Center Director

Assistant Director -- Morehead City, North Carolina

Invest in Your Potential, Define the Future of Early Childhood Education with Us! At Child Development Schools, we're not just offering jobs; we're inviting you to join a dynamic movement that's shaping the future. We're a tight-knit community committed to empowering children and families across 11 states, providing top-notch developmental education for ages six weeks to twelve years. As we embark on a journey of cultural transformation within our schools and our approach to Early Childhood Education, we're searching for passionate educators and leaders to join us in redefining childcare. Our mission is clear: to tackle the challenges facing families and educators head-on, while fostering a culture of innovation, integrity, and collaboration at every turn. With over 30,000 children under our care, we're dedicated to creating an environment where every child can thrive, supported by compassionate educators.

As an Assistant Director at Child Development Schools, you will help lead a center where children thrive, families feel at home, and educators are set up to do their best work every day. You will partner closely with the Center Director to manage daily operations, support your teaching team, and keep the center running smoothly, safely, and in full compliance.

This is a role for someone ready to step into real leadership -- someone who is organized, people-focused, and motivated to grow. If your goal is to run a center of your own, this is the right starting point.

Essential functions include:

• Operational stability: Manage staff schedules, ensure proper classroom ratios, coordinate coverage, and keep the center running smoothly on a day-to-day basis
• Classroom monitoring and quality oversight: Conduct regular classroom walkthroughs, provide real-time coaching and corrections to staff, and ensure program quality standards are upheld
• Administrative and compliance execution: Maintain accurate, up-to-date child and staff files; complete required compliance and corporate reporting; manage USDA and agency paperwork as applicable
• Documentation: Prepare daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly compliance and corporate reporting documents
• Parent communication and experience: Handle routine parent communication, conduct school tours for prospective families, and escalate complex concerns to the Director
• Staff onboarding, coaching, and accountability: Support onboarding of new hires, assist with day-to-day staff coaching, enforce policies consistently, and provide supervisory coverage in the Director's absence
• Opening and/or closing the center as assigned

Assistant Directors at CDS have real ownership and authority. You can independently make decisions on:

• Daily staffing and coverage adjustments
• Classroom-level corrections and coaching
• Routine parent communication
• Policy enforcement within established guidelines
• Compliance with current standards
• Supply orders within an approved budget
• Immediate problem-solving during operations

Major parent or staff complaints and inquiries are escalated to the Director.

Pay: 35,000-45,000/ year, based on experience and education. $400 Sign On Bonus

Full-time employees receive:

• Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and short- and long-term disability
• 401(k)
• 9 company-paid holidays and 8 days of PTO
• 50% tuition discount for your own children enrolled at a CDS center
• Up to $5,250 in annual tuition reimbursement for continued education
• Access to PerkSpot for discounts on major brands and services

ASPIRE -- Director in Training: Assistant Directors have access to our ASPIRE program, a 3-month leadership development initiative focused on business operations, customer service, and people management. It is designed to build the skills and confidence needed to run a center independently.

Requirements include:

• At least 18 years old
• Degree in Early Childhood Education with NC Level 2 Admin Credential
• Ability to pass a background check
• Minimum 2 years of experience in a licensed childcare center
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to coach, motivate, and hold a team accountable
• Genuine care for children and a commitment to their safety and well-being
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to build relationships with families and staff
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage compliance documentation accurately
• Physical ability to meet the demands of working with young children

A degree or coursework in Early Childhood Education is a plus. We are looking for people who are ready to lead and committed to growing.

We value and welcome your application, regardless of whether you meet every listed qualification. Your unique skills and experiences matter to us. Even if this role isn't right for you, applying allows us to contact you for future opportunities.

Child Development Schools is a childcare and early education provider with 270+ centers across 11 states, serving over 30,000 children ages six weeks to twelve years. We are committed to providing high-quality developmental education and supporting the families and communities we serve.

We believe every child deserves the opportunity to thrive, and we are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in our workplace. Child Development Schools provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression.