Clinical Director of Learning and Belonging (LAB) School Experiences

Clinical Director of Learning and Belonging (LAB) School Experiences

Salary: $70,000.00 – $80,000.00 Annually
Location: Missoula Mountain Campus
Job Type: Contract Professional Full-time
Job Number: 202400617
Sector:
Department: College of Education, University of Montana
Closing Date:
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit:

Description

The University of Montana invites applications for a Clinical Director of Learning and Belonging (LAB) School Experiences. This senior, highly autonomous leadership role directs a complex, multi-mission unit that integrates early childhood education, educator preparation, research, and community engagement. The position requires a high degree of independence and professional judgment to balance regulatory compliance, instructional quality, clinical supervision, research stewardship, and family engagement within a university-affiliated laboratory school environment.

The Clinical Director holds full operational responsibility for the LAB School, including supervision and evaluation of professional staff and student employees; oversight of licensing, accreditation, and safety requirements; fiscal and enrollment management; and coordination with state agencies and accrediting bodies. The role also ensures that LAB School operations and instructional practices align with the strategic priorities of the Institute for Early Childhood Education and the Phyllis J. Washington College of Education.

Examples of Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership by aligning LAB School operations and initiatives with IECE priorities and serving on the Institute leadership team.
• Lead a high-quality, inclusive, play-based PK-early elementary program aligned with developmentally appropriate practice and state standards.
• Oversee curriculum implementation, instructional coherence, and continuous improvement through reflective practice and coaching.
• Direct clinical experiences for UM students, including coursework coordination, supervision, and alignment with accreditation and educator preparation goals.
• Manage daily operations, including enrollment, staffing, scheduling, facilities, licensing, and accreditation compliance.
• Supervise and evaluate staff while fostering an inclusive, relationship-centered culture for children and families.
• Coordinate research, partnerships, and grant activities to support instructional quality and educator learning.
• Lead fiscal planning and oversight, including budgeting, tuition management, payroll, purchasing, and financial compliance.

Minimum Qualifications

• A master’s degree in education, early childhood education, educational leadership, or a closely related field.
• A minimum of five (5) years of professional experience in early childhood or P-3 educational settings, including classroom teaching experience.
• Demonstrated supervisory and administrative experience, including responsibility for staff oversight, performance evaluation, and day-to-day program operations.
• Knowledge of developmentally appropriate, play-based, and inclusive instructional practices for young children.
• Knowledge of state and federal early childhood regulations, licensing requirements, and accreditation standards, or the ability to acquire such knowledge within a reasonable period of time.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex programs with multiple, intersecting responsibilities, including instructional leadership, compliance, and fiscal oversight.
• Demonstrated experience supporting, securing, or managing externally funded initiatives (e.g., grants, contracts, or foundation support), including coordination of programmatic or fiscal components.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, including the ability to prioritize tasks, manage competing demands, and meet regulatory and institutional deadlines.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage productively with families, staff, university faculty, students, administrators, and community partners.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment, discretion, and professional decision-making in situations with significant implications for children, families, staff, and the institution.
• Proficiency with common administrative and data systems (e.g., learning management systems, fiscal or reporting platforms) or the ability to learn institution-specific systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Doctoral degree or advanced graduate coursework in early childhood education, educational leadership, special education, or a related field.
• Experience in a university-affiliated laboratory school, clinical setting, or model demonstration site.
• Experience in administrative or leadership roles with responsibility for budgeting, fiscal oversight, and program sustainability.
• Experience supervising and mentoring educators, clinical staff, and university students in applied or field-based contexts.
• Experience supporting educator preparation, clinical instruction, or professional learning in partnership with higher education faculty.
• Familiarity with practice-embedded research, improvement science, or data-informed continuous improvement processes.
• Experience with Project-Based Learning and curriculum-based progress monitoring assessment systems.
• Experience working across systems (e.g., early childhood, K-12, higher education, community agencies) to align instructional practice, policy, and program goals.
• Demonstrated ability to contribute to grant-funded initiatives, reporting, or partnership development.
• Knowledge of Montana early childhood systems, licensing, accreditation, and P-3 frameworks.

Additional Information

Position is full-time, 1.0 FTE, MUS Contract and includes a comprehensive and competitive benefits package including insurance package, mandatory retirement plan, partial tuition waiver, and wellness program.

Screening of applications will begin after the closing date of March 23, 2026; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established. Complete applications received by the closing date will be guaranteed consideration.

To apply, please upload the following materials:

• Letter of Interest – addressing the stated required skills for the position
• Detailed resume listing education and describing work experience
• Three (3) professional references – Names and contact information

The University of Montana is interested in receiving applications from people who would assist the University in demonstrating its five priorities for action: Place student success at the center of all we do; drive excellence and innovation in teaching, learning, and research; embody the principle of “mission first, people always”; partner with place; and proudly tell the UM story.

The Affiliation of the University of Montana (UM Affiliation) is an equal opportunity employer. UM Affiliation does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of protected class status as described in UM’s non-discrimination policy and any applicable law. Reasonable accommodations are provided in the hiring process for persons with disabilities. For example, this material is available in alternative format upon request. Qualified candidates may request veterans’ or disabilities preference in accordance with state law.

Criminal Background Investigation is required prior to the offer of employment. In accordance with university regulations, finalists for this position will be subject to criminal background investigations.

References: References not listed on the application materials may be contacted; notice may be provided to the applicant. UM partners with SkillSurvey for reference checking. Applicants may receive emails from SkillSurvey to submit reference information.

Testing: Individual hiring departments within the UM Affiliation may elect to administer pre-employment tests, which are relevant to essential job functions.

Employment Eligibility: All New Employees must be eligible and show employment eligibility verification by the first date of employment at UM and all affiliated campuses, as legally required (e.g., Form I-9). The University of Montana will require proof of authorization to work in the United States before final hiring. Due to the September 19, 2025 Presidential Proclamation and related guidance from USCIS and the Department of State, the University may be limited in its ability to offer H-1B sponsorship. At this time, we are unable to sponsor new H-1B visas that require payment of the additional fee introduced by the Proclamation.

To apply, please visit https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/ummissoula/jobs/5258165/clinical-director-of-learning-and-belonging-lab-school-experiences

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