Early Childhood Education - Assistant Director

Tierra Encantada; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 49,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Tierra Encantada in Minneapolis is seeking an Assistant Director to enhance educational quality and support operations. This full-time role involves administrative management, team leadership, and compliance oversight. Candidates must have a degree in Early Childhood Education, strong communication skills, and be bilingual in Spanish.

Benefits

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Paid parental leave

12 paid holidays

15 days paid time off

401(k) with employer match

Performance bonus

Discounted childcare

Company paid professional development

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years in a managerial position in daycare or educational setting.
• Bilingual Spanish proficiency is required.
• Familiarity with childcare licensing and safety protocols.

Responsibilities

• Assist in managing daily administrative functions and enrollment tasks.
• Lead and develop a team of staff members.
• Collaborate to enhance educational programs and maintain compliance.

Skills

Communication

Leadership

Team Building

Problem Solving

Customer Experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education

Tools

Microsoft 365

Google Suites

Job description

About Tierra Encantada

Tierra Encantada, headquartered in Minneapolis, MN is the leader in Spanish immersion early education, and provides education and care to children 6 weeks through 6 years of age. Our award-winning concept has received numerous accolades, including Top 50 Franchise Companies Doing the Most to Champion Diversity by Entrepreneur Magazine, 10 Hottest Franchise Businesses in America by Inc Magazine, and The Americas' Fastest Growing Companies. Each Tierra Encantada location is privately owned and operated by either Tierra Encantada Franchising LLC franchisees or by the corporate office (Tierra Encantada LLC). Franchise owners set their own wage and benefit programs, which vary by location.

Position Overview

The Assistant Director at Tierra Encantada plays a crucial role in supporting the center's operations, maintaining high standards of educational quality, and enhancing team culture. The Assistant Director helps lead the center in achieving enrollment targets, fostering positive staff relationships, and maintaining a safe, compliant, and welcoming environment for children and families.

Key Responsibilities

As the Assistant Director, you will work closely with the Center Director to support the center's success in the following areas:

Leadership and Team Support

• Assist the Center Director in embodying Tierra Encantada's core values in all aspects of center operations.


• Foster a collaborative team environment through coaching, feedback, and recognition, while supporting staff development and retention initiatives.


• Step into a leadership role during the Center Director's absence, ensuring seamless center operations and consistent staff performance.


• Lead a team of floats, aids and kitchen staff.


• Cover the classrooms and kitchen when needed due to breaks, PTO or sickness.

Administrative Tasks and Parent Communication

• Manage daily administrative functions, including enrollment tasks, handling phone calls, responding to emails, updating child records, and ensuring timely communication with families.


• Serve as a point of contact for parents, addressing concerns, resolving issues, and communicating updates related to their child's progress, center policies, and upcoming events.


• Regularly update parents on center activities and important announcements, promoting transparent and proactive communication to enhance parent satisfaction.


• Coordinate parent-teacher meetings, ensuring open lines of communication and active parental involvement in their child's education.


• Maintain organization within facilities.


• Oversee purchasing of food and supplies within budget.

Operations and Compliance

• Support the Center Director in managing daily operations, ensuring compliance with childcare licensing regulations and internal policies.


• Oversee the facility's safety protocols, conducting regular safety drills and ensuring the center remains a secure environment for children, staff, and families.


• Assist in monitoring staff schedules, managing time-off requests, and maintaining accurate payroll records to ensure proper staffing levels.

Educational Quality and Program Management

• Collaborate with the Center Director to review and enhance the educational programs, maintaining Tierra Encantada's high standards of early childhood development.


• Work with teachers to monitor child development, ensuring comprehensive assessments and strong communication with families about their child's progress.


• Support the maintenance of accreditation standards and the continuous improvement of educational quality.

Community Engagement and Customer Service

• Assist in local marketing initiatives to promote the center, supporting enrollment growth by participating in open houses, community events, and family engagement activities.


• Build strong relationships with families, providing responsive feedback and fostering a welcoming community that ensures high satisfaction and retention.

Position Requirements

• Must have a minimum of 2 years in a managerial position, daycare, or educational setting is a plus


• Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or related field, or equivalent experience.


• Bilingual Spanish proficiency


• Strong communication and leadership skills, with an emphasis on team building and problem-solving.


• Familiarity with childcare licensing requirements, safety protocols, and best practices in early education.


• CPR, First Aid, and Food Protection Manager certification (or willingness to complete within 90 days of hire).


• Must be able to lift up to 40 lbs


• Must have excellent proficiency in Microsoft 365 (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and Google Suites (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms)


• Must have the perceptual and cognitive judgment to be able to mitigate and respond to family concerns


• Proven success in customer experience ratings is a plus


• Proven success in retention and onboarding of new hire experience is a plus


• Excellent hearing and eyesight; capable of bending, crouching, reaching, and lifting up to 50 lbs in scenarios involving child handling, safety, and emergencies.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary range is $49,000 - $56,000 depending on qualifications, education, and experience, and position is eligible for performance bonus. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance, paid parental leave, 12 paid holidays, 15 days paid time off, 401(k) with employer match, performance bonus, discounted childcare and waitlist priority for enrollment, and company paid professional development. Once a job offer has been accepted, the candidate must pass a background check and fingerprinting. E-verify is used to verify work authorization status.

Job Type: Full-time Exempt

Pay: $49,000.00 - $56,000.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k)

Dental insurance

Employee discount

Health insurance

Paid time off

Parental leave

Schedule:

8 hour shift

Monday to Friday (Occasional nights/weekends - a few times per year for special events)

Ability to Commute:

Minneapolis, MN

Ability to Relocate:

Minneapolis, MN: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person / Onsite