Find & Apply For Creative Director Jobs in Winter Haven, Florida

Hope Creative School (HCS) is seeking an inspiring, proactive, and accountable Director to lead our school into its next season of revitalization and growth. HCS enjoys a solid legacy and a stable support system as a vital ministry of Hope Presbyterian Church. The Director is charged with growing our school from current enrollment of students, infants through kindergarten, to full capacity by cultivating an engaged staff, a high-trust parent community, and a Christ-centered learning environment. The Preschool Director reports directly to the Pastor and is guided by the Session and HCS Board. All leadership and instruction must be centered on a living, vibrant relationship with Jesus Christ. Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in early childhood education, Business Administration, or a related field preferred (or an equivalent combination of education, training, and leadership experience).
• Minimum of 3 years of classroom teaching experience in an early childhood setting.
• Credentialed as a Child Care Facility Director by the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) or possessing the qualifications to earn director credentialing within the state-mandated 6-month window.
• Proven track record in early childhood administration, program turnaround/growth, and staff mentorship.
• Demonstrated financial literacy in childcare operations, including budget formulation, cash flow monitoring, and tuition management.
• Strong interpersonal, crisis-communication, and conflict-resolution skills. Key Responsibilities 1. Fiscal Stewardship, Budgeting & Financial Planning

Annual Budget Creation:

Develop and propose a comprehensive, balanced annual operating budget in coordination with the Pastor, HCS Board, and church finance team.

Ongoing Financial Monitoring & Adjustments:

Monitor revenue and expenditures on a monthly basis; make prudent operational and staffing adjustments to ensure the school remains on track with budgetary and financial targets.

Financial Oversight & Coordination:

Partner closely with the Board and church administration to oversee tuition billing, timely collections, and third-party subsidy programs (including ELC and Step Up for Students).

Resource Allocation:

Ensure funds are properly directed toward high-impact curriculum, classroom resources, safety standards, and competitive staff compensation. 2. Staff Leadership, Culture & Personnel Management

Collaborative Hiring:

Establish structured, multi-step hiring procedures in direct partnership with designated HCS Board members, ensuring rigorous reference checks and background vetting.

Onboarding & Training Documentation:

Conduct comprehensive teacher orientations, structured peer mentorships, and maintain written documentation of all training, check-ins, and performance evaluations.

Professional Accountability & Terminations:

Manage personnel issues with fairness and thorough documentation; conduct disciplinary actions or terminations in formal consultation with the Pastor and Board.

Visible, Hands-On Leadership:

Provide active daily classroom presence and walkthroughs, offering immediate administrative support to teaching staff (including direct classroom coverage when needed).

Safety & Workplace Standards:

Strictly enforce health, safety, and drug-free workplace policies, ensuring immediate follow-up on parent and staff concerns and compliance with screening protocols. 3. Enrollment, Community Relations & Reputation Management

Growth & Recruitment:

Design and execute strategic outreach, tours, and marketing campaigns to actively rebuild student registration across all age brackets (infants through kindergarten).

Parent Relations & Retention:

Maintain warm, transparent, and prompt communication with families to rebuild trust, address concerns proactively, and minimize student withdrawals.

Reputation Safeguarding:

Proactively monitor and protect the online presence and public reputation of both HCS and Hope Presbyterian Church, addressing family feedback or public concerns swiftly, constructively, and professionally. 4. Board Governance & Regulatory Compliance

Reporting & Collaboration:

Maintain open, regular communication with the Pastor and Board via routine operational reports covering enrollment figures, staffing levels, budget updates, and facility needs.

Licensing Adherence:

Ensure 100% compliance with DCF licensing regulations, local health codes, child-to-staff ratios, and church safety guidelines.

Policy & Operations:

Collaborate with the Board on operational logistics, school hours, annual calendar, tuition schedules, and programmatic updates. 5. Spiritual & Educational Leadership

• Cultivate a loving, Christ-centered school atmosphere where children are guided in discipline, manners, Christian character, and moral values.
• Ensure teachers implement engaging, age-appropriate curriculum that nurtures social-emotional, cognitive, and physical development.
• Maintain a clean, secure, and inspiring learning environment where supervision protocols are followed without exception. Compensation & Benefits

Base Salary:

$55,000 - $65,000 annually, commensurate with credentials, education, and relevant administrative experience.

Performance & Enrollment Incentives:

Performance-based bonus opportunities tied to achieving specific enrollment milestones (e.g., reaching student capacity benchmarks) and meeting annual operational/retention targets.

Childcare Tuition Benefit:

Generous childcare/preschool tuition discount for eligible dependent children enrolled at HCS.

• Paid Time Off (PTO): Competitive paid time off, paid holidays, and alignment with church/school scheduled seasonal breaks.

Professional Support:

Church coverage of state DCF Director Credential fees, continuing education credits (CEUs), and leadership development training.

Pay:

$55,000.00 - $65,000.00 per year

Work Location:

In person