Executive Director – Operational Leadership Role

Sunshine Academy•Billings, MT

4d•$50,000 - $75,000•Onsite

About The Position

Are you an experienced early childhood leader who wants real responsibility, clear authority, and room to lead —not just manage daily chaos? We’re hiring an Executive Director to lead operations at a well-established early childhood program in Billings, Montana. This is a senior leadership role for someone who understands that excellent childcare requires both strong people leadership and strong business operations . If you’re currently leading in a large metro area and craving: Less bureaucracy More decision-making authority A better quality of life …this role is worth a closer look. About the Organization We are a growing early childhood organization committed to high standards, strong leadership, and sustainable operations. Our centers prioritize quality, accountability, and long-term impact for children, families, and staff. We believe great childcare is built through clear expectations, strong systems, and capable leaders . About the Role This is not a classroom position and not a caretaker role. The Executive Director is accountable for the operational and financial performance of the center , leading adults, managing systems, and ensuring consistent results across staffing, enrollment, compliance, and family experience. You will work within established systems and policies—and you’ll have the authority needed to make day-to-day operational and people decisions. What You’ll Be Accountable For Enrollment and occupancy (FTE) Staffing stability, scheduling, and labor cost management Licensing compliance and operational readiness Team performance, development, and accountability Family experience and professional representation of the organization This role requires the ability to review and understand basic financial and operational reports , identify trends, and make decisions that support long-term center health.

Requirements

3+ years of leadership experience in early childhood education or a comparable operational leadership role
Demonstrated experience managing teams, schedules, and center operations
Working knowledge of basic business operations (budgeting, labor management, financial reporting)
Eligible for Montana ECP Practitioner Registry Level 3+ (Level 4 preferred)
Strong organizational, communication, and decision-making skills
Business & Financial Competence (Required)
You do not need to be a finance expert—but you must be comfortable engaging with the numbers.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree preferred or equivalent leadership experience
Montana ECP Practitioner Registry Level 4 preferred

Responsibilities

Lead daily center operations to meet enrollment, staffing, compliance, and performance targets
Proactively manage schedules, ratios, and staffing plans to ensure consistency and cost control
Maintain audit-ready compliance with all licensing, health, and safety regulations
Use required systems and technology to track enrollment, staffing, documentation, and communication
Review operational and financial summaries and adjust decisions accordingly
Lead hiring, onboarding, performance management, and termination decisions
Set clear expectations and follow through consistently
Address performance issues promptly and professionally
Build and retain a high-performing, accountable team
Serve as the primary on-site leader for families, tours, and meetings
Ensure proactive communication and professional issue resolution
Maintain a consistent, high-quality experience for families, children, and staff
Reviewing and discussing center-level financial summaries
Understanding how enrollment, staffing, and scheduling decisions impact financial performance
Monitoring labor costs and operational efficiency
Using data to identify issues, anticipate challenges, and improve outcomes