Director of Preschool Palisades Preschool Fort Lee, NJ Job Details Full-time From $65,000 a year 9 hours ago Benefits Paid time off Employee discount Professional development assistance Referral program Qualifications School experience Early childhood education center experience Program management Conflict resolution in education Team leadership Fire codes and regulations Team development Bachelor's degree Managing education teams Profit & Loss statement Working with families Practicing budget management in an educational setting Experience working with families with children General management Senior leadership Full Job Description Preschool Director Palisades Preschool About Us Palisades Preschool was founded in 1965 in Fort Lee, NJ, and has been serving children ages 2-6 ever since. The original school was established by Maryann and Richard Hubschman Sr. and remains proudly family-owned and operated today by the third generation, Tiffany and Rich Hubschman. Their vision is to honor the longstanding traditions of Palisades Preschool while thoughtfully expanding to new locations beyond Fort Lee, NJ. Our Vision To become a recognized leader in the preschool space across the United States through our curriculum approach to early childhood education. Our Mission To change the world by helping to raise kind, compassionate, generous citizens of the world — community leaders and advocates — through what we teach at our school. "Good Beginnings Never End."

Our Core Values Kindness:

Treating every person with warmth and care.

Compassion:

Understanding and responding to others' feelings.

Generousity:

Giving freely of time, ideas, and encouragement.

Community:

We are all in this together. Position Overview Palisades Preschool is seeking an experienced, hands-on, and accountable Preschool Director to lead our Fort Lee location. The Director owns the overall success of the school — ensuring every staff member is performing to standard, every family feels heard and supported, every classroom meets our quality and licensing requirements, and the physical facility is safe, well-maintained, and welcoming. This is a leadership role for someone who is comfortable being the final point of accountability. The Director sets the tone for the school, supervises and develops the team (including the Assistant Director), serves as the primary relationship-holder with families, and represents the school to state licensing agencies and the broader community. Working closely with ownership, the Director also plays a key role in supporting Palisades Preschool's growth as we expand to new locations. Key Responsibilities Leadership & Staff Accountability Directly supervise and manage the Assistant Director, lead teachers, and support staff Set clear performance expectations and hold every staff member accountable for their role, conduct, and results Work efficiently with team members, setting clear deadlines and holding staff accountable for meeting them Conduct regular performance reviews, coaching conversations, and, when necessary, disciplinary action Lead hiring, onboarding, and training so every new team member is set up to succeed Build and maintain a positive, professional, and collaborative school culture Oversee staffing plans, scheduling, and classroom coverage to ensure ratios and quality are never compromised Review staff meeting agendas prepared by the Assistant Director, adding any additional topics before meetings are held Make the final call on school closures or schedule changes due to inclement weather or other emergencies Quality & Compliance (Ultimate Accountability) Serve as the final point of accountability for state licensing compliance, health and safety regulations, and quality standards school-wide Own the relationship with state licensing agencies; personally lead inspections, audits, and license renewals Establish, communicate, and enforce school-wide policies, procedures, and quality benchmarks Ensure all required documentation — staff certifications, background checks, student records, incident reports — is complete, accurate, and always audit-ready Review, approve, and follow through on corrective action plans whenever a compliance or quality gap is identified Champion a culture of continuous quality improvement across every classroom and department Hold ultimate responsibility for health and safety protocols (allergies, medication administration, emergency drills, incident documentation), with the Assistant Director leading day-to-day execution Family & Parent Relations Serve as the primary point of contact for parent concerns, escalations, and feedback Build and maintain strong, trusting relationships with families from enrollment through graduation Lead the school's family communication strategy, including newsletters, conferences, and community events along side with the guidance of the Executive Director Personally resolve escalated family concerns with professionalism, empathy, and discretion Personally lead tours for prospective families, showcasing the school's programs, curriculum, and culture Ensure the school is clean, organized, and presentation-ready at all times, with particular attention on scheduled tour days Follow up promptly with prospective families after tours to answer questions and drive enrollment Oversee the overall enrollment and re-enrollment process, stepping in directly for prospective families who need director-level engagement Hold ultimate responsibility for waitlist management and re-enrollment timing, reviewing the Assistant Director's tracking to guide capacity decisions Facilities & Maintenance Own the overall condition, safety, and cleanliness of the facility, grounds, and equipment Coordinate routine maintenance, repairs, and vendor relationships (custodial, landscaping, HVAC, and similar) Conduct regular facility walkthroughs to proactively identify and resolve safety hazards or maintenance needs Work with the Executive Director to manage the facilities budget and prioritize capital improvement or repair needs Ensure the physical environment consistently meets licensing, fire, and building/safety code requirements Curriculum & Program Oversight Oversee implementation of the Palisades curriculum across all classrooms, ensuring fidelity to our Montessori, Reggio Emilia, and Waldorf-inspired approach Partner with the Curriculum Director and Assistant Director to ensure consistency and quality classroom to classroom Review and approve enrichment programs, outside vendors, and instructors Ensure developmentally appropriate practices are consistently applied school-wide School Operations & Business Administration Oversee day-to-day operations, enrollment targets, and the school's operating budget Manage tuition billing, vendor contracts, and general business administration Partner with ownership on strategic initiatives, including Palisades Preschool's planned expansion to new locations Represent the school within the local community and relevant early childhood associations Qualifications Bachelor's or Master's degree in Early Childhood Education, Education Leadership, or related field (preferred) 5+ years of experience in early childhood education, including 2+ years in a director or senior leadership role Strong working knowledge of state licensing regulations, health and safety codes, and accreditation standards Demonstrated experience managing staff performance and holding a team accountable Experience overseeing facilities, vendors, or building maintenance a strong plus Exceptional communication and conflict-resolution skills, with a track record of building trust with families Comfort with budgets, P&L, and basic business administration Independently proficient with core technology and school management systems (email, scheduling, billing/enrollment platforms, communication apps) — able to learn and execute new tools on their own, without relying on staff assistance Candidates must pass comprehensive criminal history (CHRI) fingerprint checks and child abuse record information (CARI) checks A confident, calm, and fair leadership style — someone families and staff alike can count on What We Offer A leadership role at a respected, family-owned school with over 60 years of history Direct involvement in shaping quality standards as we grow Opportunity for further leadership growth as we expand to 20 schools over the next 5 years A collaborative, supportive ownership team invested in your success The ability to make a meaningful, lasting impact on children, families, and staff Benefits Employee discount on childcare Paid time off - 2 weeks, 5 sick days, on top of most school vacation days off (~20) Professional development assistance Referral program Performance-based bonus potential (based on quality, compliance, and enrollment outcomes) Hours Full time, M-F, 8:30am - 5:30pm (some flexibility required for family events, staff needs, and licensing visits) This role is perfect for passionate educational leaders eager to make a meaningful impact on young children's lives while leading a vibrant team dedicated to excellence in early childhood education!

Pay:

From $65,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Employee discount Paid time off Professional development assistance Referral program

Work Location:

In person