Regional Director of Operations

• Early Childhood Education About the Position As Magical Adventures Discovery Center is adding two new centers, we are seeking an experienced, motivated, and relationship-focused Regional Director of Operations to support the leadership and continued growth of our childcare centers.

This is a multi-site leadership position designed for an experienced early childhood professional who understands that great centers are built by great teams. Each of our locations has its own full-time Director and Assistant Director who are responsible for the daily operation of their center. The Regional Director of Operations will not replace those leaders or manage every detail of their buildings; instead, this position serves as a resource, mentor, problem-solver, and accountability partner to help each leadership team operate successfully. The Regional Director will regularly visit each location, monitor operational performance, assist directors when challenges arise, help maintain consistency across the organization, and work directly with ownership on larger operational initiatives. A major focus of this position will also be helping our centers participate in and advance through Nebraska Step Up to Quality, including supporting quality-improvement goals, documentation, staff development, classroom practices, and preparation for observations and ratings. This position is ideal for someone who has successfully led a large childcare center or multiple centers and is ready to move into a broader leadership role.

Primary Responsibilities:

Multi-Site Leadership & Director Support Build strong working relationships with the Directors and Assistant Directors at each location while allowing them to maintain ownership of their individual centers. Regularly visit each center to observe operations, identify opportunities for improvement, and provide hands-on support when needed. Coach, mentor, train, and develop center Directors and Assistant Directors. Help leadership teams work through staffing, scheduling, enrollment, parent concerns, employee concerns, classroom challenges, and other operational issues. Provide additional leadership support during unusual or difficult situations. Help establish clear expectations and accountability for center leadership. Recognize successful practices at individual centers and help implement those practices throughout the organization. Serve as a communication bridge between center leadership and ownership.

TLDR:

Key responsibilities include coaching and developing Directors, conducting regular center walkthroughs, supporting licensing and compliance, assisting with staffing and employee issues, monitoring enrollment and operational performance, processing bi-weekly payroll, helping standardize policies and procedures, and supporting future growth and acquisitions. A major part of the position will be helping our centers participate in and advance through Nebraska Step Up to Quality, including documentation, staff development, classroom improvements, quality goals, and preparation for observations and ratings. Ideal candidates should have significant childcare leadership experience, strong knowledge of Nebraska licensing requirements, experience with Step Up to Quality, strong organizational and communication skills, and experience with staffing, payroll, and financial operations.

Starting salary:

$75,000+ per year, based on experience. Benefits may include insurance options, discounted childcare, PTO, paid holidays, professional development, advancement opportunities, and a company-provided vehicle for travel between locations. This is a full-time, hands-on multi-site leadership role for someone who can support Directors without micromanaging them, maintain accountability, and help multiple centers operate consistently and successfully.

Further Details:

Step Up to

Quality:

Take an active role in our organization's participation in Nebraska Step Up to Quality. Assist with documentation, evidence collection, action plans, policies, and other materials needed for the Step Up to Quality process. Support classroom and program improvements related to curriculum, learning environments, teacher-child interactions, family engagement, professional development, and other quality indicators. Licensing, Compliance & Safety Support each center in maintaining compliance with Nebraska childcare licensing requirements and company policies. Conduct weekly internal walkthroughs and operational reviews. Help leadership identify and correct potential compliance concerns before they become larger issues. Support preparation for licensing visits, inspections, and other regulatory reviews. Monitor required staff files, training, certifications, background-check requirements, and other documentation in coordination with center leadership. Help ensure consistent health, safety, supervision, transportation, and emergency procedures across all locations. Assist leadership in responding to licensing concerns and developing corrective action plans when necessary. Staffing & Leadership Development Support Directors with recruiting, interviewing, onboarding, coaching, and retaining quality employees. Help identify staffing trends and potential problems before they become emergencies. Assist with difficult employee situations when additional leadership support is appropriate. Develop and support leadership training for Directors, Assistant Directors, and employees with leadership potential. Help create succession plans so centers have strong internal candidates prepared for future leadership opportunities. Promote a positive workplace culture built around communication, accountability, teamwork, professionalism, and respect. Enrollment & Family Experience Monitor enrollment trends at each location and work with center leadership to identify opportunities for growth. Support Directors with tours, enrollment processes, family communication, and retention strategies. Help resolve escalated parent concerns when center leadership needs additional assistance. Monitor the overall family experience and help ensure families receive consistent communication and service across our locations. Work with leadership to identify why families leave and develop strategies to improve retention. Operational & Financial Oversight Review key operating information with center leadership and ownership. Monitor staffing levels, overtime, scheduling, enrollment, attendance, and other operational indicators. Help Directors understand the connection between staffing decisions, enrollment, quality, and the financial health of their centers. Identify unnecessary expenses and opportunities to improve efficiency without sacrificing quality or safety. Help coordinate purchasing, vendors, supplies, food-service needs, transportation, and other shared operational resources when appropriate. Oversee and process payroll on a bi-weekly basis. Assist ownership with implementing new systems, policies, technology, and operational improvements across multiple locations. Consistency Across Locations Help maintain consistent expectations and standards while recognizing that every center has its own children, families, employees, and personality. Assist with implementation and ongoing review of company policies and employee/parent handbooks. Help ensure company procedures are being followed consistently. Develop systems, checklists, resources, and training materials that make it easier for Directors to successfully manage their centers. Coordinate regular leadership meetings and encourage collaboration between center Directors. Help prevent individual locations from operating in isolation by creating a culture where leadership teams share ideas, resources, and solutions. Growth & Special Projects Work directly with ownership on organizational priorities and special projects. Assist with transitions, acquisitions, new locations, expansions, renovations, and other growth initiatives as needed. Help onboard new centers and leadership teams into company systems and expectations. Evaluate operational needs as the organization grows and recommend improvements. Take on additional regional responsibilities as the organization expands. Qualifications

• Significant experience in licensed childcare or early childhood education
• Previous experience as a childcare Center Director, Assistant Director, Area Director, or similar leadership position
• Strong knowledge of Nebraska childcare licensing requirements
• Experience with or strong knowledge of Nebraska Step Up to Quality
• Experience supervising and developing employees
• Strong understanding of childcare staffing, ratios, scheduling, enrollment, and daily center operations
• Strong financial and Payroll experience
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong organizational and time-management abilities
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and multiple locations
• Confidence handling difficult conversations professionally
• Ability to coach leaders without micromanaging them
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills
• Comfort working independently while maintaining regular communication with ownership
• Basic proficiency with computers, email, documentation, and childcare-management systems
• Valid driver's license and acceptable driving record
• Ability to travel regularly between childcare locations within the Omaha metro area Education and experience meeting applicable Nebraska childcare leadership requirements are strongly preferred.

We are looking for someone who is: Supportive. Directors should feel comfortable calling you when they need help. Accountable. Supporting people also means being willing to address problems when expectations aren't being met. Observant. You notice the small things before they become big problems. Organized. Managing multiple locations requires excellent follow-through. Approachable. Employees and leaders should feel comfortable communicating with you. Consistent. Expectations shouldn't change depending on which center you're visiting. Solutions-focused. When something goes wrong, your first question is, "How do we fix it?" Calm under pressure. Childcare can change quickly. Staffing issues, parent concerns, licensing questions, and unexpected situations require someone who can remain professional and think clearly. Passionate about quality. Step Up to Quality should be more than paperwork. We want someone who genuinely wants to improve children's experiences, classroom environments, and the support we provide our teachers. Able to develop leaders. One of the most important measures of your success will be how well the Directors underneath you grow. Schedule & Travel The majority of work will take place during normal childcare operating hours; however, childcare leadership sometimes requires flexibility. Occasional early mornings, evenings, meetings, training events, or urgent situations may be necessary. This is an active leadership role. The Regional Director should expect to spend meaningful time inside each center rather than managing exclusively from an office. Why Join Us? We are a growing, family-owned childcare organization that believes strong leadership creates strong centers. We want our Directors to have the resources and support they need to succeed. As Regional Director of Operations, you will have the opportunity to directly influence the culture, quality, and future of multiple childcare centers while working closely with ownership. You will also play an important role in helping us strengthen our participation in Nebraska Step Up to Quality and continue building an organization where children, families, and employees can thrive. Starting Compensation & Benefits Minimum starting salary: $75,000+ per year, based on experience and qualifications. Our compensation package may also include:

• Benefits:

  Life insurance, Long and Short Term Disability, Voluntary Life, Accident Insurance, Critical Illness Insurance, Dental Insurance, and Vision Insurance. Discounted Child Care.
• Company-provided vehicle for travel between locations
• Paid time off
• Paid holidays
• Professional development and continuing education
• Opportunities for advancement as our organization continues to grow Specific compensation and benefits will be discussed during the interview process.

Job Type:

Full-Time To Apply:

Please submit your resume along with a brief description of your childcare leadership experience to HR@ma-dc.com. Applicants with experience as a childcare Center Director, multi-site leader, or with Nebraska Step Up to Quality are encouraged to highlight that experience when applying. Magical Adventures Discovery Center is an equal opportunity employer.

Pay:

From $75,000.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k) Childcare Dental insurance Employee assistance program Employee discount Life insurance Paid time off Professional development assistance Retirement plan Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person