Job Description

Head of School

Laguna Niguel, CA

We’re hiring immediately! McDowell School, part of the Cadence Education family, is currently seeking a Head of School to bring your love of children and past experience in childcare, daycare or early childhood education to our team of kind, caring Teachers and staff. 

Our schools are staffed with people who are talented, fun, and genuinely enthusiastic about child development and learning. We encourage collaboration and cherish open-communication in each school and with our corporate office. We work hard to create an outstanding work-life balance by supporting our staff members every step of the way. 

Enjoy the many benefits of working Full Time at Cadence Education.

• Competitive compensation
• 100% childcare tuition discount
• NEW! 401(k) with employer match
• Comprehensive benefit package for all full-time employees, including:
• Paid time off that increases with seniority
• Paid holidays
• Medical, dental, vision options available
• Additional life, disability, and retirement plans
• Educational and professional development
• Tuition reimbursement
• Company-paid life insurance
• Pet insurance
• Paid CDA 

The benefits listed above apply only to Full Time eligible employees.

Cadence Education is one of the premier early childhood educators in the United States, operating over 300 private preschools and elementary schools across 29 states. With over 30 years in business, we have developed an unparalleled expertise in preparing students to thrive in the next step of their childhood.

Our overall mission is to provide parents with peace of mind by giving children an exceptional education every fun-filled day in a place as nurturing as home. This mission can only be accomplished through a team of passionate childcare professionals who combine their talents to provide an unparalleled level of care and compassion for children and their families. Our research-based curriculum and home-based environments are the leading edge of early education.

Company Overview

JOB SUMMARY:Under the direction of the Regional Director or designee, the Head of School provides effective and instructional leadership for their staff in the development, implementation and evaluation of a comprehensive educational program and overall operations management of the school in accordance with Cadence Education procedures and initiatives. The Head of School is additionally responsible for providing outstanding care and education to children and excellent customer service to families, supervising school staff, managing administrative and financial controls, employee relations, marketing, and overall school planning.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Executes all program planning through administering applicable resources and ensuring that operations are meeting state and local regulatory requirements. Provides a safe, caring, and efficient learning environment for children and withholds relationships with parents or guardians.2. Establishes a positive influence on children. Maintains relationships with others in the educational community to promote the programs’ identity.3. Upholds Cadence standards and set the example by consistently modeling professional leadership, management and instructional skills while interacting with others. Demonstrates consistency in words and actions. Clearly communicates Cadence standards, guidelines, and policies to all staff and stress their importance to the organization.4. Promotes marketing initiatives and uses local marketing strategy to generate and retain enrollment. Assists in the planning, implementation, and operation of successful and creative before and after school programs, extracurricular activities/clubs, summer programs and all other enrichment and ancillary programs. 5. Manages employee file paperwork, orientation, training and development, reward/recognition, employee relations and performance reviews.6. Manages school to achieve or exceed planned financial and enrollment targets. Operates within budget and demonstrates and understanding of the budgeting process.7. Oversees maintenance of building, grounds, and vehicles. Handles in-house small maintenance issues and escalates issues as needed, following Cadence guidelines.8. Provides an environment of exceptional Elementary Education. Maintains all Elementary Education Standards set forth by the State of CA and accrediting agencies.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be interpreted as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required of employees assigned to this job.

MARGINAL/ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Assists with other department functions as assigned.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Must be a successful leader of people, have strong leadership skills and the ability to motivate a team. • Must be able to decide how to allocate people, time and other resource to create, execute, and accomplish an operating or project plan on time and within budget. • Must have solid analytical and problem-solving skills along with the ability to utilize the appropriate management techniques to plan, organize, control and coordinate activities. • Must be able to manage priorities in a dynamic environment and adapt to change quickly and positively. • Must demonstrate ability to be self-directed, as well as demonstrate excellent organizational, analytical and interpersonal skills. • Must be able to work as a team member with peers, other managers, staff and leadership. • Must possess good customer service and communications skills, the ability to work with professionals and maintain confidentiality standards.• Must be at least 21 years of age.• Strong knowledge of Nutritional Standards for schools.• Comprehensive knowledge of National and State Education Standards, Licensing Regulations and Procedures, Fire and Health Regulations and Educational Programs• Knowledge of OSHA regulations.• Requires the ability to read, write and speak effectively in English.

Education or equivalency:

• Requires a bachelor’s degree in Education or related degree; or an equivalent combination of training and progressively responsible experience that will result in the required specialized knowledge and abilities to perform the assigned work.

Experience:

• Must have a minimum of five (5) years of Elementary Leadership related experience that demonstrates a deep understanding of the required knowledge, skills and abilities.• Experience must include demonstrated leadership ability including management of staff, budgets and multiple functional areas.

Specialized training:

• None.

Certification/licensure:

• Requires appropriate licensing background clearance..

• If driving is a required, must have possession of, and ability to retain a current, valid driver’s license in good standing, and must carry the legally required minimum insurance coverage on personal vehicle at all times.