Academy Center Director- Experienced

Kiddie Academy
Lake Zurich, IL

We Are looking for our Next Experienced Academy Director; Who is Highly Motivated with Strategic Problem-Solving, Understands and Values Driving Enrollment and Building a Strong Community and Team; must be qualified through Gateways and hold a Directors Credential 1-3 and have had previous Director Experience with High Enrollment and Team Building Success.

EMAIL DIRECTLY: [email protected] to schedule an interview

We are looking for our next amazing leader of our schools! We are multi-site owners looking to grow our locations and that dynamic Academy Director to join our ventures!

  • Email Owners Directly with your resume and transcripts and a time to meet: [email protected]

Currently our first round of interviews will be coordinating would be on scheduled ASAP. Please include your availability to meet in person.

Job Overview
We are seeking an energetic and strategic Academy Director with proven experience managing daycare operations to lead our early childhood education center. This dynamic leader will oversee daily operations, ensure compliance with licensing standards, foster a nurturing environment for children, and drive business growth. The ideal candidate will combine senior leadership capabilities with a passion for early childhood development, creating a vibrant community where children thrive and staff are motivated to excel. This role offers an exciting opportunity to shape the future of our educational programs while ensuring operational excellence and sustainable growth.

Duties

  • Provide visionary leadership to create a positive, engaging, and safe environment for children, families, and staff.
  • Develop and implement strategic plans to enhance program quality, operational efficiency, and business development initiatives.
  • Manage day-to-day operations including staffing, budgeting, compliance with licensing regulations, and facility maintenance.
  • Lead recruitment, onboarding, training, and ongoing professional development of staff to foster a high-performance team.
  • Build strong relationships with families by ensuring excellent customer service and addressing concerns promptly.
  • Drive process improvements by analyzing operational workflows and implementing best practices for efficiency and quality assurance.
  • Negotiate contracts with vendors, partners, and service providers to support center operations and growth objectives.
  • Oversee marketing efforts to attract new families and expand community outreach initiatives.

Requirements:

Must hold Director Level 1-3 through Gateways

  • Proven management experience in early childhood education or daycare operations, with a track record of leading teams successfully.
  • Strong strategic planning skills to develop long-term growth plans aligned with organizational goals.
  • Demonstrated senior leadership ability to inspire teams, manage change, and foster a collaborative work environment.
  • Excellent negotiation skills for vendor agreements, partnerships, and operational contracts.
  • Business development expertise to identify opportunities for expansion and community engagement.
  • Proficiency in project management tools and techniques to oversee multiple initiatives simultaneously.
  • Knowledge of process improvement methodologies to optimize operational workflows continuously.
  • Deep understanding of operations management within licensed childcare settings, including compliance standards and safety protocols.
  • Leadership qualities that motivate staff, promote innovation, and uphold the highest standards of care and education. This role is integral in shaping a thriving educational environment while ensuring operational excellence—perfect for a driven leader eager to make a meaningful impact in early childhood development!

Have NAEYC and Excellerate Accreditation Experience, Successful Team Building and Enrollment Success Rate, Highly motivated with strong bonus structure.

Join us as an Academy Director to shape the future of education by inspiring excellence, fostering innovation, and leading with purpose. Your leadership will empower learners and educators alike to reach new heights of achievement!

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $60,000.00 - $70,000.00 per year

Benefits:

  • 401(k) matching
  • Childcare
  • Dental insurance
  • Employee discount
  • Health insurance
  • Paid time off
  • Professional development assistance
  • Referral program
  • Retirement plan
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Vision insurance

Experience:

  • Center Director Role: 1 year (Preferred)

Location:

  • Lake Zurich, IL 60047 (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Posted 2026-01-08

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