School Director (Early Childhood)

$55,000–$65,000 Annual Salary + Performance Incentives | 100% Employee Childcare Discount | Career Growth

Lead. Inspire. Grow. Make a Difference.

Children of America (COA) is looking for an experienced and passionate School Director to lead our early childhood education program and make a meaningful impact on children, families, and educators.

As a School Director, you'll oversee the daily operations of the school while leading and developing a talented team of educators, building strong family relationships, supporting enrollment growth, and maintaining high standards for quality care and education.

This is an excellent opportunity for an early childhood professional who is ready to take the next step in their leadership career and work alongside experienced senior and regional leaders.

Why Join Children of America?

At COA, we believe great schools start with great people. We provide our School Directors with the resources, leadership support, and career opportunities needed to succeed.

What We Offer

• $55,000–$65,000 annual base salary
• Performance-based incentives
• 100% employee childcare discount
• Internal career advancement opportunities
• Annual longevity bonus
• Quarterly PEEEPs (IOS) bonus
• Educational assistance/reimbursement
• T.E.A.C.H. Scholarship Partnerships
• Employee referral bonus
• Employee recognition programs
• Medical, Dental & Vision
• 401(k)
• Life, Accident & Disability Insurance
• Paid Vacation & Paid Holidays
• Ongoing professional development and leadership support

About Children of America

Children of America is an early childhood education organization built around people, principles, and pride. Our schools provide care and educational programming for children from 6 weeks through 12 years of age.

Our programs include:

• Infant
• Toddler
• Preschool
• Pre-K
• Before & After Care
• Summer Camp

We believe our people are what make COA strong. We encourage our leaders to bring their experience, ideas, leadership style, and passion for early childhood education to their work every day.

What You'll Do

As a School Director, you will take ownership of the overall success of the school while creating a positive environment for children, families, and employees.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, develop, and retain a talented team of educators and support staff
• Create a positive, collaborative, and accountable school culture
• Oversee all day-to-day school operations
• Ensure compliance with all applicable state childcare licensing regulations
• Maintain high standards for health, safety, quality care, and education
• Support enrollment growth and family retention
• Build strong relationships with children, families, employees, and the community
• Recruit, interview, onboard, and develop team members
• Provide ongoing coaching, feedback, and performance support
• Ensure consistent execution of COA's curriculum and educational programming
• Monitor classroom quality and educational standards
• Manage staffing, scheduling, and operational priorities
• Partner with senior leadership and regional operations to achieve school goals
• Implement COA policies, procedures, and operational processes
• Monitor school performance and identify opportunities for improvement
• Meet established operational, educational, enrollment, and financial performance expectations

What We're Looking For

We're looking for a people-focused, organized, and results-oriented early childhood leader who can successfully balance the needs of children, families, employees, and school operations.

Qualifications

• Associate's or Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field; CDA may be considered based on applicable state requirements
• 2–4 years of leadership or management experience
• Minimum 2 years of experience in a licensed childcare facility
• Strong knowledge of early childhood education
• Knowledge of applicable state childcare regulations
• Demonstrated ability to lead, motivate, coach, and develop a team
• Strong organizational and time-management skills
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
• Effective decision-making and problem-solving abilities
• Ability to remain flexible and composed in challenging situations
• Commitment to professional development and continuous learning
• Proficiency with technology, including industry-specific applications and Microsoft Office 365 (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint)
• Must meet all applicable state licensing and regulatory requirements

The Leadership Qualities We Value

You may be a great fit for COA if you:

• Lead by example
• Enjoy coaching and developing others
• Build strong relationships with employees and families
• Take ownership and follow through
• Are comfortable making decisions and solving problems
• Can balance people, operations, enrollment, and business priorities
• Are adaptable in a fast-paced environment
• Bring energy, professionalism, and accountability to your work
• Have a genuine passion for early childhood education

Who You'll Work With

You'll collaborate with a broad group of partners, including:

• Children and families
• Teachers and support staff
• School leadership
• Senior leadership
• Regional operations personnel
• Facilities and custodial teams
• Administrative and operational partners
• COA's regional support team

Strong communication and collaboration are essential to creating a successful school environment.

Travel Requirements

• Must possess a valid driver's license and reliable transportation
• Ability and willingness to travel up to 10% for training, professional development, and organizational meetings

Ready to Lead Your Next Chapter?

If you're an experienced School Director, Preschool Director, Childcare Director, Center Director, Early Childhood Director, or early childhood leader looking for an opportunity to lead a team and make a meaningful impact, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today and join Children of America!

Compensation

$55,000–$65,000 annual base salary + performance-based incentives. Final compensation will be based on experience, skills, geographic location, and internal equity. This role may also be eligible for additional benefits and incentive opportunities.

Children of America is committed to fair and transparent hiring practices. This job description is intended to comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) guidelines, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and applicable state-specific pay transparency requirements.

The listed responsibilities, qualifications, and compensation range reflect the essential functions and expectations of the role. Final compensation will be determined based on experience, skills, geographic location, and internal equity.

Children of America is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other protected status under applicable law. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.