Preschool Executive Director
The Goddard School of Deerfield
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
Qualifications
- 5+ years of experience in early childhood education, including at least 3 in a leadership role.
- Commitment to staff growth and well-being.
- A heart for children.
Responsibilities
- Oversee daily operations, staff scheduling, hiring, and family communications.
- Ensure compliance with licensing and quality assurance standards.
- Recruit, train, mentor, and retain a strong team of educators.
Skills
Education
Job description
Join to apply for the Preschool Executive Director role at The Goddard School of Deerfield
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This range is provided by The Goddard School of Deerfield. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.
$65,000.00/yr - $80,000.00/yr
- Salary: $65,000–$80,000 base + performance-based bonuses throughout the year
- Health Insurance: Blue Cross Blue Shield medical, dental, vision – We cover 50% of your monthly payment!
- Time Off: 15 PTO days in Year 1 + all holidays + one paid week off for Winter Break
- Childcare: Deep staff discounts
- Retirement: 401K with company match
- Professional Development: Tuition reimbursement, Goddard Director's Convention, and more!
After three successful years, our wonderful Executive Director has been promoted to Regional Director – and we’re now looking for a passionate, experienced leader to take the reins!
The Executive Director at The Goddard School of Deerfield is the heartbeat of our community—responsible for the daily operations, staff support, family engagement, and upholding the high standards of care and education that families trust and love.
- Oversee the day-to-day operations of the school, including staff scheduling, hiring, events, and family communications
- Ensure compliance with DCFS licensing and Goddard Quality Assurance standards
- Coordinate and celebrate community milestones (birthdays, anniversaries, etc.)
- Recruit, train, mentor, and retain a strong team of educators
- Lead monthly faculty meetings and bi-annual in-service training
- Conduct regular performance evaluations and create individualized growth plans
- Support teachers in delivering a developmentally appropriate, engaging curriculum
- Ensure consistency in classroom management and lesson implementation
- Regularly observe classrooms and provide constructive feedback
- Manage payroll tasks including timecard reviews and PTO approvals
- Oversee budgeting and purchasing
- Keep employee records organized and up to date
- Build warm, trust-based relationships with families
- Address parent concerns promptly and thoughtfully
- Represent the school at community events and maintain a visible social media presence
- Maintain a safe, clean, and welcoming facility
- Oversee emergency drills, incident reports, and daily health/safety protocols
- Manage maintenance needs, both indoors and outdoors
- Use platforms like Outlook, Teams, Excel, OneNote, Constant Contact, Canva, Zoom, and Adobe PDF for day-to-day tasks
- Create clear and professional communication for families and staff
- Organize and manage digital files across shared drives
- Work independently and collaboratively to move the school forward
- Lead with empathy, integrity, and a problem-solving mindset
- Be a steady and inspiring presence for staff, families, and children alike
Our school is open Monday–Friday, 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM.
We typically adhere to a 9-hour workday, but we’re looking for someone who can offer flexibility as needed.
- Occasional longer days may be required
- Monthly virtual all-team meetings (after hours)
- 2–3 weekend events per year (celebrations, community outreach, etc.)
What We’re Looking For:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field (required)
- Director-qualified by DCFS (required)
- 5+ years of experience in early childhood education, including at least 3 in a leadership role
- Strong organizational and communication skills
- Tech-savvy with the ability to train and support others in digital tools
- A heart for children and a commitment to staff growth and well-being
At The Goddard School of Deerfield, we believe in growing together. We support our staff with the same care we give our students—because happy teachers create thriving classrooms. We're seeking someone who’s not just qualified, but dedicated, dependable, and here for the long haul.
Ready to step into a leadership role where you’ll be valued, supported, and inspired every day? APPLY TODAY!
- Seniority levelExecutive
- Employment typeFull-time
- Job functionEducation and Training
- IndustriesEducation Administration Programs and Education
Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at The Goddard School of Deerfield by 2x
Medical insurance
Vision insurance
401(k)
Child care support
Tuition assistance
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