Child Care Center Director Lead the Opening, Growth and Ongoing Success of a New Early Childhood Education Center We are seeking a strategic, entrepreneurial and results-oriented Center Director to lead a new early childhood education center from pre-opening through launch and into long-term operations. This is a permanent Center Director position with the unique opportunity to build a center from the ground up and continue leading the center after opening. The Center Director will establish the foundation for success by driving enrollment, building a strong community presence, developing a high-performing team and ensuring operational readiness. Following opening, the Director will continue to lead all aspects of center operations while driving enrollment growth, family satisfaction, team engagement and overall center performance. The ideal candidate understands that a successful center begins long before opening day and continues through strong leadership every day thereafter. This individual is passionate about early childhood education, skilled in relationship building and motivated by achieving measurable enrollment and business goals while creating an exceptional experience for children, families and team members. Position Summary The Center Director serves as the ongoing operational and business leader of the center, beginning during the pre-opening phase and continuing after the center opens. During pre-opening, the Director will focus on building enrollment, establishing community partnerships, recruiting and developing the center team and ensuring licensing and operational readiness. Once the center opens, the Director will transition into full leadership of daily center operations while continuing to grow enrollment, develop the team, engage families, strengthen community relationships and achieve operational and financial goals. Success in this role will be measured by enrollment growth, family experience, team engagement, operational excellence and the center's reputation within the local community. Key Responsibilities Enrollment Growth & Business Development Develop and execute enrollment strategies to achieve and maintain occupancy goals before and after opening. Conduct highly effective tours that convert prospective families into enrollments. Build and maintain a strong enrollment pipeline through proactive lead management and consistent follow-up. Analyze enrollment metrics and conversion data to identify trends and adjust strategies. Collaborate with corporate marketing and local stakeholders to maximize lead generation opportunities. Develop relationships with employers, real estate professionals, pediatricians, hospitals, chambers of commerce, community organizations and local businesses to generate referrals. Represent the center at networking events, community festivals, school events and business functions. Execute grassroots marketing initiatives that establish and maintain the center as a premier choice for early childhood education. Brand Awareness & Community Engagement Serve as the primary ambassador for the center before opening and throughout ongoing operations. Develop meaningful partnerships that strengthen community engagement and position the center as a trusted educational resource. Coordinate pre-opening events, grand opening activities and ongoing family and community events. Build lasting relationships with prospective and enrolled families through proactive communication and outstanding customer service. Maintain a strong presence in the community to support continued enrollment growth and brand awareness. Leadership & Talent Development Recruit, hire, onboard and retain exceptional educators and administrative team members. Build a positive and high-performing culture focused on accountability, professional growth and excellence. Provide ongoing coaching, mentoring and performance management. Develop future leaders and create opportunities for team member growth. Ensure staffing levels appropriately support enrollment while maintaining quality and regulatory standards. Create an environment where team members feel engaged, supported and connected to the center's mission. Operational Excellence Lead all licensing, regulatory and operational readiness activities required for a successful opening. Transition seamlessly from pre-opening activities into leadership of ongoing daily center operations. Ensure continued compliance with state licensing requirements, health and safety regulations and organizational policies. Oversee daily center operations, staffing, scheduling, budgeting and resource management. Monitor key performance indicators including financial performance, enrollment, staffing and family satisfaction. Identify opportunities for continuous improvement and take action to strengthen center performance. Maintain a safe, welcoming and engaging learning environment for children, families and employees. Qualifications Required Must meet Arizona Department of Health Services requirements to serve as a Child Care Facility Director, including all applicable education, training and experience requirements. Must be at least 21 years of age, as required for an Arizona Child Care Facility Director. Must possess or be able to obtain all required Arizona childcare clearances, certifications and documentation, including a valid Arizona Fingerprint Clearance Card and required CPR and First Aid certification. Must meet applicable Arizona requirements for education and experience in early childhood education, child development, childcare administration or a related field and provide documentation necessary to verify Director qualifications. Demonstrated success in enrollment growth, family engagement and business development. Experience recruiting, leading and developing high-performing teams. Strong understanding of childcare licensing regulations, health and safety requirements and operational best practices. Exceptional communication, relationship-building, presentation and organizational skills. Strong analytical skills with the ability to use enrollment and operational data to drive decisions. Preferred Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Business Administration, Education or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Minimum of three to five years of progressive leadership experience within a licensed early childhood education setting. Previous experience serving as a Director or Assistant Director of an Arizona licensed childcare facility. Experience working directly with Arizona Department of Health Services childcare licensing requirements and inspections. Experience leading the opening or expansion of a childcare center. Background in sales, customer relationship management, marketing or community outreach. Experience managing budgets and achieving financial performance goals. What Makes You Successful The ideal candidate is: A strategic leader who balances operational excellence with business growth. An entrepreneurial thinker who is excited to build a center and then lead its continued success. A confident relationship builder who enjoys networking and creating community partnerships. A strong communicator who inspires confidence with families, employees and community stakeholders. A results-oriented leader who is motivated by achieving enrollment and performance goals. An organized project manager who can manage multiple priorities during both the opening phase and ongoing operations. A collaborative coach who develops engaged and high-performing teams. Passionate about exceptional early childhood education and creating an outstanding family experience. Join Our Team This is a unique opportunity to build a center from the ground up and continue leading it as it grows and thrives. You will have the opportunity to shape the team, culture, family experience and community presence from the beginning. After opening day, you will continue as the Center Director with responsibility for leading the center's ongoing operations, enrollment growth, team development and long-term success. If you are an accomplished early childhood leader who is excited by both the challenge of building something new and the opportunity to lead what you build, we invite you to apply.

Pay:

$55,000.00 - $70,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Employee discount

Work Location:

In person