Program Director

Discovery Kidzone; Bozeman, Northern (MT, KY); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid time off

Employee childcare discount

Employee Assistance Program

Professional development assistance

Flexible scheduling opportunities

Job summary

Discovery Kidzone in Bozeman, MT seeks a Program Director to lead daily operations, culture, staffing, and program quality. You will work closely with the Regional Director and Ownership to ensure high standards for children, families, and team members.

This leadership role requires early childhood credentials, classroom leadership experience, and a servant-leadership mindset. You will coach teachers, manage staffing, ensure licensing compliance, and model DKZ's Core Values in every decision.

Qualifications

• Level 3+ Practitioner Registry in Montana.
• CDA / Associate or Bachelors in Early Childhood Education or related field.
• Montessori certification is a plus.
• 3+ years in licensed childcare/early childhood program.
• 1+ year in childcare leadership/management.
• Strong knowledge of early childhood ed, licensing, and developmentally appropriate practices.
• Proficient with Google Drive/Docs/Sheets and MS Office.

Responsibilities

• Support DKZ's culture, policies, and program standards with Regional Director and Ownership.
• Report to Regional Director and Ownership.
• Model DKZ Core Values in daily leadership, communication, and decisions.
• Foster a respectful, inclusive, and professional workplace.
• Oversee daily operations, safety, licensing compliance, and family experience.
• Collaborate on staffing shortages, recruiting, interviewing, hiring, onboarding, and retention.
• Serve as a resource in ECE for teachers and leadership staff.
• Coach and train teachers to strengthen classroom quality.
• Travel between local DKZ locations to provide classroom support and training.
• Step into classrooms to maintain ratios and support staffing needs.
• Build positive relationships with children, families, team members, and partners.
• Maintain confidentiality, accountability, and consistent communication with leadership.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Customer service

Servant leadership

Adaptability

Tech proficiency

Education

Montana Level 3 Practitioner Registry

CDA / AA/BA in Early Childhood Education

Montessori certification

Tools

Google Workspace

Job description

Program Director

The Program Director is a key leadership position responsible for supporting the daily operations, culture, staffing, and overall quality of Discovery Kidzone. This role works closely with the Regional Director and Ownership to ensure our programs maintain high standards for children, families, and team members while consistently reflecting DKZ's Core Values and Vision.

Job Requirements

• Must be a Level 3 or higher on the Montana Early Childhood Project Practitioner Registry.
• Must have a CDA, Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education, Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education, or related qualifying education.
• Montessori certification is a plus.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience working in a licensed childcare or early childhood education program.
• Minimum of 1 year of childcare leadership or management experience.
• Strong knowledge of early childhood education, classroom operations, licensing requirements, and developmentally appropriate practices.
• Comfortable using Google Drive, Google Docs, Google Sheets, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other workplace applications and systems.
• Must possess strong character, a servant-leadership mindset, professionalism, and excellent customer service and communication skills.
• Must be adaptable and willing to step into classrooms and support program needs as necessary.

Job Responsibilities

• Partner with the Regional Director and Ownership to support Discovery Kidzone's organizational philosophy, culture, Core Values, policies, procedures, and program standards.
• Report directly to the Regional Director and Ownership.
• Live and model Discovery Kidzone's Core Values and Vision in daily leadership, communication, and decision-making.
• Foster a respectful, inclusive, and professional workplace where harassment, discrimination, and intolerance are not permitted and differences in backgrounds, cultures, perspectives, and abilities are valued.
• Support the daily operation of the program while maintaining high standards for safety, licensing compliance, classroom quality, organization, and family experience.
• Collaborate with leadership to identify staffing shortages and overages and assist with recruiting, interviewing, hiring, onboarding, and retaining qualified team members.
• Serve as a knowledgeable resource in Early Childhood Education for teachers and leadership team members.
• Coach, mentor, train, and model best practices for teachers to strengthen classroom quality and professional development.
• Travel between local Discovery Kidzone locations as needed to provide classroom support, training, coaching, and modeling.
• Step into classrooms as needed to maintain required ratios, support staffing needs, and provide hands-on training.
• Build positive relationships with children, families, team members, and community partners.
• Maintain professionalism, confidentiality, accountability, and consistent communication with leadership and team members.
• Identify challenges, take ownership of solutions, and proactively communicate needs to the Regional Director.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Employee childcare discount
• Employee Assistance Program
• Professional development assistance
• Flexible scheduling opportunities

Schedule

• Full-time
• 8-hour shifts
• Day shift
• Monday–Friday
• No nights
• No weekends

Supplemental Pay

• Bonus opportunities

Culturally diverse and/or bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.

Discovery Kidzone is committed to creating a supportive, professional, and high-quality environment where children thrive, families feel connected, and team members are empowered to grow.