Childcare Area Director

Description Territory: Birmingham, AL Pay: $26.00 - $30.00 per hour Schedule: Monday - Friday, 1:30 - 6pm, follows school district calendar with potential for summer hours Status: Part-Time, Non-exempt Reports To: Associate Executive Director and Executive Director Direct Reports: Site Directors and Site Staff Featured Benefit: Employer-Paid Childcare Healthy Kids Programs provides childcare for school-age children enrolled in our program on the days and during the hours you work. Employer contributions cover the cost of care, so you can focus on your job while your child participates in a safe, structured, and engaging program, all without needing to arrange outside care. About The Role The Area Director is the execution engine of Healthy Kids Programs’ field structure. They are closest to the daily work — making sure programs run well, sites are fully staffed, every site meets state licensing standards, and the principals and school staff they partner with see HKP as a reliable, responsive presence. This is a role for someone who is hands-on, organized, and energized by keeping things running well every single day. What Success Looks Like Staffing - Sites are fully staffed every day; schedules are built proactively; coverage gaps are filled before they become problems Enrollment - Enrollment is at or above target across sites; programs are engaging and families are choosing to re-enroll Compliance - All sites operate in full compliance with state licensing; records are current; sites pass inspections without issue Building Partnerships - Principals and school staff view HKP as a dependable, communicative partner; day-to-day issues are resolved quickly at the building level Key Responsibilities Staffing — Recruiting, Hiring & LeadingActively recruit to maintain a healthy pipeline of qualified candidates across your sitesInterview, hire, and onboard site-level staff; set expectations clearly from day oneBuild and manage staff schedules proactively; ensure every site has coverage before the day startsMaintain a reliable substitute bench so that gaps never leave a site exposedConduct regular check-ins with Site Directors; coach in the moment and through formal conversationsAddress performance issues directly and document appropriatelyCreate a team environment where staff feel supported, recognized, and connected to the mission Payroll, Labor & Scheduling Efficiency Schedule staff to ratio — never over or under; right-sizing hours is both a compliance and a budget responsibilityReview and approve timecards accurately and on time; ensure hours reflect actual time workedMonitor payroll costs against budget; flag anomalies and take corrective action when hours exceed planBuild schedules with efficiency in mind — minimize unnecessary overtime and maximize coverage with the staff you haveCommunicate schedule changes proactively; keep staff informed and document adjustmentsUse HKP’s payroll and scheduling platforms (e.g., Paylocity) accurately and consistently Enrollment & Program QualityMonitor enrollment at each site; identify soft spots early and bring action plans to the Regional DirectorVisit sites regularly to observe program quality and compliance firsthand; provide real-time coaching and feedback to site staff based on what you seeEnsure teachers are using HKP’s daily programming materials and engagement strategies consistentlyTrack re-enrollment as a signal of program quality; address concerns before families walk awaySupport enrollment events and outreach at the school and community levelReport enrollment status and program quality observations to the Regional Director on a regular cadence State Licensing ComplianceEnsure every site in your cluster maintains active, current state licensing at all timesConduct regular compliance walkthroughs: verify ratios, records, staff credentials, and environment standardsEnsure all staff certifications (CPR, first aid, mandated reporter training, etc.) are kept currentRespond promptly to any licensing concerns, agency inquiries, or corrective actionsKeep site staff informed of day-to-day compliance expectations; make it routine, not reactiveEscalate unresolved compliance issues to the Regional Director immediately Building-Level School PartnershipsServe as HKP’s primary day-to-day contact with school building leadership — principally principals and school office staffBuild strong, proactive relationships with each building’s leadership; show up consistently and communicate wellAddress building-level concerns and complaints quickly; resolve issues at the lowest level whenever possibleCoordinate with school staff on logistics, space use, schedules, and building-specific requirementsKeep principals informed on program news, staff changes, enrollment updates, and any operational issuesEscalate district-level concerns or relationship matters to the Regional Director Requirements What We’re Looking For Experience And Education 3–5 years of experience in program leadership, site management, or a related fieldBackground in childcare, youth development, K–12 education, or a similar environmentExperience managing and controlling staff schedules and daily operational coverage across multiple locationsComfort working directly with school administrators and building staffFamiliarity with state childcare licensing requirements a plusBachelor’s degree preferred Who You Are A hands-on operator who takes ownership of the day-to-day and doesn’t wait for problems to find themA clear communicator who keeps principals, staff, and the Regional Director/AED/Executive Director in the loop without being promptedOrganized and detail-oriented; able to track multiple sites without dropping the ballA natural coach who develops people through real-time feedback and consistent supportCalm under pressure and resourceful when things don’t go as plannedMust pass a full background check including fingerprinting and reference checks Key HK Executive Skills — Bringing Your “A-Game” Means You Excel in All Three: Relationship with your job: Focus on results, not excuses. Purpose driven.Relationship with others: Motivating, positivity, leadership.How you handle yourself: Empathy, professionalism, G-rated work environment. Benefits Employer-paid childcare for school-age children enrolled in our program on the days and during the hours you are working with usTelehealth, vision, and dental coverageAFLAC supplemental plans401(k) for eligible employeesPaid sick timeOn-demand payCareer development and growth opportunities About Healthy Kids Programs Healthy Kids Programs is more than a childcare provider. We’re shaping the future of childcare. As one of Inc. 5,000’s fastest-growing organizations, we offer Early Learning, Before and After School, and Summer Camp programs at over 150 locations. We’re a certified benefit corporation committed to providing accessible, affordable childcare while creating meaningful opportunities for our team. Why Join Healthy Kids Programs? At Healthy Kids Programs, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We create supportive and engaging environments where team members feel valued, empowered, and excited to grow. When you join our award-winning team, you become part of a community that values purpose, professional development, and meaningful work. If you are passionate about working with children and making a difference, Healthy Kids Programs is the place to build your career. Learn more about working with us: https://www.healthykidsprograms.com/workwithus Healthy Kids Programs is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion and prohibit discrimination based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic. Hiring decisions are based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs.