Working/Functional Title
CDL Assistant Director
Position Summary
Michigan State University actively promotes a dynamic research and learning environment in which qualified individuals of differing perspectives, and cultural backgrounds pursue academic goals with mutual respect and shared inquiry.
The Child Development Laboratory (CDL) serves children and families by providing a play-based and developmentally appropriate curriculum designed to promote the development of the whole child. The CDL is in the department of Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) in the College of Social Sciences, and the Assistant Director of Lansing plays a vital role in ensuring the programming at the site meets the quality standards of NAEYC, Great Start to Readiness, State of Michigan, and HDFS. The Assistant Director oversees day-to-day operations including finances, fundraising, marketing, operations, human resources, staffing, and compliance.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.
Required Degree
Masters -Child Development or Early Childhood Ed.
Desired Degree
Other - Child Development, Early Childhood Education, or a related field
Minimum Requirements
A Master’s degree in Child Development, Early Childhood Education, or a related field and CPR/First Aid certification is required. The candidate must also have demonstrated experience supporting individuals in developing effective planning, organization, time management, and task management, as well as excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Desired Qualifications
- Experience in a setting with linguistically and culturally diverse families
- Minimum of five years successful experience in teaching in an early childhood program
- Two to five years of experience supervising and managing personnel
- One to three years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive experience in fundraising, development, donor relations, and gift stewardship
Required Application Materials
- Resume
- Cover Letter
- Transcripts
- Contact information for 3 references
Review of Applications Begins On
08/01/2026
Summary of Physical Demands
Carrying and lifting children; picking children up from crib, seated position, and standing position. Getting up and down from the floor.
Summary of Health Risks
May come in contact with bodily fluids.
Website
HTTPS://HDFS.MSU.EDU/CDL
Department Statement
The MSU CDL serves children and families by providing a play-based curriculum influenced by such theorists as Vygotsky, Piaget, and Bronfenbrenner. We are able to provide a developmentally appropriate curriculum designed to promote development of the whole child. We do this by addressing development in the six domains. Our programs provide a continuity of interaction across classrooms through the use of social guidance techniques. The CDL welcomes children and families representing many languages, countries of origin, income levels, family structures, and ability levels. We value families as experts on their own children and collaborate with families to develop individually appropriate goals for children within the context of the classroom community. Families will find outstanding support from our staff as they learn to be advocates for their children through our programs.
MSU Statement
Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.
