Area Director

Active Start Childcare; Edmonton; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Active Start Childcare Ltd. is seeking an Area Director to provide strategic and operational leadership across multiple centres in Alberta.

The role focuses on ensuring high-quality programming, licensing compliance, and consistent standards while guiding Centre Directors and supporting organizational growth. The successful candidate will lead efforts to recruit, onboard and develop strong leadership teams, manage enrollment and budgets, and foster a collaborative workplace culture across

Qualifications

• Minimum of five years of progressive leadership experience in childcare, early learning or multi-site operations.
• Alberta Child Care Certification Level 3 is required.
• Strong working knowledge of the Alberta Early Learning and Child Care Act, Regulations and licensing requirements.
• Experience leading, coaching and developing teams, preferably supervising managers or Centre Directors.
• Experience overseeing multiple locations is a strong asset.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational oversight across multiple childcare locations, ensuring consistent standards and accountability.
• Directly supervise, support and mentor Centre Directors, establishing clear expectations and goals.
• Conduct regular site visits to assess operations and identify improvement opportunities.
• Monitor performance and implement action plans to improve overall effectiveness.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Mentoring

Communication

People management

Education

Alberta Child Care Certification Level 3

Job description

Active Start Childcare is a distinguished early learning institution serving children from 12 months through kindergarten. We provide comprehensive daycare, preschool, and before- and after-school programs within state-of-the-art facilities designed to cultivate an inclusive, stimulating, and active environment.

Our inquiry-based curriculum fosters curiosity, creativity, and confidence, while emphasizing physical literacy and holistic child development. Carefully designed indoor and outdoor play spaces ensure children remain engaged and active throughout the year, including during Alberta’s harshest weather.

We maintain strong collaborative partnerships with families to support each child’s growth and prepare them for sustained success.

Reporting to senior leadership, the Area Director is responsible for the overall operational performance, quality, compliance and success of multiple Active Start childcare centres. You will work closely with Centre Directors, providing direction, mentorship, accountability and support to ensure each location operates effectively and consistently reflects the Company’s standards, policies and values.

The successful candidate will be a hands-on, solutions-oriented leader who can identify opportunities for improvement, address operational challenges, develop strong teams and support continued organizational growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational oversight across multiple childcare locations, ensuring consistent standards, efficient operations and accountability.
• Directly supervise, support and mentor Centre Directors, establishing clear expectations, priorities and performance goals.
• Conduct regular site visits to assess centre operations, identify areas for improvement and provide guidance and support.
• Monitor centre performance, identify operational challenges and implement action plans to improve overall effectiveness.

Licensing, Compliance & Quality Assurance

• Ensure all centres maintain compliance with the Alberta Early Learning and Child Care Act and Regulations, licensing requirements, Alberta Health standards, fire regulations, Occupational Health and Safety requirements and Company policies.
• Oversee the implementation and ongoing maintenance of centre policies, procedures, program plans and required documentation.
• Ensure Centre Directors understand and fulfill their licensing, safety, administrative and operational responsibilities.
• Monitor program quality and curriculum implementation to support positive learning environments and exceptional childcare experiences.
• Ensure required inspections, licensing documentation, safety records and compliance requirements are maintained and up to date.
• Lead, coach and develop Centre Directors to build strong, capable and accountable leadership teams.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, retention, performance management and succession planning.
• Foster a positive, collaborative workplace culture that promotes employee engagement, professionalism and accountability.
• Identify staff development needs and coordinate training on Company policies, procedures, regulatory requirements and operational expectations.
• Support employee relations matters and provide guidance to Centre Directors on appropriate people management practices.
• Monitor enrollment levels, occupancy and centre capacity, identifying opportunities to support enrollment growth and retention.
• Oversee the child registration and enrollment process, ensuring required documentation is complete, accurate and maintained.
• Monitor centre budgets, operating expenses, staffing levels and allocated payroll hours to support responsible financial management.
• Work with Centre Directors to identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency and resource utilization.
• Support new centre openings, expansion initiatives and the implementation of consistent operational practices across locations.

Family & Community Relationships

• Promote positive relationships with families and ensure concerns are addressed professionally, consistently and in a timely manner.
• Provide oversight and support in resolving escalated parent complaints and concerns relating to classroom programming, staff or centre operations.
• Support family engagement initiatives, centre events, open houses and community outreach.
• Review parent feedback and satisfaction surveys, working with Centre Directors to develop and implement improvement plans.

Facilities, Safety & Risk Management

• Regularly assess the condition, appearance and overall presentation of each centre, including equipment, furniture, cleanliness, maintenance and outdoor play spaces.
• Ensure facilities provide safe, clean, welcoming and well-maintained environments for children, families and employees.
• Oversee the implementation of emergency and crisis management plans in response to accidents, emergencies, disasters or public health events.
• Ensure incidents, safety concerns and operational risks are appropriately reported, documented and addressed.
• Coordinate with internal support teams and external service providers to resolve facility and operational issues.

Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum of five years of progressive leadership experience in childcare, early learning or multi-site operations.
• Alberta Child Care Certification Level 3 is required.
• Strong working knowledge of the Alberta Early Learning and Child Care Act and Regulations, licensing requirements and childcare best practices.
• Demonstrated experience leading, coaching and developing teams, preferably with direct responsibility for supervising managers or Centre Directors.
• Experience overseeing multiple locations is considered a strong asset.
• Strong understanding of childcare operations, enrollment management, staffing, budgeting and regulatory compliance.
• Excellent communication, organizational, problem‑solving and decision‑making skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, work independently and take initiative.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build positive relationships with employees, families and stakeholders.
• Valid driver’s licence and ability to travel regularly between childcare locations.

Why Join Active Start Childcares?

Be Part of Our Growth
Join an expanding childcare organization and play an important role in supporting existing centres and future growth opportunities.

Make an Impact
Help shape the quality of early learning experiences and create positive environments for children, families and employees.

Lead and Develop People
Work alongside dedicated Centre Directors and teams, helping build strong leaders and a culture of collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement.

Meaningful Career Opportunity
Take on a senior leadership role with the opportunity to influence operations, improve processes and contribute to the Company’s long-term success.

Competitive Compensation & Benefits
We offer a competitive compensation package, including: