Executive Director - Academy For The ONE

Executive Director - Academy For The ONE Church for the One Lakeland, FL Job Details Full-time 3 hours ago Benefits Health savings account Health insurance Dental insurance Paid time off Vision insurance Life insurance Qualifications Customer communication Operations management Master's degree Public relations Practicing budget management in an educational setting Business management Senior leadership Full Job Description

OUR PURPOSE

Church For The ONE exists to reshape the perception of the Church's relevance by becoming the first place people look for identity, community, and help. We are a church obsessed with the one — focused on reaching those who are doubting, done with religion, and disengaged from faith. Academy For The ONE is not separate from that mission. It is one of its most powerful expressions. Every family that entrusts their child to AFTO is a family we have the privilege of serving, loving, and potentially connecting to the life of the church. The Executive Director of AFTO carries this responsibility with excellence and intentionality every single day.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Executive Director of Academy For The ONE is the senior leader responsible for the holistic operation, vision, and culture of the center. This is not simply a childcare administrator role — it is a leadership position that requires someone who can integrate academic excellence, operational discipline, financial accountability, and compassionate community engagement into a single, unified mission. The ideal candidate will champion transformative early childhood education through strategic leadership and visionary programming — cultivating a developmental ecosystem that integrates academic rigor with socio-emotional learning, ensuring each child's comprehensive growth and potential. They will serve as the organizational ambassador of Academy For The ONE, seamlessly bridging administrative excellence with faith-based community engagement.

WHO YOU ARE A

Team Player A People Person A Culture Champion A Leader Growing Spiritually Humble, hungry, and emotionally intelligent — you lead from strength, not ego Ministry is about people. You care more about people than preference or performance. You engage, listen, give voice, and genuinely care You embody our staff values and prioritize healthy culture above all else — excellence follows culture, not the other way around You understand that leadership is stewardship. You lead people because you care about them, not because you need to be in charge You make an effort to grow and activate your faith through time with God, conversations with others, and using your gifts to glorify Him You call Church For The ONE home. You believe in the vision and are committed to what God is doing here

LEADERS HERE

Leaders Here Are:

Available Called Humble Loving Courageous Leaders Here Will:

Make The Ask — We don't shy away from inviting families, staff, and community into what God is doing in this place Clarify, Communicate, and Make Decisions Around The Vision — the vision of our church is the reference for every decision made in this center Cultivate Community — rally people together across a multitude of scenarios. We value healthy community and actively contribute to it Be Ministry-Minded — every moment is an opportunity to point something or someone to Jesus. Ministry isn't something we do, it's who we are Make It Better — we are always looking for ways to improve. We don't turn a blind eye to our gaps; we go out of our way to contribute to God's work here

KEY ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES 1.

Leadership & Vision Oversee all school operations, driving instructional quality, academic rigor, and whole-child development Inspire, lead, and manage a diverse staff — fostering a positive, collaborative environment that prioritizes both educational outcomes and exceptional customer service Develop and implement policies and objectives of the AFTO program Serve as a role model for staff in embodying the church's mission, vision, values, and commitment to excellence Demonstrate advanced leadership capabilities, inspiring staff through professional mentorship and innovative pedagogical approaches 2. Academic Excellence & Child Development Promote a curriculum that is both academically challenging and developmentally appropriate — addressing the cognitive, emotional, and social needs of each child Develop and execute an ongoing program of activities that contributes to the care, growth, and development of each child as an individual Work closely with teaching staff to implement instructional best practices and provide ongoing professional development and performance feedback Make yearly staff and teacher evaluations, discussing results individually with each employee Authorize purchases of instructional materials and teaching aids designed to stimulate learning Confer with teaching staff regarding behavioral or learning concerns, making recommendations for modification and encouraging growth Maintain knowledge of first aid and ensure proper medical attention protocols are in place for ill or injured children 3. Family & Community Engagement Be a welcoming, visible presence for families — promoting a strong sense of community and trust between families, the school, and Church For The ONE Interview each parent who enrolls a child, clearly communicating policies and enrollment procedures Develop effective parent relationships and remain available for conferences, meetings, and ongoing communication Work with teachers to devise and distribute progress reports for each child twice a year Edit and distribute a quarterly newsletter of center activities to parents and administration Actively encourage family engagement in Sunday church services and events as part of our community outreach and mission Handle parent inquiries, concerns, and feedback promptly — modeling a culture of responsiveness and respect 4. Financial Administration Prepare and maintain an annual budget, including personnel, equipment, supplies, and training Collaborate with the Chief Financial Officer for budgeting, financial planning, and resource management to achieve both educational and business objectives Review financial statements and enrollment status weekly, ensuring enrollment stays at or near capacity and accounts are financially current Ensure past due accounts are collected and no customer falls more than two weeks behind in payments Develop and maintain a waitlist plan to maximize enrollment potential Maintain accurate records in accordance with State child day center licensing procedures for financial and statistical purposes Evaluate facilities, resources, and personnel — making recommendations regarding promotions, salaries, and staffing decisions 5. Operational Management & Compliance Ensure efficient and effective daily operations, including staff management, resource allocation, and health and safety standards Review and evaluate school activities to ensure conformance to state, local, and ACSI (Association of Christian Schools International) regulations Maintain state licensing as a daycare director in the State of Florida Supervise general condition and upkeep of the building and grounds Work with the Facilities Director on interior and exterior maintenance, ongoing improvement projects, and safety issues Coordinate with relevant partners on the financing and construction aspects of present and future facility needs 6. Marketing, Enrollment & Public Relations Lead marketing and enrollment efforts to attract and retain families aligned with the school's mission and church community Supervise all advertising efforts including digital, print, and other creative mediums in consultation with the Communications Director Develop strong parent and student relationships that generate first-rate word-of-mouth referrals Look outside the box for ways to maximize building use and grow the Academy For The ONE program throughout the Lakeland community 7. Staff Development & Culture Select, orient, and hire personnel for the center, including necessary replacements when vacancies occur Provide or make available ongoing in-service training for staff members Serve as a mentor and model to staff on professional conduct, including confidentiality, best practice, and quality service to children and families Direct and guide personnel in teaching abilities and professional working habits

POSITIONS DIRECTLY SUPERVISED AFTO

management team AFTO Teachers AFTO Aides

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

Required Committed follower of Jesus Christ with a lifestyle consistent with the mission and values of Church For The ONE Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Education Administration, Business Administration, or a related field Minimum of 5 years of experience in an early childhood or educational leadership role, with a proven track record of overseeing high-quality academic programs Active or eligible Florida State daycare director license Strong business management skills, including experience managing budgets and driving organizational growth Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and customer service skills Sophisticated understanding of early childhood development principles, state licensing regulations, and contemporary educational best practices Alignment with our church's mission, vision, and values and a genuine desire to connect families to our faith community Preferred Master's degree in Early Childhood Education, Education Administration, or related field Prior experience in a church-based or faith-integrated educational setting Experience with ACSI accreditation standards and compliance Demonstrated experience with enrollment growth and community marketing

CHARACTER QUALIFICATIONS

An extremely important aspect of this position is the character and integrity of the individual who fills it. The Executive Director should demonstrate administrative skill, servant leadership, spiritual sensitivity, and exhibit these qualities in everyday life. The Executive Director acknowledges the responsibility to act in the best interest of Academy For The ONE at all times. The Executive Director is expected to conduct their private and public life in a manner that reflects well on the church, the center, and the families they serve.

Job Type:

Full-time Benefits:

Dental insurance Health insurance Health savings account Life insurance Paid time off Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person