Director, Early Childhood Education

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

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus opportunities

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Paid time off

Voluntary benefits

Collaborative leadership team

Job summary

Hire Up Recruiting is seeking an experienced Director to lead an established early childhood education center in Elmhurst, IL. You will drive enrollment growth, elevate educational quality, and maintain safe, engaging environments for children and families.

You will partner with ownership and an Assistant Director to set strategy, mentor teachers, manage operations and budgets, and foster a collaborative, high-performing team that delivers outstanding results.

Qualifications

• Experience leading childcare teams and centers.
• Proven ability to grow enrollment and deliver high-quality programs.
• Strong people management and customer service orientation.
• Experience using childcare management software to support operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily center operations to ensure a safe, welcoming environment.
• Recruit, coach, and retain exceptional teachers and administrative staff.
• Drive enrollment through tours, community partnerships, and outstanding service.
• Maintain compliance with licensing, safety standards, and policies.
• Collaborate with ownership to improve operations and growth.

Skills

Leadership experience

Team development

Enrollment growth

Customer service mindset

Communication

Organizational skills

Relationship-building

Problem solving

Education

64 college credits (21 credits in Early Childhood Education)

Director-level leadership experience

Tools

Procare

Paycom

CRM platforms

Job description

We're seeking an experienced, passionate, and results-driven Director to lead a well-established early childhood education center. This role is ideal for a proven childcare leader who thrives on building high-performing teams, creating an exceptional experience for children and families, driving enrollment growth, and maintaining the highest standards of educational quality, safety, and operational excellence.

As the Director, you'll serve as the face of the school and the driving force behind its success. You'll partner closely with ownership and an Assistant Director to lead daily operations, inspire your team, support teacher development, cultivate lasting relationships with families, and ensure the center continues to grow and excel.

If you're the type of leader who believes culture matters, accountability drives results, and every child deserves an outstanding early learning experience, we'd love to meet you.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive salary of$70,000–$80,000, based on experience

• Performance-based bonus opportunities

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance

• Generous Paid Time Off

• Additional voluntary benefits

• The opportunity to lead an established center with the support of engaged ownership and a collaborative leadership team

• A chance to make a lasting impact on children, families, and educators every day

What You'll Do

As Director, you will:

• Lead all aspects of daily center operations, ensuring a safe, welcoming, organized, and nurturing environment for children, families, and staff.

• Recruit, hire, coach, mentor, and retain exceptional teachers and administrative team members while fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and professional growth.

• Drive enrollment through outstanding customer service, strong community relationships, effective tours, and consistent follow-up with prospective families.

• Build trust with current families by delivering an exceptional experience and maintaining open, proactive communication.

• Manage staffing schedules, labor budgets, financial performance, and operational goals to ensure a healthy, successful center.

• Maintain full compliance with all state licensing regulations, health and safety standards, and company policies.

• Partner with ownership to identify opportunities for continuous improvement, operational excellence, and long-term growth.

• Utilize childcare management software and reporting tools to monitor enrollment, staffing, compliance, and overall center performance.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for a confident leader who can motivate a team, solve problems, make thoughtful decisions, and create an environment where children, families, and employees thrive.

Required Qualifications

• 2–3+ years of experience as a Child Care Center Director

• Currently serving—or recently served—in a Director-level leadership role

• Minimum of 64 college credits, including 21 credits in Early Childhood Education

• Demonstrated success leading teams, improving operations, and driving enrollment growth

• Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and relationship-building skills

• Excellent customer service mindset with a passion for creating exceptional family experiences

• Experience using childcare management software and technology to support operations

• Ability to work a rotating leadership schedule, opening the school three days per week and closing 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 similar management systems

Ready to Lead?

This isn't just another Director position—it's an opportunity to shape the culture of a thriving school, develop an outstanding team, and make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families every day.