Senior Director of Education & Operational Excellence

NY Preschool; New York (NY); Vor Ort; USD 150.000 - 210.000; Vollzeit

Benefits dieser Stelle

Time to Recharge

Tuition Reimbursement

Medical, Dental, Vision

401(k) Plan with Company Contribution

Commuter benefits

Zusammenfassung

New York Preschool is seeking a Sr. Director of Education & Operational Excellence to lead day-to-day school operations across our 12 campuses in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens, ensuring high-quality programming and family experience.

Reporting to the VP of Education Innovation, this role blends strategic vision with hands-on execution, building systems, training, and collaboration with central teams to deliver our emergent curriculum and brand promise.

Qualifikationen

• Minimum of 8 years in education, with at least 5 years in school or multi-site leadership.
• NYS Early Childhood Initial or Professional Certification required.
• Bachelor's degree; advanced degree preferred.
• Strong understanding of curriculum, teaching and learning, and developmentally appropriate practice.
• Experience supporting children with special needs and inclusive practices.

Aufgaben

• Lead operations across 12 campuses with a hands-on, education-centered approach.
• Set and reinforce operating standards for high-quality schools and family experiences.
• Collaborate with Education and school leadership to align programming with NY Preschool's brand.
• Build training, professional development, and feedback practices for school leaders.
• Lead cross-functional initiatives like new openings, acquisitions, and program launches.

Kenntnisse

Educational leadership

Multi-site leadership

Strategic vision

Operational management

Strong communication

Team development

Ausbildung

NYS Early Childhood Initial or Professional Certification (B-2 or 1-6)

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree in education, business, leadership, or related field

Jobbeschreibung

Location: New York, NY (regular, in-person presence across our schools in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens)

About Us

New York Preschool is more than just a neighborhood preschool. It's a year-round early childhood education program built for NYC families with children ages one to five. Every school shares one philosophy and an emergent curriculum across three core programs: NY Preschool, Afternoon Club, and Camp Kids Club.

We put the child first, give working parents the flexibility they need, and treat New York City as an extension of the classroom. This is how we prepare city kids and families to thrive at the next level.

With 12 campuses across Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens and over 20 years serving the NYC community, families get the depth and support of an established network, delivered with the warmth of a neighborhood school tuned to the block it serves. We are building an Education organization grounded in purpose, people, presence, and passion, and we are looking for a leader who believes deeply in that approach.

About the Role

The Sr. Director of Education & Operational Excellence is a hands-on, education-centered operational leader responsible for strengthening the day-to-day execution, consistency, and performance of all schools.

Reporting to the VP of Education Innovation as part of our Education leadership team, this leader works hand in hand with the Education Director and Heads of School across all 12 campuses so that operational excellence supports, rather than competes with, exceptional teaching, learning, programming, and family experience. The role also serves as the schools' primary partner to central teams, including People, Finance, Enrollment, Marketing, and Facilities, making sure central initiatives work for the schools and the schools get what they need to succeed.

This is an opportunity for an entrepreneurial and pragmatic education leader who can operate with both strategic perspective and sleeves-rolled-up execution: someone who sees what needs to be done, brings people together, and gets it done.

What You'll Do

Lead School Operations

• Partner with Heads of School to ensure clear expectations, consistent execution, and strong day-to-day operations across all schools.
• Establish and reinforce operating standards that support high-quality schools and exceptional family experiences, while respecting the unique needs of each school community.
• Maintain a forward-looking view of the school calendar, staffing cycles, enrollment patterns, and operational needs so schools are prepared well in advance and challenges are caught early.

Champion Education, Brand & School Excellence

• Partner closely with the VP of Education Innovation and school leadership to ensure operations support strong educational outcomes, exceptional programming, and NY Preschool's brand promise.
• Translate NY Preschool's educational philosophy and brand promise into clear expectations and standards for school performance.
• Bring a working understanding of emergent curriculum, classroom environments, developmentally appropriate practice, and inclusive support for children with special needs.
• Serve as a champion and advocate for the schools, making sure school leaders have what they need while balancing broader organizational priorities.
• Partner with Education and school leadership to strengthen training and professional development for school leaders and teams.
• Support meaningful observation and feedback practices that help leaders and teams grow.
• Create ways for school leaders and teams to share what's working, learn from one another, and keep improving.

Enrollment & Family Experience

• Partner with Enrollment, Marketing, and school leadership to support enrollment performance and school readiness.
• Ensure operational processes support a seamless family experience, from first inquiry and enrollment through the child's time at NY Preschool.
• Help schools understand and respond to enrollment, capacity, retention, and family experience trends.

Compliance, Safety & Risk Management

• Champion a culture where safety, compliance, and operational readiness are non-negotiable.
• Ensure schools consistently meet or exceed licensing, regulatory, health, safety, and organizational requirements.
• Establish clear processes, accountability, and follow-through around compliance, inspections, and incident response.
• Partner with Facilities and school leaders so every environment is safe, functional, welcoming, and well maintained.

Build Clear Systems, Processes & Accountability

• Develop practical operating systems, processes, standards, and tools that make it easier for schools to execute well.
• Establish clear expectations and accountability across operational areas.
• Use data and reporting to spot trends, simplify what's overly complex, and drive action.

Lead Through Communication & Collaboration

• Build trust and strong partnerships across Education, Operations, People, Finance, Enrollment, and Marketing.
• Create strong feedback loops between school leaders, teachers, and central teams; listen first and turn what you hear into practical solutions.
• Communicate clearly, directly, and thoughtfully, especially when addressing challenges or difficult issues.
• Lead, coach, and develop Heads of School to become strong, accountable, and inspiring education and operational leaders who bring NY Preschool's philosophy and brand promise to life every day.
• Establish clear expectations and standards of performance, while empowering Heads of School to lead their schools with ownership and judgment.
• Partner with Finance and school leadership to manage and optimize staffing and labor costs, aligning schedules, ratios, and classroom capacity with enrollment while protecting quality and compliance.
• Lead cross-functional initiatives such as new school openings, acquisitions, and program launches.

What Success Looks Like

• Schools operate with clear expectations, strong standards, and consistent execution, with the flexibility to meet each community's unique needs.
• Heads of School are stronger, more confident, and more accountable leaders.
• Safety, compliance, and operational readiness are embedded in the culture.
• Staffing is planned ahead of enrollment and the calendar, labor costs are well managed, and schools are fully covered with certified staff without sacrificing quality.
• NY Preschool has the operational discipline, leadership strength, and educational foundation to grow while preserving what makes its schools exceptional.

What We're Looking For

• Minimum of 8 years of experience in education, including at least 5 years in school or multi-site leadership, ideally in private school, early childhood, preschool, or a similarly high-quality educational environment.
• NYS Early Childhood Initial or Professional Certification (B-2 or 1-6) required.
• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree in education, business, leadership, or a related field preferred.
• Strong understanding of curriculum, teaching and learning, teacher support, and developmentally appropriate practice.
• Experience supporting children with special needs and a commitment to inclusive practices.
• Experience with the operational side of running a school: enrollment, staffing and labor costs, scheduling and ratios, facilities, safety, compliance, and family experience.
• Proven ability to lead, coach, and develop high-performing teams and leaders.
• Exceptional communicator with strong presence, sound judgment, and the ability to address complex matters with clarity and confidence.
• Entrepreneurial, resourceful, and pragmatic, with a roll-up-your-sleeves approach, a strong bias toward action, and the energy to build and improve even where resources may be limited.
• Highly accountable, collaborative, and approachable; sets clear expectations, follows through, and is genuinely willing to listen, learn, and adapt.

Why You’ll Love Working Here

• Time to Recharge: 15 PTO days to start, 7 sick days, paid company holidays, and a full week off during winter break.
• Career Investment: Tuition Reimbursement Program up to $5,000 annually.
• Comprehensive Care: Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage, plus a 401(k) Plan with Company Contribution.
• The Extras: Commuter programs, discounted fitness memberships, and more.

Physical Demands: The role involves standing, walking, sitting, constant movement, and occasional climbing, and requires the ability to lift and move up to 50 pounds.

NY Preschool & Kids Club is committed to an inclusive and diverse community. We celebrate differences, leading with kindness and respect. We are an equal opportunity employer. If you need an accommodation in completing the application, please contact [e-mail].