Director of Operations - Early Childhood

The Goddard School • New York, NY

11d

About The Position

The Goddard School is seeking an organized, dependable, hands-on Director of Operations to support the daily administrative and operational needs of its early childhood school. Working closely with the School Owner/On-Site Operator, Director of Education, and administrative team, the Director helps maintain a safe, compliant, welcoming environment for children from infancy through Pre-K. The role requires strong ownership, accuracy, reliability, organization, timely follow-through, and a systems-oriented approach to health, safety, compliance, and operational excellence.

The Director supports staffing and daily school operations; helps maintain facilities, records, and compliance documentation; provides administrative and faculty support; and builds responsive, trusted relationships with families. The position also partners with educational leadership on school events, transitions, and other priorities. Success means safe and consistent routines, adequate staffing coverage, inspection-ready documentation, and dependable support for faculty and families.

The Goddard School uses Wonder of Learning®, an education program designed around play and curiosity and intended to foster skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, and social-emotional relationships. Each school location is privately owned and operated by a Goddard Franchisor LLC franchisee, and wage and benefit programs vary by location.

Requirements

• At least 3 years of experience teaching in early childhood education.
• At least 2 years in a leadership role.
• Familiarity with NYC DOHMH Article 47 Child Care Regulations.
• Strong knowledge of child development, early learning best practices, and team leadership.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• A genuine love for children and commitment to high-quality education.
• Must pass the required state background check.
• Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy, especially in health and safety compliance, documentation, and regulatory requirements.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to maintain accurate records, organized files, schedules, and tracking systems.
• Proactive, reliable, and accountable, with ownership of responsibilities, timely follow-through, and ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Strong time management, prioritization, planning, and scheduling skills, including coordinating staff schedules, training requirements, and staffing coverage.
• Ability to manage multiple competing priorities in a fast-paced environment without sacrificing accuracy or quality.
• Effective professional communication with teachers, administrators, families, vendors, and regulatory agencies.
• Confidence holding staff and vendors accountable, enforcing policies, and addressing performance or compliance concerns.
• Calm judgment and professionalism under pressure, with strong practical problem-solving skills.
• Strong technology and administrative skills, including proficiency with spreadsheets, digital calendars, document management, and systems for tracking deadlines, certifications, staffing, and operational tasks.
• Unwavering commitment to health and safety, regulatory compliance, staff training, facility maintenance, and child safety.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in early childhood education, childcare administration, school operations, or a related leadership role.
• Strong discretion, a collaborative and approachable leadership style, sound judgment, and willingness to step in wherever needed.

Responsibilities

• Support faculty schedules, classroom ratios and coverage, staff breaks, absences, and classroom transitions.
• Help maintain clean, safe, and tour-ready facilities; coordinate maintenance, vendors, supplies, deliveries, and meal and snack program logistics.
• Assist with staff timekeeping, PTO records, payroll preparation, operational calendars, and school events.
• Help uphold applicable licensing requirements, Goddard Quality Assurance standards, and school health and safety policies.
• Conduct routine classroom, facility, and playground checks; maintain inspection-ready records, safety postings, emergency plans, drill logs, and required training documentation.
• Support incident and illness reporting, medication and immunization records, and prompt follow-up on safety or compliance concerns.
• Maintain accurate, confidential student and faculty records, enrollment documentation, and administrative systems.
• Assist with recruiting, staff onboarding, training, policy implementation, evaluations, and follow-up on performance expectations.
• Provide day-to-day guidance and administrative coverage; help create a positive faculty culture and escalate important issues to school leadership.
• Build trusted relationships with families, respond to operational questions, and provide clear, timely communication and follow-through.
• Support new-family orientation, schoolwide communications, and family information systems.
• Partner with educational leadership on school events, celebrations, classroom transitions, and other cross-functional priorities.

Benefits

• Twenty-nine paid personal days per year, including twelve paid personal days per calendar year, five paid personal days between Christmas and New Year's Day when the school is closed, and seven paid holidays per calendar year.
• Five sick days per year.
• Employer match of up to 3% of employee contributions to the 401(k) plan.
• Eligibility for annual performance-based pay increases.
• Pre-tax commuter benefits.
• Subsidized health and dental insurance.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: No Education Listed