Director of Early Childhood Education

Job Summary
We are seeking a dedicated and passionate Child Care Center Director to lead our team in providing a nurturing and educational environment for children. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in education administration, higher education teaching, and experience working with students. The Center Director is responsible for planning, organizing, implementing, and coordinating services of the program, exercising independent judgment and decision-making authority as delegated, including budget, policies, procedures, and staff supervision. The Center Director is responsible for maintaining a safe and positive culture in the center, supporting teachers in developing and implementing an innovative and hands-on curriculum, and building an environment where the children, families, and staff thrive. They will have the overall responsibility of promoting a positive image in the community and achieving profitability for the company. Above all else, the Center Director will uphold the Vision, Mission, Core Values, and Circle of Care philosophy of Lightbridge Academy.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• The essential functions include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Provide day-to-day leadership and management reflecting the Core Values of Lightbridge Academy.
• Ensure effective operation of the center; maintain licensing, safety, and educational standards in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local rules, regulations, licensing requirements, and company policies.
• Cultivate positive relationships with families, staff members, and community contacts and build and maintain public relations with prospective clients and corporate partners through networking and cross-marketing opportunities.
• Deliver exceptional customer service to parents by going above and beyond to address questions and concerns and assist parents promptly and effectively.
• Create and implement the marketing plan for the center and coordinate local area and in-center events and activities per Lightbridge Academy requirements.
• Motivate and lead a high-performance team to create engaging and quality classroom experiences; leverage and develop “best in class” quality educators to be passionate and committed professionals; maintain the proper staff/child ratio set by the South Carolina Department of Social Services.
• Maintain responsibility in the areas of 1) recruiting, interviewing, hiring, and training employees, 2) planning, assigning, and supervising the work of direct reports, 3) appraising the performance of direct reports, 4) rewarding and disciplining employees, and 5) addressing staff complaints and resolving problems.
• Develop and facilitate agendas for monthly team meetings and other meetings as needed.
• Deliver and implement training programs pursuant to Lightbridge Academy’s Core Values and state and company requirements.
• Prepare and deliver reports and forms in accordance with the company’s deadlines and procedures.
• Assist in the planning and development of an annual budget and meet or exceed financial goals and objectives; maintain accurate financial accounting of the center operation and protect the company’s monetary assets; develop cost estimates for future program needs.
• Achieve the set Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and ensure accuracy and timeliness of data entry.
• In cooperation with local and state agencies, develop and execute effective emergency response plans, conduct monthly fire drills and quarterly lock-down drills, and maintain a log of drills and documentation of response plans.
• Manage relationships with outside vendors, including background investigations and insurance requirements, communicating with and ensuring vendor compliance with company policies.
• Conduct daily safety checks of overall facilities, including all equipment and company premises, to ensure a safe environment.
• Maintain, secure, and update essential and accurate administrative records for the center as required by the company and all applicable federal, state, and local regulations, including but not limited to records on staff and children.
• Willing to work evenings and weekends as needed for events, meetings, leadership and community events.
• Participate in required trainings and meetings and travel to off-site training as needed.
• Maintain the standards per the Association of Early Learning Leaders and the company’s operation and education audits.
• Perform the job duties of any staff member as needed, as well as other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• A university degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field is preferred.
• Experience in higher education teaching or education administration is highly desirable.
• Minimum of two (2) years in a supervisory role in a licensed childcare program.
• Leadership – Ability to set a vision, inspire collaboration among staff members, and coach and build teams to achieve mutual goals.
• Integrity – Instill mutual trust and confidence, create a culture that fosters high standards of ethics, behave in a fair and ethical manner toward others, and demonstrate a sense of corporate responsibility and commitment to the population served.
• Initiative – Ability to proactively spearhead and coordinate the execution of responsibilities in order to achieve desired outcomes and identify and develop new ideas and challenges for business improvement.
• Customer Service – Demonstrate a strong commitment to identifying and meeting customers’ needs in a timely and appropriate manner and continually seek to ensure their full satisfaction.
• Decision-Making and Judgment – Ability to react quickly with sound judgment and problem-solving skills in complex and critical situations, such as injuries and accidents.
• Communication – Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, and work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
• Teamwork – Ability and desire to work cooperatively with others on a team; act as a team leader by demonstrating interest, skill, and success in getting groups to learn to work together.
• Adaptability – Respond to change with a positive attitude and a willingness to learn new ways to accomplish work activities and objectives.
• Motivation – Willingness to take self-directed or self-motivated actions to do more than is expected in the job to improve job performance and find or create new opportunities.
• Self-Development – Responds positively to feedback regarding performance, continually strives to develop professionally, and takes advantage of opportunities to grow.
• Technical – Proficiency in using technology such as tablets and smart devices, as well as software such as Microsoft Office, specifically Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• If you are passionate about early childhood education and possess the necessary qualifications, we encourage you to apply for this rewarding opportunity to make a difference in the lives of children.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• Standing and Walking – Frequent standing and walking throughout the center to supervise classrooms, conduct safety checks, interact with staff and families, and oversee operations.
• Sitting – Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk to complete administrative tasks, prepare reports, and participate in meetings.
• Lifting and Carrying – Occasionally required to lift and move objects up to 35 pounds, such as classroom equipment, event supplies, or documents, and assist staff as needed.
• Bending, Stooping, or Kneeling – Occasionally required to bend or stoop to inspect facilities, interact with children at their level, or organize materials.
• Hand and Finger Dexterity – Frequent use of hands and fingers to operate computers, manage paperwork, handle classroom supplies, and assist with various tasks.
• Vision and Hearing – Adequate vision and hearing to observe classroom activities, ensure safety, review documents, and communicate effectively with children, staff, and parents.
• Speaking – Regularly required to communicate clearly and effectively in meetings, training sessions, and interactions with families and community members.
• Environment – Work is conducted in a moderately noisy childcare environment, with occasional loud noise levels due to children’s activities.

Note

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and perform any other job-related duties requested by anyone authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to their health or safety or that of others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at-will” relationship.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $50,000.00 - $60,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Employee discount
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Ability to Commute:

• Greenville, SC 29607 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Greenville, SC 29607: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $50,000 - $60,000