Children's Land is seeking an experienced, energetic, and highly organized Center Director to lead the daily operations of one of our early childhood education centers. The Center Director is responsible for creating a safe, nurturing, and educational environment while ensuring operational excellence, regulatory compliance, financial performance, staff development, and exceptional customer service.
This position requires a hands-on leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment, can effectively manage multiple priorities, and is passionate about delivering an outstanding experience for children, families, and employees.
Primary Responsibilities
Leadership Team Management
• Recruit, hire, onboard, train, coach, and develop teachers and support staff.
• Create a positive, professional, and accountable work culture.
• Conduct regular classroom observations and staff performance evaluations.
• Hold team meetings and provide ongoing coaching and feedback.
• Develop future leaders through mentoring and professional development.
• Maintain appropriate staffing levels and classroom ratios at all times.
• Manage employee schedules, attendance, and time-off requests.
• Address employee concerns promptly and professionally.
Operations
• Oversee all daily center operations.
• Ensure classrooms remain fully staffed and operating efficiently.
• Monitor classroom quality, cleanliness, and organization.
• Coordinate opening and closing procedures.
• Maintain a safe and welcoming environment for children, parents, and staff.
• Ensure building maintenance issues are identified and resolved quickly.
• Coordinate vendors and facility maintenance as needed.
Licensing Compliance
• Ensure full compliance with all DCFS licensing regulations.
• Maintain all required records, files, and documentation.
• Prepare for and successfully manage all licensing visits and inspections.
• Ensure all health, safety, and sanitation procedures are consistently followed.
• Report incidents according to company policy and state regulations.
• Ensure all staff complete required trainings and certifications on time.
Enrollment Family Relations
• Conduct center tours for prospective families.
• Build relationships with current and prospective parents.
• Respond promptly to parent questions and concerns.
• Maintain high family satisfaction and retention.
• Support enrollment growth initiatives.
• Work with the enrollment team to achieve occupancy goals.
• Ensure exceptional customer service throughout the family experience.
Educational Quality
• Ensure implementation of Children's Land curriculum.
• Monitor classroom lesson plans and educational activities.
• Observe classrooms regularly to maintain teaching quality.
• Support teachers with classroom management and instructional coaching.
• Ensure developmental assessments are completed accurately and on schedule.
• Promote continuous improvement in educational outcomes.
Financial Administrative Responsibilities
• Manage center payroll approval.
• Monitor labor costs and staffing efficiency.
• Control center expenses while maintaining quality.
• Ensure timely completion of reports and administrative paperwork.
• Review enrollment, attendance, and revenue reports.
• Assist in achieving monthly enrollment and financial goals.
Health Safety
• Ensure children's health and safety remain the highest priority.
• Maintain emergency preparedness procedures.
• Conduct regular safety inspections.
• Ensure medication, accident, and incident documentation is completed accurately.
• Oversee food service, sanitation, and CACFP compliance where applicable.
Communication
• Communicate effectively with parents regarding center updates.
• Lead staff meetings and training sessions.
• Ensure consistent implementation of company policies and procedures.
• Foster open communication among teachers, families, and leadership.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)The Center Director is accountable for:
• Enrollment growth and occupancy
• Family retention
• Parent satisfaction scores
• Employee retention
• Licensing compliance
• Classroom quality
• Staff training completion
• Budget and labor management
• Safety and incident reduction
• Operational efficiency
• Timely completion of administrative tasks
Qualifications Required
• Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Education, or related field (or qualifications meeting DCFS Director requirements).
• Minimum 3 years of childcare management experience.
• Strong knowledge of Illinois DCFS licensing requirements.
• Experience leading and developing teams.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and childcare management software (e.g., Brightwheel).
Preferred
• Experience with CACFP.
• Experience improving enrollment and parent satisfaction.
• Strong analytical and reporting skills.
Why Join Children's Land
At Children's Land, we believe exceptional schools begin with exceptional leaders. Our Center Directors play a vital role in shaping the experience of our children, families, and teachers. We provide the support, resources, and opportunities needed to build high-performing teams and create an environment where children thrive.