Executive Director, Childcare Center

About the Opportunity

Emergency Childcare Services is conducting a confidential search on behalf of an established licensed childcare center in the Charlotte, NC area seeking an experienced Executive Director.

We are looking for a strong childcare leader with a proven record of successfully managing a large early childhood education program. The ideal candidate is confident, organized, results focused, and comfortable leading a team with clear expectations and accountability.

This is a senior leadership position overseeing approximately 30 to 35 employees. The center currently serves approximately 125 children and has capacity for approximately 185.

The selected Executive Director will play an important role in strengthening the center's culture, developing staff, improving enrollment, maintaining licensing compliance, and building strong relationships with families.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, supervise, and develop a team of approximately 30 to 35 employees
• Recruit, hire, onboard, train, and retain quality staff
• Manage employee scheduling and daily center operations
• Establish clear expectations and accountability across the team
• Maintain compliance with North Carolina childcare licensing requirements
• Oversee curriculum implementation and educational quality
• Build strong relationships with parents and families
• Manage parent concerns professionally and effectively
• Lead enrollment efforts, tours, and family engagement
• Develop strategies to increase enrollment toward center capacity
• Support marketing and enrollment growth initiatives
• Create and maintain a positive, professional center culture
• Monitor staff performance and address performance concerns when needed
• Work closely with ownership on center goals and performance

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree
• Minimum of 5 years of childcare leadership or management experience
• Previous experience as a Childcare Center Director
• Experience working in a licensed North Carolina childcare center
• North Carolina Early Childhood Administration Credential Level II or III
• Strong knowledge of childcare licensing and compliance requirements
• Demonstrated experience managing and developing a team
• Strong communication and parent relationship skills
• Proven record of achieving measurable results in a childcare leadership role

Preferred Qualifications

• Degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field
• 5 or more years of childcare experience
• Experience managing a large childcare center
• Experience working within a franchise or large childcare organization
• Experience overseeing enrollment growth
• Experience leading a center with a large staff and high enrollment

Who We Are Looking For

This center needs an experienced leader who knows how to take ownership of a school and lead with confidence.

You should be comfortable setting expectations, holding staff accountable, making decisions, and creating a strong workplace culture. You should also understand the business side of childcare, including enrollment, retention, staffing, parent relationships, and center performance.

A strong candidate will have a history of results and be able to provide specific examples of improvements they have made at previous childcare centers.

Compensation

Salary range is $75,000 to $85,000 annually based on experience and qualifications.

Compensation has some flexibility for an exceptional candidate with extensive experience and a strong record of results.

Quarterly performance bonuses are also available. Bonus performance measures include enrollment, staff turnover, online reviews, and other center performance goals.

Benefits

Benefits include:

• 80 hours of PTO and sick leave
• Paid vacation
• Paid holidays
• Health insurance contribution of up to $250 per month
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Retirement plan
• Childcare discount
• Free childcare
• Paid training and professional development
• Tuition or education assistance
• Quarterly performance bonus opportunities

Hiring Process

The center would like its new Executive Director to begin within approximately 30 days. An earlier start is welcomed for an exceptional candidate.

Qualified candidates should expect three or more interviews as part of the selection process. Interviews with the childcare center will take place in person.

Candidates who are currently employed and need to provide appropriate notice to their employer are encouraged to apply.

Confidential Search

Emergency Childcare Services is managing the recruitment and initial screening process on behalf of our client. The childcare center's identity will remain confidential during the initial application and screening stage.

Qualified candidates selected to move forward will receive additional information about the opportunity during the interview process.

Emergency Childcare Services is seeking serious candidates with substantial childcare leadership experience and a demonstrated record of successfully leading a licensed childcare center. This center is located in the South Charlotte area.