Director of Operations

Sonnetschool; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance

401(k) Plan

Paid Time Off & Holidays

Employee Childcare Discount

Professional development

Job summary

Yellow Brick Road in Iowa is seeking a Director of Operations to ensure our school runs smoothly, maintain licensing standards, and deliver a warm, nurturing environment for children, families, and staff. You will lead teams, collaborate with marketing, enrollment, and finance, and drive operational excellence and innovation across the center.

With a minimum of five years in childcare management, you will coach staff, manage budgets, and oversee program quality while expanding community reach.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in childcare management or a similar leadership role.
• Demonstrated leadership abilities with a track record of team building and staff development.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office; CRM experience and parent communication apps a plus.
• Comprehensive knowledge of childcare regulations, licensing standards, and industry best practices.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills.
• Strong analytical, strategic planning, and financial management capabilities.
• Flexibility to adapt to changing goals and quotas within the childcare center environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide hands-on leadership to the center's staff and foster a culture of professionalism aligned with the company’s mission and values.
• Lead staff meetings, training, and performance reviews to keep the team motivated.
• Address staffing issues promptly to maintain a positive working environment.
• Collaborate with marketing, enrollment, career coordinators, and the finance team to maintain communication.
• Ensure the center meets licensing and quality standards and manages classroom ratio per state laws.
• Coach staff with instructional techniques and document observations for quality improvement.
• Develop and update policies/guidelines to address evolving needs and best practices.
• Organize parent outreach, community partnerships, and school tours to engage families.
• Oversee budgets, cost management, enrollment growth, and financial sustainability.

Skills

Team leadership

Staff development

Communication

Financial management

Strategic planning

Analytical

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

CRM experience

Parent communication apps

Job description

Description

At Yellow Brick Road, we’re on a mission to put good humans into the world and leave it better than we found it. Our team creates warm, inclusive, and joyful environments where children, families, and staff can thrive. If you’re energized by purpose, connection, and meaningful work, you’ll love being part of a community that invests in your growth and celebrates what makes you exceptional.

The Director of Operations will play a crucial role in ensuring the school’s operations run smoothly by adhering to all company and regulatory requirements. You will provide an enriching experience by making our school’s the most fun, nurturing, and positive environments for our students, staff and families through collaboration, communication, and innovation! The Director will play a pivotal role in not only maintaining the school’s high standards but also in driving its growth and expanding its reach within the community, ensuring that even more children benefit from the company’s exceptional care and educational programs.

What You’ll Do:

Team Leadership

• Provide hands‑on leadership to the center’s staff, setting clear expectations and fostering a culture of professionalism that promotes the company’s mission and core values.
• Conduct regular staff meetings, training sessions, and performance reviews to ensure team members are well‑equipped and motivated.
• Address any staffing issues, concerns, or conflicts promptly and professionally to maintain a positive working environment.
• Hold themselves and their team accountable?
• Develop, train, and continually coach staff members on your team in accordance with compliance and program expectations.
• Collaborate with other company departments including but not limited to marketing, enrollment, career coordinators, and the financial team to maintain communication in accordance with company policy and procedure.

Program Development and Quality Assurance

• Ensure the center meets and exceeds the company’s quality standards, as well as state and local licensing requirements.
• Ratio and Classroom Distribution is always met in accordance with state laws.
• Implement regular classroom observations, assessments, evaluations, and audits of curriculum and program philosophy, facilities, and staff performance to maintain high‑quality care using instructional coaching techniques, providing appropriate documentation for each.?
• Maintain and update [as given by the company] policies, procedures, and guidelines to address evolving needs and best practices.

Parent and Community Engagement

• Build and cultivate strong relationships with current and prospective parents, guardians, and families through open communication, regular updates, and involvement opportunities.
• Regular oversight of teacher communication to parents via parent communication app.
• Organize and facilitate parent intake meetings, family events, and community outreach programs to enhance engagement and support.
• Collaborate with local schools, organizations, and agencies to provide resources, referrals, and seamless transitions for children and families.

Financial Management

• Oversee and manage the center’s budgets, ensuring optimal allocation of labor cost‑effectiveness, and financial sustainability.
• Regularly examine expenses, and financial trends to make informed decisions, adjustments, and projections to all budgetary expectations.
• Monitor and maintain company given enrollment goals and quotas to meet growth objectives while upholding quality standards.
• Partner with Finance Team to address any irregularities and proactively solve issues.?

Organizational Health

• Work with peers and other leadership within the company to align with company values, mission and goals.?
• Meet and maintain enrollment quotas and goals by frequently evaluating marketing efforts, prospective parent communication and follow up, and initiating quality school tours.?

What You’ll Need:

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in childcare management, early childhood education, or a similar leadership role.
• Demonstrated leadership abilities with a track record of team building, staff development, and operational excellence.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite; CRM Experience and experience with parent communication apps a plus.
• Comprehensive knowledge of childcare regulations, licensing standards, and industry best practices.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and relationship‑building skills.
• Strong analytical, strategic planning, and financial management capabilities.
• Flexibility to adapt to changing goal and quota needs, schedules, and priorities within the childcare center environment.

Other Requirements:

• Must be able to make the commute to the assigned school.
• Must possess a valid CPR/First Aid certification, or willing to obtain within 30 days of employment.
• Must be able and willing to perform physically demanding work, such as (but not limited to) lifting, carrying, kneeling, crouching, etc. and up to 65lbs.
• Must have initiative and a “can do!” attitude.
• Maintain a flexible and open‑minded mindset.
• Must be able to regularly use technology such as Microsoft Office, online lesson planning, daily reporting
• Act as a classroom Teacher and Mentor Teacher as needed
• Other duties as assigned.

What We Offer:

• Ongoing Professional Development & Growth Opportunities
• 401(k) Plan
• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Paid Time Off & Paid Holidays
• Employee Childcare Discount

The starting pay range for this position is $40,000 to $50,000 annually and is applicable for candidates who will be working in the following location[s] Iowa. This range is subject to adjustment for other geographic work locations. In addition to geographic location, Yellow Brick Road considers education, experience, internal equity, market demands, and other qualifying criteria to determine starting salaries.

In addition to compensation benefits, Yellow Brick Road offers a variety of health and welfare benefits, based on eligibility, including medical and dental insurance, life insurance, and career development.