Childcare Executive Director

Bright Horizons; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 85,000 - 94,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental and vision insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Disability insurance

Life insurance

Career development opportunities

Free college degrees for teachers

Caregiving support

Job summary

Bright Horizons seeks an Executive Director for Johns Hopkins Child Care and Early Learning Center and Bayview Medical Center in Baltimore. You’ll lead program quality, enrollment, and operations, building a strong team and partnerships with families and the community.

You’ll guide compliance with NAEYC standards, Maryland Director Qualifications, and a culture that values inclusion, growth, and exceptional service for children and families.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or related field.
• 6+ years of leadership and center administration experience.
• Strong knowledge of NAEYC accreditation and licensing standards.
• Maryland Director Qualifications required.

Responsibilities

• Build and develop a strong team, including hiring, coaching, and supporting leaders and educators to grow and succeed
• Drive a positive and inclusive culture that promotes collaboration, retention, and a sense of belonging for staff, families, and children
• Lead program quality and compliance, ensuring your center exceeds NAEYC standards while delivering a safe, engaging, and developmentally appropriate environment
• Partner with families and the community to foster strong relationships, support engagement, and create a connected center experience
• Oversee business and operational performance, including enrollment, financial management, and day-to-day center operations

Skills

Leadership

Team building

Communication

Education sector experience

NAEYC knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or related field

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

Join Bright Horizons as an Executive Director at Johns Hopkins Child Care and Early Learning Center and Bayview Medical Center. Leading a high-quality early education program that supports children, families, and educators in reaching their full potential. In this role, you will set the tone for excellence by creating an inclusive, engaging environment that reflects our values and delivers an exceptional experience for every child and family.

As a leader, you will partner with your team, families, and clients to drive operational excellence, build meaningful relationships, and foster a culture where everyone feels supported, valued, and inspired to grow. Your leadership will shape a thriving center – from guiding program quality and mentoring staff to supporting enrollment and welcoming new families – making a meaningful and lasting impact every day.

Responsibilities

• Build and develop a strong team, including hiring, coaching, and supporting leaders and educators to grow and succeed
• Drive a positive and inclusive culture that promotes collaboration, retention, and a sense of belonging for staff, families, and children
• Lead program quality and compliance, ensuring your center exceeds NAEYC standards while delivering a safe, engaging, and developmentally appropriate environment
• Partner with families and the community to foster strong relationships, support engagement, and create a connected center experience
• Oversee business and operational performance, including enrollment, financial management, and day-to-day center operations

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or related field required; master’s preferred
• 6+ years of experience in early childhood education, including leadership and center administration required
• Strong knowledge of NAEYC accreditation and licensing standards required
• Must have Maryland Director Qualifications.
• Proven leadership, communication, and team-building skills
• Supervisory experience in a client-based, large, or multi-site child care center strongly preferred
• Experience working in a corporate environment preferred

Bring your leadership skills and passion for early childhood education to Bright Horizons, and be part of a community where people grow, futures are shaped, and lives are changed. We offer the rewards, opportunities, and support you deserve because making a difference goes both ways. We’re changing the world of work and family, and it starts with you. At Bright Horizons, you’re the difference.

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 Baltimore, MD area.

Compensation

The annual salary for this position is between $85,000 - $94,000 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

• 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: $85,000 - $94,000 / 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-by-case basis.