Assistant DirectorChildcare Network

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  • Not-remote
  • Full-time
  • Total comp
    Expected total yearly pay with bonus and equity at target, including any base pay.
  • Salary
  • Ann Arbor, MI

Job Summary

The Assistant Director is the operational backbone of the school, accountable for day-to-day stability, staff execution and accountability, classroom quality oversight, and parent communication. This role maintains a consistent, visible leadership presence on the floor and in classrooms, ensuring that the Director’s priorities and standards are executed with excellence every day. The Assistant Director partners closely with the School Director to build a strong, engaged team and a high-quality school experience. In the absence of the School Director, the Assistant Director assumes decision-making authority for school operations. This position participates in opening and closing procedures at least 50% of the time. 

 

 

Essential Functions

  • Leadership & Personnel Management 
  • Support and execute all people management functions by assisting the Director with staff scheduling, performance evaluations, improvement plans, recruiting, hiring, onboarding, and training; ensure all new employees receive complete orientation materials, policies, job descriptions, and compliance documentation in a timely manner. 
  • Maintain a visible, engaged floor leadership presence throughout the building and classrooms daily; actively recognize staff contributions, provide real-time coaching, reinforce a culture where team members feel supported and valued, and assume full supervisory responsibility in the Director's absence. 
  • Invest in team growth and pipeline development by identifying high-potential staff, providing coaching and stretch opportunities, and sharing observations with the Director to support internal advancement and succession planning. 
  • Regulatory Compliance & Safety 
  • Ensure full compliance with all regulatory and legal requirements including state childcare licensing, teacher-to-child ratios, company policies, and applicable wage and hour laws; fulfill all mandated reporter responsibilities by promptly reporting suspected child abuse or neglect to the appropriate agency as required by law. 
  • Maintain a safe, healthy, and operationally sound environment by adhering to all company procedures for accidents, injuries, and incident response; communicating hazards to staff; and conducting routine visual safety inspections. 
  • Uphold facility and cleanliness standards by assisting with attendance record maintenance, coordinating equipment maintenance and repairs, ensuring daily cleaning checklists are completed, and performing cleaning responsibilities as needed to keep the school compliant and tour-ready. 
  • Educational Quality & Family Engagement 
  • Drive classroom quality through active oversight by conducting regular walkthroughs, providing real-time staff coaching and corrections, supporting the development of engaging and developmentally appropriate environments, and encouraging student work displays, evidence of learning, and instructional technology. 
  • Build proactive, trust-based family relationships by maintaining consistent written and verbal communication about each child's development, participating in parent conferences, conducting professional school tours, and responding to inquiries about curriculum, tuition, enrollment, and operations. 
  • Represent and grow the school's presence by effectively communicating the company's brand, educational philosophy, curriculum, and program offerings to staff, families, and prospective parents, and supporting enrollment growth and retention through exceptional service and local marketing assistance. 
  • Administrative & Operational Accountability 
  • Own the accuracy and completeness of all school records including child and staff files, compliance documentation, corporate reporting, USDA Food Program administration, and agency/voucher billing. 
  • Monitor key operational indicators including daily attendance patterns, staff scheduling efficiency, classroom capacity, and enrollment trends; proactively flag risks and concerns to the School Director. 
  • Support financial integrity and asset protection by assisting with accurate financial record-keeping, supporting budget management within approved expectations, and adhering to all company procedures for safeguarding financial and physical assets. 
  • Leadership Team Collaboration & Communication 
  • Function as a true leadership partner to the School Director by contributing to shared decisions, maintaining alignment on operational priorities, and following through consistently on all commitments. 
  • Maintain open, responsive communication with the Director and regional/support teams by providing timely updates on staff issues, family concerns, and operational risks. 
  • Reinforce a culture of shared accountability by supporting staff through organizational change with a steady, positive presence and holding themselves and others to consistent standards. 

At least 1-3 years experience in a childcare organization or similar experience 

 

Education Level: Minimum HSD or GED

Preferred: 2 Year / Associate Degree; Associate Degree in Early Childcare Education; Bachelors Degree preferred 

 

 

Skills 

  • Strong oral and written communication skills 
  • Highly organized and ability to multi-task 
  • Ability to set and meet deadlines 
  • Strong knowledge of training and education of small children 
  • Excellent customer service skills 
  • Background working with state and local agencies in regards to childcare 
  • Flexibility in schedule to accommodate the changing needs of the school 
  • Supervisory and coaching skills 
  • Ability to manage difficult situations and conversations with staff and parents 
  • Knowledge of principles and procedures of bookkeeping, record keeping and reporting 
  • Ability to make decisions independently 
  • Detailed oriented 

 

 

 

Physical Demands 

Demand 

Frequency 

Sitting, standing and walking for long periods of time. 

Frequent 

Moderate vision, hearing and talking for communicating with students, parents, and co-workers. 

Frequent 

Operate a motor vehicle safely. 

Occasional 

 

 

 

Disclaimer 

Disclaimer 

The information contained herein is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of duties, responsibilities or essential functions of the job, nor are they intended to be an all-inclusive list of the skills and abilities required to do the job. Management may, at its discretion, assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. This job description is not considered a job contract and that employment may be ended by either party at any time. 

 

 

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