Child Care Director

Bright Horizons Family Solutions, LLC.; Des Moines (IA); Hybrid; USD 72,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid time off

401(k) plan

Disability insurance

Life insurance

Career development

Job summary

Bright Horizons is seeking a Center Director in the Des Moines area to lead daily operations, supervise staff, and drive program quality at a MercyOne team site. You will oversee enrollment, marketing, budgeting, and family communication while ensuring compliance with licensing and safety standards.

The role requires an associate or higher degree in a related field and at least four years of leadership in a child care setting; a bachelor’s degree is preferred.

Qualifications

• Associate or higher degree in early childhood education or related field is required.
• At least four years of leadership experience in high‑quality child care settings.
• Experience in both teaching and administration of a child care center is required.
• Strong understanding of center quality, health, safety and licensing standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead hiring and create a motivating, inclusive work environment.
• Collaborate with leadership to evaluate and ensure program quality standards.
• Manage enrollment, marketing, billing, and accounts payable while ensuring budget compliance.
• Build strong relationships with families, clients, staff, and licensing bodies.
• Fulfill mandated reporter requirements per state agency guidelines.

Skills

Leadership experience

Staff development

Family and client communication

Education

Associate degree or higher in early childhood education or related field

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Job description

Join Bright Horizons as a Child Care Center Director at MercyOne, 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.

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
• Fulfill mandated reporter requirements as defined by the appropriate State agency. This includes reporting any suspected cases of child abuse or neglect to the agency, informing the regional manager, and promptly taking steps to address any allegations

Qualifications

Candidates must pass required state and company background checks, and meet state and company minimum education and experience requirements:

• Associate or higher degree in early childhood education, education, or child development related field is required; bachelor’s degree is preferred
• 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 Des Moines area.

Compensation

The annual salary for this position is between $72,000 - $75,000 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 a bonus of up to 10% of their salary, based upon metrics, along with a yearly Center Director Recognition award of $2,500.

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

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-by-case basis.