Center Director (STEM & AI Early Learning Academy)
7 days ago
Richmond
Job Description Summary Kids Academy of Learning Excellence (KALE) North Chesterfield, VA (23236) Full-Time | + Enrollment Bonuses | 6-Month Probation About the Role Kids Academy of Learning Excellence (KALE) is launching a next-generation STEM- and AI-focused early learning center in North Chesterfield (23236). We are seeking a VDOE-qualified Center Director / Childcare Director with strong leadership, operational excellence, integrity, and experience in: • Childcare management, • Preschool administration, • Enrollment growth, • Digital marketing, • Family engagement This is a high-impact aggressive leadership role overseeing a licensed childcare center with a strong emphasis on center enrollment, occupancy growth, and family partnership. This role requires a highly reliable and visibility, self-directed leader who follows through on commitments, represents the organization professionally at all times, and thrives in a fast-moving startup environment.. Duties CORE EXPECTATIONS (REQUIRED FOR SUCCESS) • Demonstrates consistent follow-through on commitments, deadlines, and deliverables, • Communicates proactively and transparently; does not disappear, delay, or overpromise, • Shows up prepared, punctual, and professional — every time, • Takes ownership of outcomes without deflecting responsibility, • Maintains integrity in all communications with families, staff, partners, and leadership, • Comfortable being the face of the organization in the community, • Lead daily operations of a licensed childcare center / preschool, • Ensure full compliance with VDOE 8VAC20-780 regulations, • Manage ratios, staffing schedules, teacher supervision, and safety procedures, • Maintain all children’s records, staff files, licensing paperwork, and training logs, • Oversee budgets, tuition billing, purchasing, and vendor relationships Enrollment, Marketing Tour Conversion (Top Priority), • Drive childcare enrollment, preschool enrollment, and center occupancy growth, • Achieving 90% occupancy within 12 months, • Conduct high-conversion tours and timely parent follow-ups, • Manage digital marketing (Facebook, Instagram, Google Business, community groups), • Build partnerships with local schools, churches, and community organizations, • Track weekly lead activity, waitlists, enrollment funnels, and conversions, • Improve family satisfaction and retention metrics STEM / Robotics / AI Curriculum Support, • Support a STEM-forward, technology-rich preschool program, • Encourage robotics, coding basics, digital literacy, and project-based learning, • Train teachers on hands-on STEM learning practices (training provided), • Promote a culture of innovation, creativity, and excellence Requirements Required Qualifications (VDOE-Compliant) Must meet ONE of the following pathways: • Bachelor’s/Master’s in Early Childhood, Child Development, or Elementary Education + 1-year programmatic experience, OR, • 48+ college credits (12 in ECE/Child Development) + 1 year experience, OR, • 2 years of programmatic experience (1 year supervising) + CDA/ECE CertificateAdditional Requirements:, • CPR/First Aid + MAT (or obtained within 30 days), • Minimum 10 hours of management/business training, • Ability to pass all state federal background checks, • Completion of Virginia Preservice Training for Child Care Staff within 90 days, • Daily Health Observation (DHO) training preferred (or within 90 days), • Current experience as a childcare director, preschool director, or assistant director, • Proven history of growing enrollment and increasing center occupancy, • Digital marketing, social media, or community outreach experience, • Ability to lead and develop teachers, • Experience with STEM, robotics, coding, or early technology (preferred, not required), • Actively represents KALE at community events, tours, partnerships, and outreach activities, • Builds authentic relationships with families, schools, churches, and community leaders, • Confidently communicates KALE’s mission, programs, and value proposition, • Follows up consistently with prospective families and partners, • Must provide examples of past roles where you were responsible for outcomes such as enrollment growth, team leadership, program delivery, or operational results, • Must be able to speak clearly to how you set goals, followed through, and delivered results. Nice To Haves ❤️ Who Thrives Here This role is ideal for someone who is: • An ambitious results-driven childcare leader with EXCELLENT CUSTOMER SERVICE., • Skilled at both education + business, • Confident in tours, marketing, and parent communication, • Comfortable in a fast-growing STEM/AI environment, • Capable of meeting targeted occupancy and revenue goals, • Executive Director will help with STEM Curriculum., • Self-starters who take initiative without being asked, • Leaders who do what they say they will do, • Professionals who value integrity, consistency, and accountability Benefits Compensation Benefits • Salary: (based on experience), • Enrollment Bonus, • 6-month probationary period with performance review based on:, • Enrollment growth, • VDOE compliance, • Family satisfaction, • Staff performance, • PTO + holidays, • Tuition discounts, • Regional Director roles, • Training Director, • Multi-site executive leadership About Us Kids Academy of Learning Excellence (KALE), powered by the CORE Foundation, is a next-generation early learning ecosystem built to nurture the whole child—mind, heart, spirit, and future potential. Rooted in compassion and community impact, KALE blends strong early childhood fundamentals with STE(AI)M™ innovation, literacy foundations, and character development. Our work is purpose-driven, family-centered, and excellence-focused.