Child Care Center Director -Manhattan, New York *NYS Certification Required*

BHCC Bright Horizons Children's Centers, LLC; New York (NY); On-site; USD 101,000 - 123,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Paid vacation

Paid sick leave

Parental leave

Job summary

Bright Horizons Child Care Center Director in New York City leads daily operations, ensures program quality, and builds strong partnerships with families, staff, and clients while guiding excellence and compliance.

The role requires NY teaching certification, a higher education degree, and extensive leadership experience in high-quality child care. You will supervise staff, manage enrollment, and ensure health and licensing standards in line with Bright Horizons' mission.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Education is required.
• New York State Teaching Certification is required.
• 4 years of leadership/supervisory experience required.
• Experience in both teaching and administration of a child care center is required.
• Strong understanding of center quality, compliance, health and licensing standards is required.

Responsibilities

• Lead hiring and create a motivating, inclusive work environment that retains staff
• Collaborate with the leadership team to evaluate and ensure program quality standards
• Manage enrollment, marketing, billing, and accounts payable, while ensuring budget compliance
• Build strong relationships and communicate proactively with families, clients, staff, and licensing

Skills

Leadership experience

Mentoring teachers

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Education

New York State Teaching Certification

Job description

Join Bright Horizons as a Child Care Center Director , where your leadership helps create a high‑quality, thriving early childhood center that supports children, families, and educators alike. Grounded in our mission and values, you’ll build strong partnerships with staff, families, and clients while guiding program excellence and operational success. From leading daily operations and supporting enrollment to mentoring teachers and welcoming new families, your work will shape a thriving center and make a meaningful, lasting impact.

Child Care Center DirectorLocations:

• Bright Horizons at East 64th
• Bright Horizons at West 14th
• Bright Horizons at East 92nd

Responsibilities:

• - Lead hiring and create a motivating, inclusive work environment that retains staff
• - Collaborate with the leadership team to evaluate and ensure program quality standards
• - Manage enrollment, marketing, billing, and accounts payable, while ensuring budget compliance
• - Build strong relationships and communicate proactively with families, clients, staff, and licensing

Qualifications:

• - Candidates must pass required state and company background checks, and meet state and company minimum education and experience requirements:
• - Bachelor’s or Master's degree in Education is required
• - New York State Teaching Certification (B-2, N-6, 1-6, Special Education) is required
• - 4 years of leadership/supervisory experience - Required
• - At least four years of leadership experience in high-quality child care, daycare, or preschool settings is required
• - Experience in both teaching (infant, toddler, or preschool) and administration of a child care center is required
• - Strong understanding of center quality, compliance, health, safety and licensing standards is required

Physical Requirements:

This position requires the employee to comply with all applicable federal, state, local, Bright Horizons’, and client site requirements concerning immunizations, employment physical/screening, and health and safety training.

If hired, you will work in person in an early education/preschool child care center to provide center supervision, curriculum delivery, business management, and customer and client services per Bright Horizons’ policies, procedures and guidance, in compliance with any applicable laws and regulations, and in a manner that will ensure safety of children in Bright Horizons care and the employee.

This role has a mixture of duties including office/computer/phone-based work, in-person supervision of care delivery and employees throughout all areas of the center, family/prospective family interactions which may take place in various areas of the center, and the ability to temporarily serve as a supervising caregiver for relatively brief periods of time on an as‑needed basis (e.g., covering employee breaks or unscheduled absences).

The full set of physical requirements for this role can be reviewed at https://careers.brighthorizons.com/job-descriptions . Bright Horizons complies with all laws that require reasonable accommodation for qualifying disabilities and/or pregnancy‑related limitations.

This position requires in‑person work in the New York, New York area.

Compensation:

The annual salary for this position is between $101,000 – $122,700 annually

The pay range listed here is what Bright Horizons in good faith anticipates offering for this job opening. Actual compensation offers within this range will depend on a variety of factors including experience, education and training, certifications, geography, and other relevant business or organizational factors.

This position is also eligible for $5,000 payable after 100 days of employment.

Benefits:

Bright Horizons offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements:

• - Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• - Paid vacation, sick, holiday, and parental bonding leave
• - 401(k) retirement plan
• - Long‑term and short‑term disability insurance
• - Life insurance
• - Money‑saving discounts and financial planning tools
• - Career development opportunities and free college degrees for your teachers through our Horizons CDA & Degree Program
• - Caregiving support and resources for the children and adults in your family
• - Learn more at https://careers.brighthorizons.com/us/en/health-and-wellness

Compensation: $101,000 – $122,700 annually

Life at Bright Horizons:

At Bright Horizons, you’re more than your job title — you’re the difference . Whether you’re nurturing a child’s first steps or supporting the systems behind the scenes, your work creates real impact. We’re a community that celebrates individuality, invests in your growth, and supports your whole self. Because when you thrive, so do the children, families, and clients we serve. Join us and help build a brighter future — for yourself and for others.

Bright Horizons provides equal opportunity in all aspects of employment and does not discriminate against any individual on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, national origin, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, or local law. Bright Horizons complies with the laws and regulations described in the following federal government resources: Know Your Rights , Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA ).

If you require assistance or a reasonable accommodation in completing these application materials or any aspect of the application and hiring process, please contact the recruitment helpdesk at 855-877-6866 or [e-mail] . Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case‑based basis.