Assistant Director

Director Job Description:

Job Position: Director.

Reports To: Owner of Future Scholars Childcare & Preschool.

Summary/Objective:

Under general supervision of the Owner. The Director operates the center in conformance with center policies and core values, GSQ Accreditation standards and procedures, and CDC State licensing standards and provisions. The incumbent will work closely with the Owner, leadership team, and center staff to maintain a passionate and nurturing culture for children and support teachers in implementing a hands-on curriculum. The Director is responsible for planning, organizing, implementing, coordinate, and control services of the childcare, exercise independent judgment and decision-making authority as delegated, including policies, procedures, staff supervision, and ensuring the health, safety, and quality of education for all children within the center’s care. The Director is directly accountable for overall operational management according to well-established guidelines, including curriculum development, staff and facilities management, legal and budgetary considerations, and long-range planning. The Director ensures that the needs of the students and the goals of the center are met appropriately.

Essential Functions:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Day to Day Leadership and Center Management:

• Ensure that the center and staff conform to federal, state, and local rules, regulations, and licensing requirements.
• Provide day-to-day leadership and management that mirrors the organization’s mission and core values.
• Develop and implement operating policies and activities as required; develop cost estimates for future program needs.
• Assist staff in preparing for and presenting early childhood programs and activities; direct the organization and follow-up on particular activities, assist as necessary with instructional assistants' duties.
• Daily use of CRM Child Care Management System in Procare Connect to contact and follow up with leads to maintain that the center is fully enrolled year-round.

Staff Management:

• Ensure that staff's problems are resolved; alter policies and procedures to ensure the program's smooth operation in line with the company’s core values.
• Plan, develop, schedule, and/or provide in-service training and childcare staff evaluation.
• Coordinate and conduct monthly staff meetings to discuss and review important topics for the upcoming month. Meetings should be held during one weekday evening per month from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm.
• Coordinate staff birthday and anniversary celebration as well as monthly staff appreciation activities.
• Conduct staff one on one meetings monthly for all center staff.
• Provides consultative services to work teams to coach the resolution of employee issues in performance management. Develop staff performance improvement plans when necessary and develop and provide training for leaders in this area in line with the company’s core values.

Program Management:

• Ensure company policies and emergency safety procedures are implemented, practiced, and adhered to.; ensure staff is trained appropriately.
• Ensure that an educational program accountability system is in place that aligns instruction with legal requirements and contractual performance standards.
• Collaborate with the Owner to ensure center advancement through GSQ accreditation standards.
• Interface with partner agencies to ensure quality control and program success.
• Develop master staff schedule and coordinate scheduling process to ensure contractual and financial compliance.
• Prepare and maintain administrative and business reports and records of the childcare center.
• Recruit and schedule children for the center; maintain accurate records on children enrolled in the program to include their development, attendance, immunization, and general health; conduct program registration, and maintain appropriate files and waiting lists.
• Responsible for ensuring maximum student enrollment in the center.
• Oversee all office functions, human resources, personnel management (staff supervision), purchase and maintain childcare supplies and equipment.

Staff Hiring:

• Perform recruitment efforts to attract talent and children. Future Scholars Childcare & Preschool and its affiliates are equal opportunity employers.
• Attract, recruit, train, engage and motivate staff members.
• Plans and conducts new employee orientation to foster a positive attitude toward company goals.
• Keeps record of insurance coverage and personnel transactions such as hires, promotions, transfers, performance reviews, and terminations. Maintains employee database.

Family Relationship Building:

• Oversee proper communication with parents of current, past, and prospective students through direct conversation, newsletters, parent app, parent handbook; implement community outreach activities to maintain and promote positive community relationships and total enrollment.
• Confer with parents regularly to discuss the development of their enrolled children.
• Conduct marketing campaigns to maintain public relations with parents, prospective clients, universities, colleges, or community colleges.

Facility:

• Manages all activities (either personally initiated or through subordinates) related to maintaining the facilities, office equipment, and systems.

Competencies:

• Analytical – Synthesizes complex or diverse information; collects and researches data; uses intuition and experience to complement data; designs workflow and procedures.
• Business Acumen – Understands business implications of decisions; displays orientation to profitability; demonstrates knowledge of market and competition; aligns work with strategic goals; Able to maintain maximum student enrollment effectively.
• Communications – Effectively expresses ideas and thoughts verbally and in written form; exhibits good listening and comprehension; keeps others adequately informed; selects and uses appropriate communication method; responds effectively to unusual or crises. Communicate in the English and Spanish language at the required level to perform all job duties safely and competently.
• Relationship Building - Exhibit professional customer services skills and cheerful staff and parent relationship building.
• Continuous Learning – Assesses own strengths and weaknesses; seeks feedback to improve performance; pursues training and development opportunities; Strives to build knowledge and skills continuously; Shares expertise with others.
• Customer Service – Manages difficult or emotional situations; exhibits conflict resolution skills; responds promptly to needs; develops new approaches to meeting needs; responds to requests for service and assistance; establishes and maintains effective relations; exhibits tact, consideration, and integrity.
• Financial Literacy – Ability to perform basic business mathematical calculations; works within approved budget; develops and implements cost-saving measures; conserves organizational resources.
• Job Knowledge – Competent in required job skills and knowledge; ability to write job-related business documents; exhibits ability to learn and apply new skills; keeps abreast of current developments; requires minimal supervision; displays understanding of how job relates to others; uses resources effectively.
• Judgment – Displays willingness to make decisions; exhibits sound and accurate judgment; supports and explains reasoning for decisions; Includes appropriate people in the decision-making process; makes timely decisions, and possesses a high level of integrity.
• Leadership – Exhibits confidence in self and others; inspires and motivates others to perform well; inspires respect and trust; displays passion and optimism; effectively influences others' actions and opinions; gives appropriate recognition to others; delegates work appropriately by matching the responsibility to the person.
• Performance Coaching – Defines responsibilities and expectations; sets goals and objectives; gives performance feedback; builds commitment and overcomes resistance; monitors and evaluates results.
• Project Management – Develops project plans; coordinates projects; demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; communicates changes and progress; completes projects on time and budget; manages project team activities.
• Planning/Organizing – Prioritizes and plans work activities; uses time efficiently to meet deadlines; manages multiple tasks; sets goals and objectives; organizes or schedules other people and their tasks; develops realistic action plans; responds effectively to changing priorities. Demonstrates practical time management skills.
• Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems promptly; gather and analyzes information skillfully; develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem-solving situations; uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
• Strategic Thinking – Develops strategies to achieve organizational goals; understands organization’s strengths and weaknesses; analyzes market and competition; identifies external threats and opportunities; adapts the approach to changing conditions.

Supervisory Responsibility:

This position manages all childcare center employees and is responsible for the performance management and hiring of the employees within the center.

Work Environment:

This job operates in a childcare facility environment. The position will interact with children in early learning classrooms daily. On occasion, your assistance will be required at the other corresponding centers located in Miami, FL, and Doral, FL.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here represent those that an employee must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

The employee is occasionally required to sit, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. This job's specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. The employee must be alert, not impaired, and able to make logical decisions using good judgment.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

This is full-time, the hours of work and days are generally Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 6 p.m. Extended hours may be necessary to cover staffing during center hours and/or for monthly staff meetings. One day per week, the Director is to supervise the morning routine as early as 7:30 am and one day per week, managing the closing to ensure proper adherence to school policies and practices. The Director is to plan, organize and hold one staff meeting per month during the evening hours of 6:30 to 7:30 pm.

Travel:
10% travel is required for the position.

Would Like Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or related field.
• Minimum of five (5) years experience teaching infants, toddlers, and/or preschoolers in a licensed childcare facility with at least one (3) years’ experience in a management role.
• Active Director’s Credential and Staff Credential
• Knowledge of NAC accreditation and licensing standards is preferred.
• Completion of MiRegistry 24-hour training and exams reflected on MiRegistry educational transcript.
• Current First Aid & CPR Training and Certificate
• Must have demonstrated current early childhood education policies, procedures, trends, curriculum, and development. • Must be proficient in Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook).

Preferred Education and Experience - But not required:

5 years of supervisory experience. Master’s degree in early childhood education.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications:

• Must be able to pass a post-offer background check successfully.
• Must execute a non-compete agreement on or before the start date.

Work Authorization/Security Clearance (if applicable):

Must be authorized to work in the United States.

AAP/EEO Statement:

Future Scholars Childcare & Preschool is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer where diversity is celebrated. The Michigan Civil Rights Act prohibits employment practices that discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, handicap, or marital status. 

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is intended to describe the general nature and work performed by employees but is not a complete list of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of personnel. Furthermore, other duties, obligations, and activities may change or be assigned at the employer's discretion. At which time, a revised job description will be dispensed to include any added and/or augmented essential functions.

Employment Relationship:

Please note that this job description is not a contract and does not create any obligations on the company's part. Employment with Future Scholars Childcare & Preschool is and shall remain at will.