Center Director

JOB TITLE: Center Director
REPORTS TO: Board of Directors

POSITION SUMMARY: The Center Director holds overall responsibility for the administrative, operational, and financial functions of Valley Preschool & Childcare. The Director ensures all services are delivered safely, protectively, and within the strict framework of Iowa licensing requirements and the center’s objectives. Following a strategic restructuring, the Director carries full, centralized ownership of all financial management, accounting, and payroll workflows, utilizing the Playground software platform to maximize operational efficiency.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Financial Management & Playground Administration: Oversees and manages all tuition invoicing, parental account setup, automated payment processing, and past-due balances within the Playground platform. Maintains and submits all Iowa HHS Child Care Assistance (CCA) billing. Reviews, pays, and tracks bills; reconciles center bank statements on a bimonthly basis.
• Payroll Processing: Reviews electronic staff timecards within Playground and submits accurate hours for payroll processing.
• Budgeting & Funding: Maintains a balanced operating budget, coordinates with the Board Treasurer, makes recommendations for tuition increases, and tracks grant/funding opportunities.
• Licensing, Compliance, & Board Governance: Assures the center is in full compliance with all regulatory bodies, including Iowa HHS and nutritional programs (CACFP). Partners with the Board President to develop monthly meeting agendas, gather related materials, and prioritize board approvals.
• Personnel Selection & Development: Selects, hires, and orientates competent staff. Provides documented ongoing feedback, completes annual performance evaluations, and plans all staff training hours to meet DHS/HHS requirements.
• Communication & Ratio Support: Keeps the Board informed of program issues while managing day-to-day operations independently. Assists teachers in reporting child milestones or learning/behavior concerns to parents. Willingly steps into classrooms to assist when needed to maintain mandatory staff-to-child ratios and provide coverage for staff breaks.
• Other Duties: Performs all other operational, administrative, or financial duties as assigned by the Board of Directors to ensure the stable continuity and compliance of the center.

EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum of 1 year of direct administrative-related experience (related to personnel, supervision, record keeping, or budgeting).
• Demonstrated experience in financial management, bookkeeping, budgeting, or payroll administration.
• Proven experience working in a licensed childcare facility setting.

EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION:

• Has obtained a high school diploma or passed a general education development (GED) test.
• Has completed at least one course in business administration, or 12 contact hours of administrative training.
• Holds current, active certifications in Infant, Child, and Adult CPR, First Aid, and Iowa’s mandatory reporter training for child abuse.
• Iowa DHS/HHS 100-Point Rule: Must have achieved a total of 100 points obtained through a combination of education, experience, and child development-related training, verified under state standards (minimum of two categories used, no more than 75 points in any one category, and at least 20 points from direct experience).

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Schedule Consistency Rule: Required to maintain a stable, same day off a week for a six-month block. A different day-off shift may be selected/negotiated every six months if necessary, keeping the schedule predictable for half-year increments.
• Staggered Shift Coverage: Required to coordinate and stagger weekly schedules with the [Director / Assistant Director] to ensure an administrative office presence is maintained during both peak early-morning drop-off hours and late-afternoon pick-up hours.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

• Paid Time Off (PTO): This position includes a competitive Paid Time Off package to support a healthy work-life balance, to be accumulated/allotted per center policy.
• Health & Welfare Benefits: Please note that health, dental, vision, or retirement benefits are not offered by the center at this time.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must be at least 21 years old.
• Must pass all state-mandated criminal background checks, fingerprinting, and health registries.
• High-level language, math, and reasoning skills.
• Organized, self-starter mindset with excellent verbal and written communication.

PHYSICAL QUALIFICATIONS:

• Ability to physically respond quickly to sounds and visual cues of children.
• Ability to maintain visual supervision of a classroom or outdoor playground setting.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Full supervisory oversight, management, hiring, evaluation, and disciplinary management of all center staff, including the Center Assistant Director and classroom personnel.

EQUIPMENT TO BE USED:

• Personal computer, tablet, multi-line telephone system, copier/scanner.
• Special childcare/financial billing software (Playground platform), digital time-tracking applications, word processors, and spreadsheet software.

TYPICAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, bending, stooping, and kneeling on the floor to interact with children.
• Occasional lifting of equipment or children up to 40 pounds.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Indoor classroom and office environments, as well as outdoor playground spaces. Exposure to standard childhood illnesses, noise, and seasonal weather elements.

Pay: $30,000.00 - $36,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Paid time off

Work Location: In person

Salary : $30,000 - $36,000