Executive Director

At Children's Garden, we provide a nurturing environment that promotes the physical, social, emotional, and intellectual development of our young clients. For 75 years we have offered childcare and child development services to hundreds of Des Moines and Polk County families.

Children's Garden is the only remaining parent cooperative in Iowa, our parental involvement creates an environment that is an extension of the home, rather than a substitute.

The Executive Director, in conjunction with staff, teachers, and aides, will plan and execute a curriculum based on freedom of choice, balanced with specific learning activities with the goals of stimulating curiosity, enhancing learning, promoting independent thinking and a positive self-concept. She/he will be responsible for the day-to-day and overall operations of the facility, ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal guidelines while supporting our mission to enhance learning and development for each child. The Executive Director will ensure that the staff provides the best possible learning and care experience for the children in our programs, oversees the curriculum, and markets the facility and our programs. She/he must have extensive knowledge of childcare management and early education and must have the business skills to manage the administrative, operational, and financial aspects of the facility.

Responsibilities:

· Implements school policies, procedures and systems to ensure safe, healthy environment in compliance with State Standards at all times.

· Plans and participates responsibly in marketing and special events

· Maximizes occupancy of building

· Effects change required for continual compliance and improvements

· Recruits, hires, orients, trains, supervises and evaluates staff

· Manages budget in compliance with corporate guidelines; process bi-weekly payroll

· Represents the school to public, community, parents, visitors and staff with professionalism and integrity

· Attends meetings and training as directed

· Be able to train and teach monthly staff meetings to 15 teachers

· Consistently follows through with all duties and miscellaneous duties as assigned in a competent and timely manner

· Day to day operations in compliance with Quality Standards of the franchise

· Wise productive use of time

· Follows through with all assigned duties

· Completes any additional duties as assigned

· Able to accept and handle change

· Receives instruction and direction in appropriate manner

· Able to work flexible hours

Qualifications:

· At least 21 years of age

· High school diploma or GED

· Completion of one course in business administration or 12 contact hours in administrative-related training related to personnel, supervision, record keeping, or budgeting or has one year of administrative-related experience.

· Certification in infant, child, and CPR, first aid, and Iowa’s training for the mandatory reporting of child abuse.

· Minimum of 3 years of early childhood education experience and 1 year of an Assistant Director/Site Lead required;

· Must meet all requirements stipulated by the State of IA for this position

· Previous experience operating and managing all aspects of a school with a capacity of at least 75 children, including business management, education and continual learning and development, campus environment, and marketing and communications

· Ability to speak, read, and write English.

· Pleasant/friendly demeanor and an outgoing personality

· Excellent interpersonal and leadership skills

· Excellent communication, customer service, and problem solving skills, including the ability to maintain composure under stress

· Strong organization skills, able to multi-task, and can manage time to meet frequently changing deadlines in a fast-paced environment

· Highly professional and dependable

· Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and the internet

· Must be physically able to use a computer with basic proficiency, lift a minimum of 45 pounds, and work indoors or outdoors. Must be able to assume postures in low levels to allow physical and visual contact with children, see and hear well enough to keep children safe, and engage in physical activity with children.

Preferred

· Bachelor’s or higher degree in early childhood, child development, or elementary education

· Minimum of 1 year as a Center Director at a licensed childcare center

· Chauffer’s license or the ability to obtain within 3 months of hire

· Classroom teaching experience in an early childhood facility

In addition to a rewarding career that lets you help shape children's futures, Children's Garden provides a competitive compensation package. Benefits include:

· Competitive Salary

· 50% discounted child care

· Up to 6 weeks paid time off

· Education assistance and reimbursement

· 403(b) enrollment available

· Aflac voluntary supplemental insurance

Children's Garden operates as a non-profit parent cooperative. The Board of Directors is made up of the parent members who serve in a supervisory and advisory capacity to the Executive Director and determine policy and procedure for the cooperative.

Children's Garden is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, military or veteran status, gender identity or expression, or any other basis protected by local, state, or federal law.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $45,000.00 - $55,000.00 per year

Work Location: In person

Salary : $45,000 - $55,000