Center Director

Hire Up Recruiting; Naperville (IL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Paid Time Off

Voluntary benefits

Ownership support

Job summary

Hire Up Recruiting is seeking an experienced Center Director for an established early childhood center in Naperville, IL. The role oversees daily operations, coaches teachers, and strengthens family relationships to drive enrollment and maintain high educational quality.

The ideal candidate has 2–3 years of director-level experience, at least 64 college credits with 21 in ECE, and a track record of operational excellence, staff development, and community engagement.

Qualifications

• 2–3 years of experience as a Child Care Center Director.
• Currently serving or recently served in a Director-level childcare leadership role.
• Minimum of 64 college credits, including at least 21 credits in Early Childhood Education.
• Demonstrated success leading and developing teams.
• Experience improving center operations and supporting enrollment growth.
• Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and relationship-management skills.
• Customer-service mindset and commitment to creating an excellent experience for families.
• Experience using childcare management software and other technology to support center operations.

Responsibilities

• Overseeing all daily center operations and maintaining a safe, welcoming, organized, and nurturing environment.
• Leading, supporting, and developing teachers and administrative staff.
• Recruiting, hiring, onboarding, coaching, mentoring, and retaining qualified team members.
• Establishing clear expectations and building a culture of accountability, collaboration, and professional growth.
• Maintaining a strong and positive presence with children, families, staff, and the surrounding community.
• Building meaningful relationships with current families through responsive and proactive communication.
• Supporting prospective families through tours, follow-up, and an outstanding enrollment experience.
• Driving enrollment growth through strong customer service, community engagement, and consistent lead management.
• Managing staff schedules and ensuring classrooms are appropriately covered.
• Monitoring labor expenses, financial performance, and other key operational goals.
• Ensuring compliance with state licensing requirements, health and safety standards, and internal policies.
• Partnering with ownership on center performance, growth initiatives, and opportunities for improvement.
• Using childcare management systems and reporting tools to track enrollment, staffing, compliance, and center performance.
• Supporting teachers and leadership staff in maintaining high standards of educational quality and family service.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Organizational skills

Relationship management

Enrollment growth

Customer service mindset

Education

64 college credits incl 21 ECE

Bachelor’s degree in ECE/Child Development

Tools

Procare

Paycom

CRM platforms

Job description

Make a Meaningful Impact as an Early Childhood Leader

A successful early childhood center needs more than strong operations. It needs a leader who can build trust, develop a great team, support families, and create an environment where children can thrive.

A well-established early learning center is seeking an experienced Center Director to oversee day-to-day operations and help guide the continued growth and success of the school.

This position is ideal for a hands-on childcare leader who enjoys coaching teachers, strengthening family relationships, improving enrollment, maintaining high standards, and bringing consistency and accountability to a busy center.

Working closely with ownership and an Assistant Director, the Center Director will lead staff, oversee operations, support educational quality, and ensure that children, families, and employees have an exceptional experience.

Compensation and Benefits

• Annual salary of $70,000–$80,000, depending on experience
• Performance-based bonus opportunities
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Generous Paid Time Off
• Additional voluntary benefits
• Support from engaged ownership and an experienced leadership team
• The opportunity to lead an established early childhood center
• A highly visible role with the ability to make a lasting impact on children, families, and educators

Position Responsibilities

The Center Director will be responsible for:

• Overseeing all daily center operations and maintaining a safe, welcoming, organized, and nurturing environment.
• Leading, supporting, and developing teachers and administrative staff.
• Recruiting, hiring, onboarding, coaching, mentoring, and retaining qualified team members.
• Establishing clear expectations and building a culture of accountability, collaboration, and professional growth.
• Maintaining a strong and positive presence with children, families, staff, and the surrounding community.
• Building meaningful relationships with current families through responsive and proactive communication.
• Supporting prospective families through tours, follow-up, and an outstanding enrollment experience.
• Driving enrollment growth through strong customer service, community engagement, and consistent lead management.
• Managing staff schedules and ensuring classrooms are appropriately covered.
• Monitoring labor expenses, financial performance, and other key operational goals.
• Ensuring compliance with state licensing requirements, health and safety standards, and internal policies.
• Partnering with ownership on center performance, growth initiatives, and opportunities for improvement.
• Using childcare management systems and reporting tools to track enrollment, staffing, compliance, and center performance.
• Supporting teachers and leadership staff in maintaining high standards of educational quality and family service.
• Addressing operational, employee, and family concerns promptly and professionally.

The Leader We’re Seeking

The ideal candidate is a confident and approachable leader who can bring out the best in others, make sound decisions, solve problems, and maintain high expectations.

This person should be comfortable balancing people leadership, family relationships, enrollment, compliance, staffing, and financial responsibilities.

The successful candidate will be someone who:

• Leads with consistency, professionalism, and empathy.
• Builds trust with teachers, families, and leadership.
• Holds team members accountable while providing support and guidance.
• Communicates clearly and handles difficult situations thoughtfully.
• Understands that school culture and family experience are essential to long-term success.
• Is comfortable being highly involved in daily center operations.

Required Qualifications

• At least 2–3 years of experience as a Child Care Center Director.
• Currently serving, or recently served, in a Director-level childcare leadership role.
• Minimum of 64 college credits, including at least 21 credits in Early Childhood Education.
• Demonstrated success leading and developing teams.
• Experience improving center operations and supporting enrollment growth.
• Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and relationship-management skills.
• A customer-service mindset and a commitment to creating an excellent experience for families.
• Experience using childcare management software and other technology to support center operations.
• Ability to work a rotating leadership schedule that includes opening the school three days per week and closing the school two days per week.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field.
• Experience with accreditation programs such as NAEYC or NACE.
• Experience using Procare, Paycom, CRM platforms, or comparable childcare and business-management systems.

Take the Next Step in Your Leadership Career

This opportunity is well suited for an experienced childcare leader who wants to take ownership of a center, strengthen its culture, and help teachers and families succeed.

The Center Director will have the opportunity to lead an established school, develop a strong team, improve performance, and create a positive experience for every child and family.

This search is being conducted confidentially. Additional details about the school will be shared with qualified candidates as they move forward in the process.

Qualified early childhood leaders who are ready to bring energy, accountability, and purpose to their next Director role are encouraged to apply.