Early Childhood Center Director

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School Director – Chicago, IL

Join an international network of schools committed to delivering a world-class curriculum by integrating the best practices of Montessori, Reggio Emilia, and other leading educational approaches. This is a compelling leadership opportunity for an education professional passionate about fostering excellence, supporting staff, and nurturing strong family and community connections.

School Director Benefits & Compensation

• Competitive base salary and annual bonus potential.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance options.
• Paid time off and holidays.
• Professional development support and opportunities for career growth.
• Supportive and collaborative work culture.

School Director Requirements & Qualifications

• Must meet all Illinois Center Director requirements as defined in DCFS Licensing Standards (Section 407).
• Experience as a Preschool Director, Child Care Center Director, Assistant Director, or School Leader.
• Strong understanding of Illinois child care licensing and compliance.
• Proven ability to lead and develop teams in early childhood education settings.
• Demonstrated achievement in enrollment growth, family engagement, and staff management.
• Experience managing budgets and daily operations.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Education, Business, or a relevant field preferred.

School Director Preferred Background & Skills

• Experience with international, Montessori, or Reggio Emilia-inspired curricula.
• Community engagement and outreach experience.
• Bilingual abilities.

School Director Day-to-Day Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop teaching and administrative staff, fostering a high-performing and positive school culture.
• Oversee all daily school operations, ensuring exceptional care, educational quality, and customer service.
• Manage school budget, financial performance, and operational goals.
• Build strong relationships with families, creating an outstanding parent experience and driving enrollment growth through tours and outreach.
• Ensure compliance with Illinois DCFS licensing, health and safety regulations, and organizational policies.
• Partner with curriculum teams to ensure classroom excellence and consistent curriculum implementation.
• Recruit, hire, onboard, and retain exceptional educators and support staff.
• Maintain a safe, organized, and well-resourced learning environment for children and employees.
• Represent the school within the community while collaborating with leadership to drive ongoing improvement and success.

If this opportunity interests you and you would love to hear more, please contact me at 321-218-1826 or geisenhart@goodwinrecruiting.com. If this opportunity does not spark your interest, but you may know someone who might be open, please feel free to pass my information along.

JOB ID: 178575

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Greg Eisenhart

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