Center Director

Job Description

Job Description

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching

The Learning Experience in Waldorf is hiring a Center Director to lead the daily operations of our early childhood education center.

The Center Director leads teachers and staff, builds relationships with families, drives enrollment, maintains licensing and safety standards, and manages center performance.

What You'll Do

Inspires Happiness
Create a welcoming environment for children, families, and staff.

• Build positive relationships with families, children, and team members
• Create a professional, supportive, and collaborative center culture
• Address family and staff questions or concerns promptly
• Recognize and support team members

Takes Ownership
Lead the center and take responsibility for its day-to-day performance.

• Manage staffing, scheduling, enrollment, and center operations
• Recruit, hire, onboard, and retain qualified teachers
• Set priorities and address operational challenges
• Monitor center performance and follow through on action items

Builds Trust
Lead through communication, coaching, and consistency.

• Coach and develop teachers and center staff
• Set clear expectations and provide regular feedback
• Maintain strong communication with families
• Handle employee and family concerns professionally and confidentially

Drives Operational Excellence
Maintain a safe, compliant, and well-run childcare center.

• Ensure compliance with state childcare licensing, health, and safety requirements
• Maintain appropriate staffing, classroom ratios, and required records
• Oversee implementation of TLE's curriculum and operating standards
• Monitor staffing, labor, budgets, enrollment, and key performance indicators
• Review center financial performance and manage resources responsibly
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe center

Elevates the Brand
Grow enrollment and represent The Learning Experience in the community.

• Lead center tours and follow up with prospective families
• Monitor enrollment, retention, and family engagement
• Support local marketing, events, referrals, and community outreach
• Build relationships with current and prospective families
• Maintain TLE brand and quality standards

Qualifications

• At least 2 years of childcare center management or people leadership experience required; 2+ years preferred
• Experience in childcare, preschool, daycare, or early childhood education
• Must meet applicable state Director or Administrator requirements
• Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Education, Business, or related field preferred
• Knowledge of childcare licensing, health, safety, and classroom standards
• Experience leading, coaching, and developing employees
• Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills
• Must meet applicable background screening, health, and regulatory requirements

Work Schedule and Operational Requirements

• This is a full-time, on-site leadership position generally requiring a minimum of eight (8) hours of work per scheduled workday, excluding unpaid meal periods, unless otherwise approved or required by law.
• Must be available to work assigned opening and closing shifts and adjust work schedules based on center operating hours, staffing needs, and other operational requirements.
• Must maintain regular and reliable attendance and punctuality to fulfill assigned leadership responsibilities, subject to applicable law and reasonable accommodations.

Essential Operational Functions

• Provides on-site oversight of staffing, child supervision, center safety, and licensing compliance, including assigned opening and closing procedures.
• Conducts center walkthroughs and responds promptly to emergencies, staffing needs, and operational issues, including classroom coverage when required.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• Regularly moves throughout the center and may stand, walk, bend, kneel, reach, or work at child level to perform assigned responsibilities.
• Must be able to observe, communicate, and respond to safety concerns and perform essential job functions, with or without reasonable accommodation.

If you have early childhood education leadership experience and are ready to lead a center, team, and growing community of families, apply today to join The Learning Experience.

The duties listed describe the primary responsibilities and essential functions of the position and are not exhaustive. Additional duties may be assigned based on operational needs. The Learning Experience provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable law. Applicants and employees who need an accommodation should contact their supervisor or Human Resources to begin the interactive process.