Center Director

Butterfly Bunch; Royal Oak (MI); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Butterfly Bunch in Royal Oak, MI seeks an experienced Childcare Center Director to lead our early childhood program. You will balance child, family, staff, and business needs while driving growth and maintaining high program quality.

The successful candidate will oversee daily operations, ensure licensing and safety standards, coach staff, and partner with leadership to strengthen systems and culture. A strong leader with organizational finesse is essential.

Qualifications

• Leadership experience in early childhood settings.
• Meets Michigan licensing requirements for a childcare director.
• Strong knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices.
• Ability to coach staff and drive accountability.
• Excellent communication with families and teams.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operations of the childcare center.
• Ensure licensing compliance, ratios, and safety.
• Staff scheduling, supervision, and development.
• Recruiting, onboarding, and retention of employees.
• Lead curriculum alignment with program goals.
• Partner with admin and leadership team on growth.
• Set policies, procedures, and operational systems.
• Foster a positive workplace culture focused on teamwork.

Skills

Leadership

Staff coaching

Communication

Organizational skills

Decision making

Tools

Childcare software

Technology use

Job description

Childcare Center Director

Butterfly Bunch is seeking an experienced and motivated Childcare Center Director to lead our early childhood program in Royal Oak, Michigan.

We are looking for a strong leader who can oversee the daily operations of the center while also helping Butterfly Bunch continue to grow and improve. The ideal candidate is organized, dependable, confident in their decision‑making, and able to balance the needs of children, families, staff, and the business.

This position requires someone who is comfortable taking ownership of their role. Our Director should be able to identify problems, develop solutions, follow through on expectations, and provide consistent leadership to the team. We want someone who can maintain the systems that are working while also recognizing opportunities to make our program stronger.

Responsibilities

The Childcare Center Director will:

• Oversee the daily operations of the childcare center
• Ensure compliance with Michigan childcare licensing rules and center policies
• Maintain appropriate classroom ratios, staffing, and supervision
• Lead, support, coach, and hold staff accountable to center expectations
• Assist with recruiting, interviewing, onboarding, and retaining quality employees
• Oversee staff scheduling and make adjustments based on enrollment and center needs
• Conduct staff observations, provide feedback, and support professional development
• Work closely with the administrative and curriculum leadership team
• Promote consistent, high‑quality practices throughout classrooms
• Build positive and professional relationships with children and families
• Respond to parent questions and concerns in a timely and professional manner
• Support enrollment, tours, family retention, and the overall family experience
• Monitor required staff and child documentation for accuracy and completion
• Ensure health, safety, emergency, CACFP, and licensing procedures are consistently followed
• Help develop, implement, and maintain policies, procedures, and operational systems
• Communicate expectations clearly and ensure appropriate follow‑through
• Identify areas where the center can operate more efficiently or effectively
• Support company goals and participate in planning for continued growth
• Create a positive workplace culture built around teamwork, accountability, communication, and professionalism
• Step into classrooms or assist with center operations when necessary

What We're Looking For

We are looking for someone who:

• Has previous leadership experience in an early childhood or childcare setting
• Meets Michigan licensing requirements for a childcare center program director
• Has a strong understanding of early childhood development and developmentally appropriate practices
• Understands childcare licensing, ratios, supervision, health, and safety requirements
• Is confident leading employees and having difficult conversations when necessary
• Can coach employees rather than simply correct problems
• Communicates professionally with staff, families, and outside partners
• Is highly organized and able to manage multiple priorities
• Takes initiative and follows projects through to completion
• Can make sound decisions without needing constant direction
• Is comfortable learning and using technology and childcare management systems
• Is open to feedback and willing to continually improve
• Wants to contribute ideas and be an active part of the company's growth
• Understands that successful leadership includes both supporting employees and holding them accountable

About Butterfly Bunch

Butterfly Bunch is an established early childhood program in Royal Oak serving children from infancy through preschool, including GSRP programming.

We believe a successful childcare program starts with strong relationships, clear expectations, quality classrooms, and a supported teaching team. As we continue to grow, we are looking for a Director who wants to grow with us and play an active role in shaping the future of Butterfly Bunch.

This is not simply an administrative position. We are looking for someone who wants to lead, problem‑solve, develop people, strengthen systems, and help move the company forward.