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Childcare Program Director

Mesa, Arizona | Full-Time

We are looking for a strong, experienced Program Director to lead a well-established childcare program in Mesa.

This is a hands-on leadership position for someone who understands that running a successful childcare center requires much more than managing paperwork. We need a leader who can manage people, build a strong team, maintain high expectations, solve problems, communicate confidently with families, and take ownership of the day-to-day operation of the program.

Our program believes strongly in play-based learning and intentional play. We participate in Quality First and are working toward accreditation. We are looking for a Program Director who is excited about continuing to strengthen the quality of our program while building a positive, professional staff culture.

Who We're Looking For:

We are looking for someone with significant childcare experience and proven leadership ability.

You should be comfortable making decisions, having difficult conversations, managing different personalities, setting expectations, and addressing problems rather than avoiding them.

The right person will be organized, dependable, confident, professional, approachable, and consistent. You should be able to develop positive relationships with staff while maintaining clear professional boundaries and expectations.

Most importantly, we need someone who can take ownership. When something needs attention, you see it and handle it. When a staff member needs coaching, you coach them. When a parent has a concern, you address it. When something isn't working, you help find the solution.

Responsibilities:

• Lead and oversee the daily operation of the childcare center
• Supervise, coach, mentor, and hold staff accountable
• Hire, onboard, train, evaluate, discipline, and when necessary, terminate employees
• Develop staff schedules and maintain appropriate classroom coverage and ratios
• Be visible in classrooms and know what is happening throughout the program
• Support teachers in creating engaging, developmentally appropriate, play-based environments
• Maintain compliance with Arizona DHS childcare licensing requirements
• Oversee DES requirements and required attendance/documentation
• Take an active role in Quality First and accreditation efforts
• Work with Quality First coaches and other program and community partners
• Maintain staff files, training requirements, fingerprint clearances, and required documentation
• Communicate professionally and confidently with parents
• Address parent concerns and staff issues promptly and appropriately
• Support enrollment and conduct tours for prospective families
• Monitor classroom quality, supervision, health and safety practices, and program expectations
• Assist with continuous program improvement and implementation of policies and procedures
• Work closely with ownership while being capable of independently managing the program
• Step in and help wherever needed—we are looking for a leader who is part of the team, not someone who manages exclusively from an office

Qualifications:

• Previous childcare leadership or management experience strongly preferred
• Must meet Arizona DHS requirements for the position
• Strong understanding of childcare licensing, ratios, supervision, health and safety, and staff requirements
• Experience supervising and developing childcare staff
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent organization and follow-through
• Comfortable using technology and childcare management systems
• Quality First experience is highly desirable
• Experience with DES-funded childcare preferred
• Accreditation experience is a plus
• Must be able to obtain and maintain all required Arizona childcare clearances and certifications

CPR/First Aide

Fingerprint Clearance Card

Food Managers Card

• Base Salary: $40,000–$45,000 annually, depending on experience

  Performance Bonus: Opportunity to earn up to an additional $10,000 annually

  This provides a total potential annual compensation of $52,000–$55,000 for a Program Director who meets established performance goals.

  Position Details

  Position: Full-Time, Salaried

  Schedule: Monday–Friday

  Location: Mesa, Arizona

  This is an opportunity for an experienced childcare professional who wants to do more than simply maintain a program. We want someone who will lead it, strengthen it, and take pride in its success.

  If you are an experienced childcare leader who knows how to lead a team, expects high standards, loves working with children and families, and wants the opportunity to truly make a difference in a program, we would love to meet you.