at a Glance Founded: 1876 Location: Cedar Falls, IA Enrollment: More than 9,000 students School colors: Purple & Gold As one of Iowa’s three public universities, the University of Northern Iowa is known for designing robust and practical learning experiences — the kind that gives our students the career edge they need in fields like education and business. But most importantly, we're passionate about our students. With over 90 degree programs and a community of supportive faculty, we’re here to help you chase your dreams. With a vibrant campus community and endless opportunities to explore, we promise to keep things interesting along the way. About the University of Northern Iowa The University of Northern Iowa provides a high-quality and diverse educational experience, purposefully guiding students to find and develop their strengths and prepare them for success after college. Building on its historic excellence in teacher education, the university has developed outstanding programs in business, natural sciences, humanities and fine arts, and social and behavioral sciences with advanced degrees available in many programs. UNI is nestled in the middle of the v...ibrant Cedar Valley, an area that offers the perfect combination of history, culture and technology, and a community of people who treat each other like family. Whether it’s our hospitality or one-of-a-kind shops, attractions and events, you’ll love visiting Cedar Falls with your family and friends. You won’t just enjoy visiting the Cedar Valley, but you’ll love living here, too. Nationally Recognized Programs UNI offers a wide range of strong programs, each with benefits that fit their field. From more tailored offerings, such as the CIDA accredited Interior Design and Material Science Engineering Technology majors, to programs focused on industry need and future growth like Communications Sciences & Disorders and the new Bachelors of Science in Nursing, the programs are designed to forward facing and meet the needs of students and the world they’ll enter into post-graduation. The Accounting program, one of several AACSB accredited business programs, provides students with a smooth transition from their BA to their MBA and courses that have proven successful with CPA passing rates well above the national and state averages. Watch for updates of more programs being made available to placebound and online students through the business landing page: https://business.uni.edu/ Founded as a teacher’s college, UNI’s roots are deep and thriving with the College of Education. Elementary Education comes in as the largest major with 1 in every 10 students declaring it. The program’s success is not just enrollment based, they provide a wide range of endorsements and secondary education majors to expand the licensures of our graduates. Each student graduates with over 725 hours of classroom experience before graduation, successfully spreading their passion across the state as we have teachers placed in every Iowa county. https://coe.uni.edu/ Both the Theatre program and School of Music offer students with hands-on access to state-of- the-art facilities and equipment to prepare them for future success. Partnerships expand their opportunities and campus performances boost their resume experience. Both accredited programs, NAST/NASM, give students experiences to be involved on stage and behind the scenes to accommodate all areas of passion and professional pursuit. https://music.uni.edu/ https://chas.uni.edu/theatre A Great Place to Live Where else can you find the perfect combination of history, culture, technology and a community of people who will treat you like family? UNI is located in picturesque Cedar Falls, Iowa, a riverfront town with many recreational, cultural and entertainment opportunities. Downtown Cedar Falls was previously named one of the "30 Most Charming College Town Main Streets" by Best Value Schools. The metro community of Cedar Falls/Waterloo has a combined population of 170,000 and offers a pleasant residential setting with a strong and growing industrial base. Cedar Falls is a friendly, affordable community located about 300 miles from Minneapolis, St. Louis, Kansas City and Chicago. In Cedar Falls and Waterloo (known as the Cedar Valley), you can visit the past by strolling through structures listed with the National Historic Registry, attend a lecture at the University of Northern Iowa or catch a traveling Broadway show at the Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center. Browse the shops and boutiques on College Hill and downtown Cedar Falls, keep in shape by traveling the miles of bike trails, enjoy the Grout Museum's many exhibits, or catch an exciting minor league hockey match or baseball game. A Great Place to Work We believe every position is vital to the university’s success; from maintaining campus facilities and grounds to leading a classroom, every employee makes a difference. With an enrollment of more than 9,000 students, faculty and staff enjoy a similar environment as our students - a large university environment with a small college atmosphere - where they can stand out and excel. A few of the recurring recognitions we take pride in include the U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Midwest Universities” and recognition as a Best Place for Working Parents employer. The American Association for State Colleges and Universities recognized UNI with two national awards: The Excellence and Innovation Award for UNI’s Course Embedded Peer Mentor Program and the Regional and Economic Development Award for UNI’s Regional Entrepreneurship Project that has positively impacted 17 Iowa counties in five economically challenged regions. The work done on campus has a positive impact not only on our local community, but across the state and beyond.

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