Business Manager

The Learning Experience #487; Ephrata (Lancaster County); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus based on performance

Competitive salary

Employee discounts

Health insurance

Opportunity for advancement

Paid time off

Job summary

The Learning Experience #487 in Lancaster County, PA is seeking a results-driven Business Manager to lead enrollment, operations, and family communications.

You will manage occupancy, revenue, and staff, while building community partnerships and executing local marketing. This role reports to the Center Director / Owner and is on-site full-time with opportunities for advancement.

Qualifications

• 2+ years’ experience in retail/store management; cross-industry welcome.
• Early Childhood Education background is required.
• Demonstrated leadership with at least 2+ years in a customer-facing sales setting.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Owns center enrollment: rolling forecast, weekly/monthly enrollment goals, and plan to fill every seat.
• Nurtures leads through scheduling and tours; follows up with potential families to secure enrollment.
• Leads tours, highlights features of our brand and center; maintains connections with potential customers.
• Builds referral relationships with local pediatricians, realtors, HR/benefits contacts, and community organizations to generate leads.
• Manages the waitlist and re-engages past inquiries so no interested family falls through the cracks.
• Oversees Work and Family program — building relationships with community and business leaders.
• Executes marketing brand campaigns and local marketing activities; uses social media for parent engagement and retention.
• Maintains the lead tracking portal and customer database and coordinates the registration process.
• Serves as the primary point of contact for family communications — billing, account questions, and newsletters.
• Runs re-enrollment and retention efforts to protect existing enrollment.
• Has a strong understanding of the childcare offerings within the community and plans budget for “parent pleasers”.

Skills

Retail/store management

Leadership

Data-driven decision making

Customer-facing sales

Education

Early Childhood Education

Bachelor's degree preferred

Job description

Benefits

• Bonus based on performance
• Competitive salary
• Employee discounts
• Health insurance
• Opportunity for advancement
• Paid time off

Business Manager

Full-Time | On-Site | Reports to: Center Director / Owner

Business Managers at The Learning Experience are responsible for the financial and operational performance of the Center. Their primary responsibility is keeping the center full — driving inquiries, tours, and enrollments to reach and hold capacity — and serving as the main point of contact for family communications. They have an essential ability to apply their business acumen to customer engagement and leading people, ultimately creating an environment where others can thrive.

Role Responsibilities

ENROLLMENT & FAMILY COMMUNICATIONS (PRIMARY FOCUS)

• Owns center occupancy: builds a rolling enrollment forecast, sets weekly/monthly enrollment goals, and drives the plan to fill every seat
• Nurtures leads through scheduling and conducting tours; follows up with potential families to secure enrollment
• Leads tours, highlighting key features of our brand and the center and maintains strong connections with potential customers
• Builds referral relationships with local pediatricians, realtors, HR/benefits contacts, and community organizations to generate a steady stream of leads
• Manages the waitlist and re-engages past inquiries so no interested family falls through the cracks
• Oversees Work and Family program — building relationships with community and business leaders (Housing Communities, Chamber of Commerce, Local Businesses)
• Executes marketing brand campaigns and local marketing activities; uses social media for parent engagement and retention
• Maintains the lead tracking portal and customer database and coordinates the registration process
• Serves as the primary point of contact for family communications — billing, account questions, and newsletters
• Runs re-enrollment and retention efforts (e.g., annual re-enrollment, referral incentives) to protect existing enrollment
• Has a strong understanding of the childcare offerings within the community and plans budget for “parent pleasers”

BUSINESS OPERATIONS & PEOPLE LEADERSHIP

• Drives financial performance for the center; reviews monthly P&L and adjusts plans based on performance and occupancy
• Hires outstanding talent and keeps the center fully and appropriately staffed
• Approves final work schedules, ensuring ratios are always intact, and processes accurate payroll
• Ensures parent billing, receivables, and collections are accurate and current
• Manages vendor relationships and center inventory (supplies, food, curriculum, etc.)
• Partners with the Center Director on team meetings and overall center direction

QUALIFICATIONS

• 2+ years’ experience in retail/store management - cross-industry experience is welcome
• Early Childhood Education background is requred
• Demonstrated leadership ability with a minimum of 2+ years of experience in a customer-facing sales setting
• Ability to leverage data to understand the business and make decisionsBachelor’s degree preferred

Base salary commensurate with experience, plus a performance-based bonus opportunity tied to center enrollment and occupancy milestones.