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Corps Team · 1 day ago

Executive Director Early Childhood Learning

Atlanta, GA

Full-time

Onsite

Director/Executive

10+ years exp

Corps Team is representing a respected early childhood learning center in the Atlanta/Buckhead area, and they are seeking an Executive Director to provide visionary leadership. The Executive Director will oversee all aspects of the center's operations, ensuring health, safety, compliance, and operational efficiency while fostering a culture of trust and continuous improvement.

ConsultingHuman ResourcesInformation TechnologyStaffing Agency

Growth Opportunities

Hiring Manager

Trista Wearing

Responsibilities

Oversee daily classroom operations and ensure activities follow developmentally appropriate practices

Support teachers in implementing curriculum, lesson plans, and learning objectives

Ensure classrooms maintain proper schedules for meals, naps, indoor/outdoor play, and structured learning

Monitor child progress and ensure documentation and assessments are completed

Create daily staffing schedules, ensuring ratios are always maintained

Provide coaching, feedback, and in-classroom support to teachers and aides

Conduct daily check-ins with staff and address any issues that arise

Manage staff absences, substitutes, breaks, and coverage to maintain compliance

Onboard new staff and provide ongoing training in safety, curriculum, and child development

Ensure the center complies with all state licensing regulations (ratios, sanitation, safety, documentation, emergency procedures)

Confirm daily health checks are performed on all children

Monitor incident reports, medication logs, attendance records, and sign-in/out procedures

Conduct regular facility safety checks (playground, classrooms, equipment)

Maintain required records (staff files, child files, health forms, certifications)

Greet families during drop-off and pick-up and maintain an approachable presence

Communicate daily updates, child progress, and any incidents or concerns

Arrange and conduct parent meetings or conferences as needed

Support families with enrollment, orientation, and transitions between classrooms

Address parent questions, concerns, or complaints promptly and professionally

Oversee enrollment, waitlists, tours, and admissions documentation

Track current and projected enrollment numbers and report insights to the Board of Directors

Manage financial operations, including tuition billing, fee collection, and the preparation of monthly P&L and Balance Sheet statements for the Board

Create and maintain staff schedules, payroll records, and timesheets

Handle purchasing, supplies, food service coordination, and inventory management

Develop and/or enforce center policies, handbooks, and operational procedures

Ensure food safety, allergy protocols, and sanitation procedures are followed

Respond to injuries, illnesses, and emergencies, completing required documentation

Conduct regular emergency drills (fire, lockdown, weather)

Train staff on first aid, CPR requirements, and safe supervision practices

Observe classrooms regularly and provide coaching to maintain high-quality standards

Lead staff meetings, professional development, and team-building activities

Implement accreditation standards (NAEYC, QRIS) if applicable

Foster a positive, inclusive, child-centered environment

Coordinate with licensing inspectors, early childhood specialists, local agencies, and vendors

Build partnerships with churches, local schools, resource centers, and community programs

Represent the center at community events, professional networks, or partnerships

Ensure the Director personally (or via staff) completes the 40-hour Director Training (or equivalent) before or shortly after assuming the role

Verify that all staff have completed required trainings (initial & annual), are credentialed appropriately, and that training records are maintained

Confirm that background checks (fingerprint, criminal history) are completed for all required personnel and any adults assisting at the center

Maintain staff-to-child ratios and group size requirements each day and monitor mixed-age group logic

Maintain and review the facility’s documentation: staff records, child records, attendance, incident logs, training logs, maintenance logs

Ensure facility meets required physical standards (building, playground, health/safety) and that inspections and approvals (zoning, fire, health) are current

Lead the annual renewal process: ensure licensing fee is paid, application is submitted timely, and any changes (ownership, location, capacity) are reported

Prepare and lead the center through inspections: maintain readiness for unannounced visits and address any plan of correction for non-compliance

Qualification

Early Childhood EducationOperational LeadershipFinancial ManagementGeorgia DECAL LicensingProgram GrowthCommunication SkillsOrganizational SkillsProblem-Solving SkillsCPR/First Aid CertificationMaster’s DegreeNonprofit ManagementPublic Administration

Required

Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred (Early Childhood Education, Education Leadership, Nonprofit Management, Public Administration, or related field)

10+ years of operational leadership experience in early childhood education, with prior experience as a Center Director or Executive Director

Demonstrated experience managing the financial operations of an educational facility, including budgets, tuition revenue, and financial sustainability models

Proven ability to work with finance committees, auditors, and accountants, and to align resources with strategic priorities

Track record of program growth, quality improvement, or organizational stabilization

Demonstrated success working with boards, ideally parent-governed boards

Knowledge of Georgia DECAL licensing rules and early learning best practices

Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills, with ability to hold staff accountable and deliver difficult messages with transparency

CPR/First Aid certification (or ability to obtain) and successful background check required