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Associate Planning Director Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Manages School staff by planning work schedules, evaluating staff performance, and developing ... CDA, Associate's or Bachelor's Degree preferred in Early Childhood Education or related field

Child Care Director

Ankeny, IA · On-site

$39K - $53K/yr

Manages School staff by planning work schedules, evaluating staff performance, and developing ... CDA, Associate's or Bachelor's Degree preferred in Early Childhood Education or related field

Child Care Director

Ankeny, IA · On-site

$39K - $54K/yr

Manages School staff by planning work schedules, evaluating staff performance, and developing ... Must be at least 21 years of age High School diploma or equivalent CDA, Associate's or Bachelor ...

Child Care Director

Ankeny, IA · On-site

$39K - $53K/yr

Manages School staff by planning work schedules, evaluating staff performance, and developing ... CDA, Associate's or Bachelor's Degree preferred in Early Childhood Education or related field

Succession planning - true career growth planning & opportunities * Annual leadership development ... Associate's or Bachelor's degree in healthcare administration, business, nursing, social services ...

Showing results 21-40

Associate Planning Director information

See Iowa salary details

$28.6K

$96.5K

$162.5K

How much do associate planning director jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate planning director in Iowa is $96,488.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $65,700.00 and $132,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an associate planning director?

An Associate Planning Director is a mid-to-senior level professional typically found in advertising, marketing, or media agencies. They are responsible for developing strategic plans to guide campaigns and initiatives, ensuring alignment with client objectives and market trends. This role involves overseeing a team of planners, collaborating with creative and account teams, and presenting insights to clients. They play a crucial part in shaping brand strategies and optimizing campaign effectiveness.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an associate planning director?

To thrive as an Associate Planning Director, you need strong strategic thinking, data analysis, and communication skills, typically backed by a degree in marketing, business, or a related field. Proficiency with media planning tools (such as Comscore, Nielsen, or Google Analytics), presentation software, and often experience with project management platforms is essential. Leadership, collaboration, and creative problem-solving are standout soft skills for guiding teams and building client relationships. These capabilities are crucial for developing effective marketing strategies, ensuring campaign success, and fostering productive teamwork in a competitive environment.

What are some common challenges faced by an associate planning director and how can they be addressed?

As an Associate Planning Director, one of the main challenges is balancing strategic vision with day-to-day project management, ensuring that campaigns meet both client goals and internal timelines. Navigating complex stakeholder relationships and integrating feedback from multiple teams—such as creative, media, and account management—can also be demanding. To address these challenges, it's important to maintain clear communication, prioritize tasks effectively, and foster a collaborative team culture. Regular check-ins and leveraging project management tools can help keep projects on track and stakeholders aligned.

What is the difference between Associate Planning Director vs Planning Manager?

AspectAssociate Planning DirectorPlanning Manager
CredentialsBachelor's degree in urban planning, architecture, or related field; often advanced certificationsBachelor's degree; relevant certifications may be preferred
Work EnvironmentStrategic planning, project oversight, collaboration with senior leadershipProject management, team coordination, client interaction
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in large firms, government agencies, and consulting firmsCommon in architecture, urban planning, and development companies
Search & Comparison IntentPeople comparing roles with similar seniority and responsibilitiesRoles focused on project execution and team management

The Associate Planning Director typically holds a higher strategic role with more leadership responsibilities compared to a Planning Manager, who focuses more on project execution and team coordination. Both roles require relevant education and certifications, but the Associate Planning Director often engages in broader planning initiatives and interacts more with executive teams.

What cities in Iowa are hiring for Associate Planning Director jobs?

Cities in Iowa with the most Associate Planning Director job openings:

Child Care Director

Ankeny, IA • On-site

Learning Care Group
Education • 10K+ employees

Full-time

Posted 27 days ago


Learning Care Group rating

5.2

Company rating: 5.2 out of 10

Based on 112 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Our organization prides itself on excellence, putting the education and development of our children first and foremost. When you consider a career at Learning Care Group, know you will be joining a team that is passionate about thoroughly preparing their students for all the challenges that lie ahead.

In a Director, we look for committed individuals who want to make a difference in the lives of young children and their families, while effectively and efficiently running all School operations. The Director promotes the social, physical, and intellectual growth of the children under his/her care and works with the School's staff to create an environment of learning while keeping parents informed of the progress of their child.

Job Responsibilities:

  • Make a difference every day!
  • Manages School staff by planning work schedules, evaluating staff performance, and developing performance improvement plans. Assists with the implementation of Company-provided curriculum, which includes coaching, communicating and interpreting standards with teachers.
  • Be accountable for the operation of the school, ensuring that the school is operating in accordance with company and state licensing standards.
  • Be responsible for ensuring an educational, caring and safe environment for the children and parents.
  • Spark imagination, build self-esteem and help children discover new things each day.
  • Promote the positive image of the company and play a major role in making the company a provider of choice in educational programs for the communities that we service.
  • Recruit, select and retain quality staff.
  • Help achieve profitability for the company.

Job Requirements:

  • Must be at least 21 years of age
  • High School diploma or equivalent
  • CDA, Associate's or Bachelor's Degree preferred in Early Childhood Education or related field
  • Must meet state requirements for education and additional center/school requirements may apply.
  • Willingness to attain state mandated Director requirements
  • 1-2 years supervisory/management experience of at least six non-exempt associates; experience in early childhood education strongly preferred


 


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About Learning Care Group

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Learning Care Group, Inc. is the second-largest for-profit child care provider in North America and a leader in early education. Our programs are designed for children aged 6 weeks to 12 years. Across our eight unique brands, we're committed to creating state-of-the-art facilities with the latest technology and expert-driven curricula created by our own Education team.

Industry

Education

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Novi, MI, US

Year founded

1967

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