Executive Director- Early Childhood Education

About the position

Job description: Title: Executive Director- Early Childhood Education Location: Jersey City, NJ Salary: $100,000-$110,000 Schedule: Monday-Friday We are a private, community‑centered early education and elementary school serving a diverse and growing population in New Jersey. Our mission is to provide a safe, nurturing, and inspiring learning environment where children's physical, cognitive, and social‑emotional growth comes first. With an adaptable curriculum and a team of dedicated educators, we help every child reach key developmental milestones in a way that honors their individual needs and strengths. We are seeking a professional, driven, and highly accountable Executive Director to lead our expanding early childhood education programs. Reporting directly to the Owner, this role oversees a portfolio of Center Directors and provides the leadership, systems, and support they need to deliver consistent, high‑quality experiences for families across 2–3 centers. This is a multi‑unit leadership role for someone who works hard, sets high standards, and thrives in a fast‑moving environment. The ideal candidate is mission‑aligned, solutions‑oriented, and comfortable wearing many hats while leading with clarity, teamwork, and operational excellence. Key Responsibilities: Provide leadership to Center Directors and site teams, ensuring strong collaboration and effective support across all departments. Oversee the planning, organization, and execution of daily operations and academic programs across multiple locations, creating efficient processes that enable consistency and scale. Lead annual budget planning, monthly and quarterly reviews, and regular forecasting for all centers in partnership with senior leadership. Drive a strong focus on consistency, quality, and educational excellence to maximize enrollment, family retention, and referrals. Create and manage KPIs that measure performance and drive accountability across the organization. Build and maintain strong relationships with families and the community, ensuring decisions prioritize the well‑being of children and long‑term stability of the business. Manage a multi‑center business portfolio, identifying growth opportunities and steering decisions that increase revenue, customer acquisition, and retention. Hire, coach, develop, and retain a diverse, high‑performing team. Anticipate and plan for staffing, marketing, financial, and operational needs. Oversee processes, vendors, expenses, and operational infrastructure across all sites. Required Skills & Qualifications: Self‑starter with minimal need for supervision; 5–7+ years of successful multi‑location leadership experience. Bachelor's degree in Business Management or related field (Master's degree preferred but not required). Proven experience managing budgets and P&Ls. Experience leading an organization of 50+ employees and serving thousands of customers. Strong ability to build, develop, and retain high‑performing teams. Solid business acumen with the ability to identify sales opportunities and drive financial results. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills. Strong interpersonal skills; able to engage professionally and warmly with students, staff, families, and community partners. Leadership experience in a customer‑focused, talent‑driven environment. Benefits Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance Accident Insurance Life insurance 401(k) with company match Bonus eligibility (based on performance) Employee Assistance Program Long‑Term Disability Professional development opportunities

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