Job Description

The School Director is accountable for the overall performance and culture of the school. This includes enrollment growth, financial health, staff leadership, licensing compliance, and the delivery of high-quality early education programs. The School Director sets the tone for the entire school community, drives operational excellence, and is responsible for developing a sustainable leadership culture that supports team growth and long-term school health. The Director is the primary leader responsible for all people inside the building, children, families, and staff alike.

• Leadership & Personnel Management
• Lead and develop all school personnel by managing schedules, conducting performance evaluations, implementing improvement plans, and establishing clear expectations through consistent recognition, coaching, and accountability. Recruit, hire, onboard, train, mentor, and retain high-performing staff to ensure operational excellence and educational quality.
• Build and sustain a high-performing school culture by modeling ethical leadership, fostering a collaborative and professional work environment, coaching instructional staff on curriculum implementation, and developing and implementing strategic training initiatives in collaboration with the District Manager and company training department.
• Invest in leadership pipeline development by identifying and advancing high-potential staff through pathways from Assistant Teacher to Lead Teacher to leadership readiness, supporting internal growth and succession planning. Work directly in classrooms as needed to maintain state-mandated ratios and ensure operational continuity.
• Regulatory Compliance and Safety
• Ensure full regulatory and legal compliance across all state childcare licensing requirements, teacher-to-child ratios, company policies, and applicable wage and hour laws; fulfill all mandated reporter responsibilities by promptly reporting suspected child abuse or neglect to the appropriate agency in accordance with applicable law.
• Establish and maintain a safe, healthy school environment by adhering to all company safety procedures, communicating hazards and prevention measures to staff, and conducting routine safety inspections, emergency preparedness drills, and compliance audits.
• Oversee daily operations and facility standards by maintaining accurate attendance records, coordinating facility maintenance, equipment repairs, and schoolwide sanitation, and performing cleaning responsibilities as needed to ensure tour-readiness and compliance with all state health requirements.
• Educational Quality & Family Engagement
• Drive classroom excellence and program quality by developing schoolwide strategies that promote engaging, developmentally appropriate learning environments; encourage creative instructional practices including student work displays, evidence of learning, and instructional technology; and lead accreditation, quality assurance, and continuous improvement efforts.
• Champion proactive family communication and engagement by ensuring staff provide consistent updates on each child's social, emotional, behavioral, and academic development; building trust-based relationships with enrolled and prospective families; and conducting annual parent conferences and community stakeholder outreach.
• Represent the school and brand with excellence by conducting engaging tours for prospective families, effectively communicating the school's educational philosophy, curriculum, and program offerings, and demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of the company's brand and educational model.
• Operations & Financial Accountability
• Own the school's financial performance by maintaining accurate records, ensuring timely tuition collection, safeguarding company assets, and assuming full accountability for P&L results; escalate significant budget variances to the District Manager promptly.
• Lead with data by analyzing operating statements, enrollment reports, staffing metrics, attendance trends, labor efficiency, and family retention data to drive strategic decisions and continuous improvement.
• Grow enrollment and community presence by executing locally focused marketing and outreach strategies, cultivating community partnerships, and delivering proactive family engagement that supports occupancy and retention goals.
• Leadership Team Collaboration & Communication
• Partner closely with school leadership by working in alignment with the Assistant Director and all District-level leaders to reinforce shared accountability, ensure consistent execution of priorities, and facilitate regular team communication with clear agendas and documented follow-through.
• Maintain transparent, responsive communication with the District Manager and regional/support teams through timely updates, proactive issue escalation, and clear reporting.
• Lead through change with intention by communicating the "why" behind organizational shifts, supporting staff through transitions, and sustaining operational stability as priorities evolve.

Qualifications