National Child Care Field Director

Bright Horizons • Washington, DC

1d • $90,000 - $110,000 • Onsite

About The Position

We're hiring a National Child Care Field Director at Bright Horizons! Do you love making a difference in the lives of children and families? Do you love experiencing new environments? Love to travel? This is the job for you. The Field Director is responsible for fostering an environment that allows children, their families and the staff to develop to their full potential while a permanent Director is not in place at the location. The Field Director is accountable for program operation that exceeds National Association for the Education of Young Criteria (NAEYC) criteria and incorporates Bright Horizons mission, organizational goals, values (HEART Principles,) philosophies, and policies and development of an inclusive environment and positive relationships with children, families and clients. Field Directors will review important decisions with the Regional Manager of the assigned center/school. Field Director will perform all major functions/responsibilities of the Director. Responsibilities: Assume management of a center/school on a temporary basis. Serve as a positive representative of the organization for centers/school in transitional situations: acquisitions, new center/school openings, Director changes, maternity leaves, etc. Establish positive working relationships with staff, families and client. Strive to know all the children in the program. Evaluate each situation, problem solve and individualize goals within established time frame, while keeping the Regional Manager updated of the situation. Provide clarification and guidance to new center Director, staff and parents/guardians on Bright Horizons policies, procedures and philosophies. Become familiar with licensing regulations for each state assigned to, as well as other local agencies, such as the Department of Social Services and Board of Health. Ensure health & safety and licensing guidelines are upheld. Confirm all inspections are current including: health, building and licensing. Verify the location has the Bright Horizons resources needed to operate: For example, computer, financial and payroll systems, manuals, employee and parent/guardian handbooks. Train or arrange training for new staff in payroll system, computer, New Employee Orientation and Regional Employee Orientation, program initiatives, i.e. The World At Their Fingertips, Bloodborne Pathogens, First Aid and CPR. Serve as a mentor for new Directors entering the Bright Horizons community. Support other Directors with marketing, recruitment, licensing, etc., as needed. Meet regularly with Regional Manager to be debriefed on center/school issues. Spend first weeks getting to know children, staff, parents/guardians and client. Project positive image/feeling toward Bright Horizons. Provide a reassuring presence for staff, parents/guardians and client. Provide regular communication through memos, newsletters, individual and group meetings, e-mail and voicemail. Conduct individual meetings with client, Assistant Director, Education Coordinators, Lead Teachers and Parent/Guardian Advisory Board President to gain information for planning and goal setting. Listen to and resolve concerns; clarify misconceptions. Develop action plan. Set and evaluate goals. Introduce, gradually, Bright Horizons philosophies and policies at acquired centers/schools. Fulfill all Director responsibilities as outlined in the Director Job Description for ongoing center/school management. Continue with staff recruitment and enrollment as appropriate. Address, immediately, any issues regarding staff performance, parent concerns, health & safety, licensing or facility issues. Inform Regional Manager of all issues and involve them in the decision making process. Ensure the smooth transition of new Director as appropriate. Provide training and support in all areas of job responsibility. Regularly attend local Director meetings and trainings to keep up to date on company policies and procedures, when possible. Qualifications: Join Bright Horizons as a Child Care Center Director, where your leadership will enhance program quality and shape operational success in our early childhood center. Embrace our mission and values to foster an inclusive environment that builds strong relationships with families, staff, and clients. From administration and marketing to mentoring teachers and welcoming new families, your work will make a lasting difference in the lives of children, families, and your team. Responsibilities: Lead hiring and create a motivating, inclusive work environment that retains staff Collaborate with the leadership team to evaluate and ensure program quality standards Manage enrollment, marketing, billing, and accounts payable, while ensuring budget compliance Build strong relationships and communicate proactively with families, clients, staff, and licensing Qualifications: Candidates must pass required state and company background checks, and meet state and company minimum education and experience requirements: Associate or higher degree in early childhood education, education, or child development related field is required; bachelor’s degree is preferred At least four years of leadership experience in high-quality child care, daycare, or preschool settings is required Experience in both teaching (infant, toddler, or preschool) and administration of a child care center is required Strong understanding of center quality, compliance, health, safety and licensing standards is required 100% Travel. Willingness/ability to travel and be away for long periods of time: weeks and months. Arrangements will be made to travel home every two weeks. Step into this rewarding role at Bright Horizons, where your leadership will make a lasting impact on children, families, and staff. Discover how far your career can take you in an inclusive workplace where you can be you. Apply today to explore the possibilities! Physical Requirements: This leadership role requires work in person in an early education/preschool child care center to provide center supervision, curriculum delivery, business management, and customer and client services per Bright Horizons’ policies, procedures and guidance, in compliance with any applicable laws and regulations, and in a manner that will ensure safety of children in Bright Horizons care and the employee. This role has a mixture of duties including office/computer/phone-based work, in-person supervision of care delivery and employees throughout all areas of the center, family/prospective family interactions which may take place in various areas of the center, and the ability to temporarily serve as a supervising caregiver for relatively brief periods of time on an as-needed basis (e.g., covering employee breaks or unscheduled absences). The full set of physical requirements for this role can be reviewed at https://careers.brighthorizons.com/job-descriptions. Bright Horizons complies with all laws that require reasonable accommodations for qualifying disabilities and/or pregnancy-related limitations.

Requirements

• Candidates must pass required state and company background checks, and meet state and company minimum education and experience requirements:
• Associate or higher degree in early childhood education, education, or child development related field is required; bachelor’s degree is preferred
• At least four years of leadership experience in high-quality child care, daycare, or preschool settings is required
• Experience in both teaching (infant, toddler, or preschool) and administration of a child care center is required
• Strong understanding of center quality, compliance, health, safety and licensing standards is required
• 100% Travel. Willingness/ability to travel and be away for long periods of time: weeks and months. Arrangements will be made to travel home every two weeks.

Responsibilities

• Assume management of a center/school on a temporary basis.
• Serve as a positive representative of the organization for centers/school in transitional situations: acquisitions, new center/school openings, Director changes, maternity leaves, etc.
• Establish positive working relationships with staff, families and client.
• Strive to know all the children in the program.
• Evaluate each situation, problem solve and individualize goals within established time frame, while keeping the Regional Manager updated of the situation.
• Provide clarification and guidance to new center Director, staff and parents/guardians on Bright Horizons policies, procedures and philosophies.
• Become familiar with licensing regulations for each state assigned to, as well as other local agencies, such as the Department of Social Services and Board of Health.
• Ensure health & safety and licensing guidelines are upheld.
• Confirm all inspections are current including: health, building and licensing.
• Verify the location has the Bright Horizons resources needed to operate: For example, computer, financial and payroll systems, manuals, employee and parent/guardian handbooks.
• Train or arrange training for new staff in payroll system, computer, New Employee Orientation and Regional Employee Orientation, program initiatives, i.e. The World At Their Fingertips, Bloodborne Pathogens, First Aid and CPR.
• Serve as a mentor for new Directors entering the Bright Horizons community.
• Support other Directors with marketing, recruitment, licensing, etc., as needed.
• Meet regularly with Regional Manager to be debriefed on center/school issues.
• Spend first weeks getting to know children, staff, parents/guardians and client.
• Project positive image/feeling toward Bright Horizons.
• Provide a reassuring presence for staff, parents/guardians and client.
• Provide regular communication through memos, newsletters, individual and group meetings, e-mail and voicemail.
• Conduct individual meetings with client, Assistant Director, Education Coordinators, Lead Teachers and Parent/Guardian Advisory Board President to gain information for planning and goal setting.
• Listen to and resolve concerns; clarify misconceptions.
• Develop action plan.
• Set and evaluate goals.
• Introduce, gradually, Bright Horizons philosophies and policies at acquired centers/schools.
• Fulfill all Director responsibilities as outlined in the Director Job Description for ongoing center/school management.
• Continue with staff recruitment and enrollment as appropriate.
• Address, immediately, any issues regarding staff performance, parent concerns, health & safety, licensing or facility issues.
• Inform Regional Manager of all issues and involve them in the decision making process.
• Ensure the smooth transition of new Director as appropriate.
• Provide training and support in all areas of job responsibility.
• Regularly attend local Director meetings and trainings to keep up to date on company policies and procedures, when possible.
• Lead hiring and create a motivating, inclusive work environment that retains staff
• Collaborate with the leadership team to evaluate and ensure program quality standards
• Manage enrollment, marketing, billing, and accounts payable, while ensuring budget compliance
• Build strong relationships and communicate proactively with families, clients, staff, and licensing

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Life insurance
• Long-term and short-term disability insurance
• Paid time off
• Career development for you plus free college degrees for your teachers through our Horizons CDA & Degree Program

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees