Preschool Director: Education Leader & Community Builder

Chesterbrook-Academy; Cary (NC); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Paid holidays and sick days

401(k) plan with company match

Tuition discounts for your children

Education reimbursement and partner-sh

Job summary

Chesterbrook Academy is seeking a Preschool Principal to lead the academic, operational, and cultural life of our Cary campus. You will oversee instructional quality, enrollment, family engagement, licensing compliance, and financial stewardship while coaching faculty and staff.

This role requires a strategic, collaborative leader with strong educational judgment, operational acumen, and a commitment to high standards for student care and learning in a multisite school group.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field.
• Minimum of three years of experience in education administration or business administration.
• Minimum of one year of teaching experience; three years of teaching experience preferred.
• Meets all minimum education and experience requirements established by applicable state regulations and accrediting bodies, including any state-required director credentials or certifications.
• Demonstrated leadership experience with the ability to hire, coach, develop, evaluate, and hold employees accountable.
• Working knowledge of early childhood education, child development, instructional quality, licensing compliance, health and safety practices, and school operations.
• Ability to manage budgets, staffing plans, purchasing, enrollment priorities, and multiple operational responsibilities with accuracy and sound judgment.
• Strong communication, relationship-building, organization, problem solving, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to build a collaborative culture, navigate competing priorities, and lead effectively in a dynamic school environment.
• Commitment to family engagement, professional development, continuous improvement, and high standards for student care and learning.
• Ability to successfully pass state and federal background checks
• Compliance with all applicable state education, childcare licensing, and employment requirements.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership for the preschool, including the instructional program, daily operations, school culture, and the student and family experience.
• Lead the successful implementation of the Spring Education Curriculum and ensure developmentally appropriate, engaging, and high-quality learning experiences across classrooms.
• Recruit, hire, onboard, coach, develop, evaluate, and retain qualified faculty and staff while establishing clear expectations and accountability for performance.
• Observe classroom practice, provide actionable feedback, and support teachers in strengthening instruction, classroom management, family communication and professional growth.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and positive workplace culture in which employees feel supported, valued and responsible for shared school goals.
• Ensure a safe, clean, organized, and attractive school environment that supports learning and meets all health, safety, and operational expectations.
• Maintain compliance with applicable state and federal laws, childcare licensing requirements, accreditation standards, company policies, and required recordkeeping practices.
• Oversee staffing plans, scheduling, student supervision, emergency preparedness, and other daily operational processes necessary for a well-run preschool.
• Manage the school’s budget, profit and loss performance, purchasing, resource allocation, and financial controls in partnership with regional and organizational leadership.
• Drive enrollment growth and retention by partnering with admissions and marketing teams, engaging prospective families, supporting tours and events, and delivering an exceptional family experience.
• Build trusted relationships with current families through proactive, professional communication and timely, thoughtful resolution of questions or concerns.
• Develop strong relationships with community partners and represent Chesterbrook Academy through outreach, school events, and community engagement initiatives.
• Partner with other Chesterbrook Academy leaders to support continuity of care, student transitions, shared best practices, and a cohesive educational experience.
• Use enrollment, staffing, financial, operational, and student data to identify priorities, make informed decisions, and continuously strengthen school performance.
• Model professionalism, sound judgment, integrity, adaptability, and a visible commitment to children, families, employees, and the Chesterbrook Academy community.

Skills

Leadership

Budget management

Staff development

Enrollment growth

Communication

Family engagement

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education or related field

Job description

Chesterbrook Academy is seeking a Preschool Principal to lead the academic, operational, and cultural life of our Cary campus. You will oversee instructional quality, enrollment, family engagement, licensing compliance, and financial stewardship while coaching faculty and staff.

This role requires a strategic, collaborative leader with strong educational judgment, operational acumen, and a commitment to high standards for student care and learning in a multisite school group.