Area Manager- Nashville

TGS Holdings, LLC; Tennessee; Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The Gardner School in the Nashville area is seeking an Area Manager to oversee operations and performance across multiple campuses. You will lead Executive School Directors to ensure safety, purposefulness, and enrichment, while driving adherence to quality standards and regulatory requirements.

This senior role manages financial performance, enrollment, and family experience, traveling 50-75% and partnering with the Regional Director for growth and operational excellence.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in a related field as required.
• Minimum five years of progressive leadership experience in early childhood education.
• Experience leading multiple locations or operational teams.
• Strong knowledge of early childhood regulations and licensing requirements.
• Experience with budgeting, financial analysis, labor management, enrollment and performance accountability.
• Proven leadership, coaching, communication, interpersonal and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Recruit, onboard, lead, coach, and develop Executive School Directors.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations and licensing requirements.
• Develop and manage budgets; analyze financial results and drive revenue and cost targets.
• Oversee enrollment, occupancy and retention strategies with Marketing and school leadership.
• Promote a high-quality family experience and address escalated concerns.
• Collaborate with Regional Director on growth plans and strategic initiatives.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Business Administration, Organizational Leadership, or related field

Five years of progressive leadership experience in early childhood education

Job description

It's fun to work in a company where people truly BELIEVE in what they're doing! We're committed to bringing passion and customer focus to the business.

Title

Area Manager

Location

Nashville Area

Travel

approximately 50-75% travel throughout the assigned area, including occasional overnight travel

Reports To

Regional Director

Position Summary

The Area Manager oversees the operations and performance of multiple The Gardner School locations within an assigned area. This role leads and supports Executive School Directors to ensure each school fulfills The Gardner School Promise to provide a community that is safe, purposeful, and enriching. The Area Manager is accountable for operational excellence, educational quality, regulatory compliance, financial performance, enrollment, family experience, and team-member engagement across assigned schools.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Leadership and Team Development

Recruit, onboard, lead, coach, and develop Executive School Directors. Establish clear expectations, evaluate performance, and provide ongoing feedback and support. Foster an inclusive, collaborative, and accountable culture aligned with The Gardner School Values: Children First, Trust, Innovation, and Make a Difference. Conduct regular school visits to assess results, reinforce expectations, and support school leadership teams.

Operational and Educational Excellence

Ensure consistent execution of company programs, policies, processes, and operational standards. Maintain compliance with federal, state, and local regulations and licensing requirements. Identify operational risks or performance gaps and develop appropriate action plans with school leadership. Ensure academic programming supports children's physical, social, emotional, and cognitive growth and meets applicable quality, certification, and accreditation standards. Support the successful opening, transition, and stabilization of schools within the assigned area.

Financial and Enrollment Performance

Develop and manage school and area budgets in partnership with Executive School Directors and the Regional Director. Analyze financial and operational results and implement strategies to achieve revenue, profitability, and expense targets. Coach school leaders on staffing models, scheduling, productivity, and proactive labor management. Oversee enrollment, occupancy, and retention strategies, partnering with Marketing and school leadership as appropriate.

Family and Community Experience

Ensure schools consistently deliver a high-quality experience for children and families. Support the timely and professional resolution of escalated family or community concerns. Promote and model The Gardner School Vision, Promise, and Values within the schools and surrounding communities.

Strategic Partnership and Growth

Partner with the Regional Director to develop and execute plans for the assigned area. Collaborate with organizational leaders to identify and support growth opportunities. Remain informed about industry trends, regulatory changes, and best practices affecting school operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Business Administration, Organizational Leadership, or a related field.
• Minimum of five years of progressive leadership experience within early childhood education.
• Experience leading multiple locations, schools, or operational teams.
• Strong knowledge of early childhood education regulations and licensing requirements.
• Experience with budgeting, financial analysis, labor management, enrollment, and performance accountability.
• Strong leadership, coaching, communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to analyze data, establish priorities, and translate organizational goals into action.
• Ability to meet applicable state-specific director qualification requirements.
• Experience developing multi-site leaders, supporting school openings or transitions, and working with NAEYC standards or accreditation processes, preferred.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

This position works across multiple early childhood education and remote-work environments. The role requires regularly moving throughout school facilities, using a computer and other technology, and communicating in person and through telephone and virtual platforms. The position may occasionally require bending, reaching, kneeling, using stairs, and lifting or carrying materials weighing up to 25 pounds. The environment may include moderate noise, frequent interruptions, and conditions commonly present in early childhood education settings. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

The Gardner School provides children with a nurturing start for a successful future with a premier preschool experience for children. Built on decades of expertise, we promise to provide a school community that is safe, purposeful, and enriching. This commitment is fulfilled through the efforts of our engaged team members, the growth of thriving children, and the satisfaction of happy families. Together we provide exceptional care and education differentiated by our people, program, and promise.