Assistant Director

Location: Kansas City, MO

Position Type: Full-Time

Reports To: Center Director

Overview

We are partnering with a growing, privately owned early childhood education center to identify an Assistant Director who will play a critical role in supporting day-to-day operations, staff leadership, and program quality.

This individual will serve as the right hand to the Center Director—helping ensure a safe, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate environment for children ranging from infant through early elementary age. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who thrives in a structured, yet warm and child-centered environment and is looking to step into a broader leadership role.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner closely with the Center Director to oversee daily operations of the school
• Support hiring, onboarding, training, and ongoing development of teachers and support staff
• Help maintain compliance with all state licensing regulations and health/safety standards
• Provide leadership and guidance in classroom management, curriculum implementation, and child development best practices
• Step in as acting Director when needed
• Build strong relationships with families; assist in handling parent communication and concerns
• Monitor classroom quality, ratios, and overall learning environment across age groups (infant through early elementary)
• Assist with scheduling, enrollment management, and general administrative duties
• Foster a positive, professional, and team-oriented culture among staff

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of leadership experience in an early childhood setting (Assistant Director, Director, or similar role)
• Strong background working with birth through early childhood, with exposure to elementary-aged programming preferred
• Deep understanding of child development principles, licensing requirements, and center operations
• Proven ability to lead, coach, and develop teaching staff
• Excellent communication and organizational skills
• Ability to balance administrative responsibilities with hands-on classroom support when needed

Preferred Background

• Experience in a private preschool or early learning center environment
• Familiarity with Montessori or child-led learning models is a plus
• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or related field (preferred, not required depending on experience)

What This Role Offers

• Opportunity to step into a high-impact leadership position within a growing and well-supported school
• Collaborative environment with a strong focus on both educational quality and operational excellence
• Ability to influence and shape programming, staff development, and overall center culture
• Clear path for continued growth within leadership

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled

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The Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and/or security clearance requirements, including, as applicable:

• The California Fair Chance Act

• Los Angeles City Fair Chance Ordinance

• Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers

• San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance