Territory Operating Partner

Child Development Schools•McKinney, TX

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Territory Operating Partner (TOP) is a senior, multi-site operating leader accountable for the performance of a defined territory of early childhood education centers. The role has direct responsibility for enrollment, operations, financial performance, and people leadership across multiple locations. The TOP operates the territory as a standalone business within the company’s framework, owning results and making day-to-day operating decisions with substantial autonomy and accountability for outcomes. The position oversees enrollment growth, occupancy and retention; operational execution, quality and licensing compliance; territory-level financial performance, cost control and staffing efficiency; hiring, development and performance management of Center Directors; and local execution of company priorities. This is an operating leadership role rather than a traditional oversight or administrative position, requiring proactive issue identification and independent problem-solving. The TOP regularly travels between centers in the assigned territory and maintains an active presence in school environments and administrative offices. It is an on-site leadership role involving direct engagement with teams.

Requirements

5–10 years of experience in multi-site operations, general management, or business leadership roles.
Demonstrated success driving enrollment, revenue growth, or customer-facing performance.
Financial acumen, including budgeting, staffing models, and P&L review.
Experience leading and developing managers across multiple locations.
Bachelor’s degree required.
Strong ownership mindset and comfort being accountable for results.
Experience operating multi-site businesses with financial responsibility.
Sound judgment and discipline in decision-making.
Ability to lead independently while collaborating effectively with corporate partners.

Nice To Haves

MBA or advanced degree.
Experience in early childhood education, franchised businesses, or regulated service industries.

Responsibilities

Own enrollment, occupancy, and retention results across assigned centers.
Develop and execute territory-level growth and enrollment strategies aligned with revenue targets.
Monitor performance metrics and implement corrective actions when results fall short.
Ensure consistent daily operational execution across centers, including staffing, ratios, safety, and quality standards.
Maintain compliance with state licensing and regulatory requirements.
Conduct operational audits and oversee corrective action plans as needed.
Manage territory-level budgets, staffing models, and key operating metrics.
Review P&L statements and understand the operational drivers of financial performance.
Forecast enrollment, staffing, and resource needs, and proactively manage risks and tradeoffs.
Recruit, hire, and develop Center Directors in partnership with Talent Acquisition.
Provide ongoing coaching, feedback, and performance management.
Build a culture of accountability, professionalism, and continuous improvement.
Make timely, well-reasoned operational and business decisions within established guardrails.
Balance autonomy with alignment to company standards, compliance requirements, and strategic priorities.
Escalate issues appropriately while retaining ownership of execution.