District Support Director

The Gardner School; Brentwood (TN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The Gardner School seeks a District Support Director to serve as a district-level leadership resource across multiple campuses, providing operational execution, leadership coverage, and team support. The role partners with Executive School Directors and the District Manager to ensure consistency and high-quality experiences for children, families, and staff.

Ideal candidates bring a Bachelor’s in early childhood education or related field, Director Qualified status, and proven leadership in

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or related field preferred.
• Director Qualified in the relevant state/market.
• Previous leadership experience in an early childhood education environment required.
• Demonstrated ability to lead with professionalism, flexibility, and strong communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to adapt quickly to changing operational and school needs.
• Ability to travel regularly between schools within the district.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership coverage and operational support across district schools based on business and staffing needs.
• Support schools during leadership transitions, leaves, staffing gaps, enrollment growth, onboarding periods, or other operational needs.
• Partner with Executive School Directors and school leadership teams to support day-to-day school operations and maintain alignment with The Gardner School standards and expectations.
• Help ensure consistency in operational execution, family experience, and leadership practices across district schools.
• Support classroom coverage and staffing coordination when needed to maintain safe and effective school operations.
• Help identify operational gaps, escalate concerns appropriately, and support follow-through on action items and operational priorities.

Skills

Leadership

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Interpersonal skills

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or related field

Director Qualified (state/market)

Job description

It's fun to work in a company where people truly BELIEVE in what they're doing! We're committed to bringing passion and customer focus to the business.

Position Summary

The District Support Director is a district-level school leadership role that provides operational and leadership support across multiple schools within The Gardner School. Reporting to the District Manager, this role serves as a flexible leadership resource for the district, supporting schools with operational execution, leadership coverage, team support, and key school initiatives based on business needs. This position partners closely with Executive School Directors and school leadership teams to help ensure operational consistency, strong execution, and a high-quality experience for children, families, and team members. The role may support schools during leadership transitions, staffing gaps, enrollment growth, onboarding periods, or other operational priorities. The District Support Director serves as both a district operational support leader and a developmental leadership role designed to expand readiness for future school leadership opportunities. Through hands-on district support experiences and partnership with Executive School Directors and the District Manager, this role provides exposure to the operational, leadership, and business responsibilities aligned with Executive School Director expectations.

Primary Responsibilities

School Leadership & Operational Support

• Provide leadership coverage and operational support across district schools based on business and staffing needs.
• Support schools during leadership transitions, leaves, staffing gaps, enrollment growth, onboarding periods, or other operational needs.
• Partner with Executive School Directors and school leadership teams to support day-to-day school operations and maintain alignment with The Gardner School standards and expectations.
• Help ensure consistency in operational execution, family experience, and leadership practices across district schools.
• Support classroom coverage and staffing coordination when needed to maintain safe and effective school operations.
• Help identify operational gaps, **escalate concerns appropriately, and support follow-through on action items and operational priorities. Support implementation of company initiatives, operational processes, and best practices across schools.
• Support compliance with licensing requirements, health and safety standards, and company policies.
• Help maintain organized school operations, operational readiness, and documentation standards.
• Support enrollment-related activities, including tours, family follow-up, lead management, and execution of school enrollment priorities.
• Assist with budget awareness and financial support activities, including labor management, supply oversight, expense awareness, and follow-through on district or school financial priorities.
• Assist with scheduling, ratio management, opening and closing responsibilities, and daily operational organization.
• Provide additional leadership support during high-volume operational periods, school events, enrollment initiatives, or special projects.
• Support implementation and follow-through of company initiatives, operational priorities, district initiatives and best practices across schools.

Leadership & Team Support

• Support Executive School Directors and Assistant Directors with operational priorities, team support, and school initiatives.
• Build positive relationships with children, families, and team members across district schools.
• Support onboarding, coaching, and development of school team members when appropriate.
• Help reinforce a positive, collaborative, and solutions-oriented culture within schools.
• Support family communication and service recovery efforts as needed.
• Model professionalism, accountability, flexibility, and leadership presence consistent with The Gardner School culture and expectations.

Leadership Development

• Partner with Executive School Directors and the District Manager to continue building leadership and operational capabilities.
• Gain exposure to school leadership responsibilities including staffing, enrollment, parent communication, compliance, team development, financial awareness, and operational planning.
• Participate in leadership development experiences and district-level initiatives designed to broaden operational knowledge and leadership capability.
• Continue developing decision-making, communication, organizational, and leadership skills through hands-on district support experiences.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, Business, or related field preferred.
• Director Qualified in the relevant state/market.
• Previous leadership experience in an early childhood education environment required.
• Demonstrated ability to lead with professionalism, flexibility, and strong communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to adapt quickly to changing operational and school needs.
• Ability to build strong relationships and collaborate effectively with multiple school teams.
• Working knowledge of licensing standards and early childhood school operations preferred.
• Ability to travel regularly between schools within the district.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• Frequent travel between schools within the district is required.
• Ability to move throughout the school environment, including classrooms and playgrounds.
• Ability to occasionally lift up to 40 pounds.
• Ability to supervise children and support classroom operations as needed.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule based on school and business needs.

The Gardner School extends equal employment opportunities to qualified applicants and employees on an equal basis regardless of an individual’s age, race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other reason prohibited by law.