Lead Center Director

About the role

The Lead Center Director provides leadership and operational oversight for the center, ensuring the delivery of high-quality early childhood education and care services that align with the mission, values, and strategic goals of Encompass.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and oversight for all center operations, program quality, enrollment, staffing, customer service, and fiscal performance.
• Supervise, coach, and develop center leadership, teaching, and support staff while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure the consistent implementation of HighScope curriculum, COR Advantage assessment practices, Conscious Discipline strategies, and developmentally appropriate learning experiences.
• Maintain compliance with DCF licensing regulations, NAEYC accreditation standards, USDA requirements, YoungStar expectations, and agency policies and procedures.
• Oversee enrollment management, family accounts, staffing patterns, scheduling, payroll processes, budgeting activities, and operational planning to support center sustainability.
• Lead development, performance, and training initiatives that support employee growth and program excellence.
• Foster positive relationships with children, families, staff, community partners, volunteers, and other stakeholders while promoting exceptional customer service.
• Ensure the safety, cleanliness, maintenance, and functionality of the center environment, equipment, and resources.
• Collaborate with agency departments and leadership teams to support organizational initiatives, operational effectiveness, and continuous improvement efforts.
• Foster a culture that reflects the Encompass mission, vision, and values while demonstrating professionalism, integrity, and confidentiality in all interactions.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field required.
• Two or more years of leadership experience in an early childhood education setting or related management role required.
• Experience with HighScope or other play-based curriculum preferred.
• Experience in a NAEYC-accredited program preferred.
• Knowledge of childcare center operations, enrollment management, staffing, budgeting, and regulatory compliance preferred.

Qualifications

• Strong leadership, coaching, and team development skills.
• Demonstrated critical thinking, problem-solving, organizational, and time management abilities.
• Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to build and maintain positive relationships with children, families, staff, and community partners.
• Working knowledge of childcare center financial management and operational practices.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and the ability to learn agency software systems.
• Exhibits agency values in daily work and demonstrates commitment to the agency mission.