Style Director Jobs in Silver Spring, MD (NOW HIRING)

Lead a Growing School Community: Principal / Director of Admissions

Montessori Style Academy – Sterling, VA
Full-Time | $65,000–$69,000 per year

About the Role

Montessori Style Academy is seeking a warm, organized, and growth-minded Principal / Director of Admissions to help lead our school during an exciting period of growth. This role is ideal for a candidate who can confidently manage daily school operations, maintain compliance, build strong relationships with families, and drive enrollment through tours, follow-up communication, and community engagement.

The position also includes overseeing campus operations, supporting staff development, and serving as the primary on-site leader for families, students, and team members. This is a highly visible leadership opportunity for someone who excels at both operational management and relationship-based enrollment growth.

This position is best suited for a self-driven leader who takes ownership of their responsibilities, proactively identifies opportunities for improvement, and confidently addresses challenges as they arise. The ideal candidate does not wait to be told what needs to be done; instead, they anticipate needs, take initiative, and consistently follow through to ensure the school operates at a high level.

What You'll Do

• Lead the day-to-day operations of the school and serve as the primary on-site administrator.
• Welcome prospective families, conduct school tours, and guide families through the enrollment process.
• Build strong relationships with current and prospective families through responsive, professional communication.
• Ensure the school maintains a safe, clean, nurturing, and supportive environment for students and staff.
• Support teacher success through coaching, classroom observations, staff meetings, and ongoing professional guidance.
• Assist ownership with recruiting, interviewing, and hiring qualified staff members.
• Uphold school policies, operational procedures, and all applicable licensing and regulatory requirements.
• Partner with ownership and staff to foster a welcoming, high-service culture for children and families.
• Represent the school at community events, networking opportunities, and outreach activities to support enrollment growth and community awareness.
• Monitor enrollment goals, maintain accurate records, and ensure timely follow-up with prospective families.
• Address parent concerns and questions professionally and proactively, maintaining strong family satisfaction and retention.

Required Qualifications

Candidates must meet the qualifications required for a Virginia Child Day Program Director, including being at least 21 years of age and meeting one of the approved education and experience pathways for program leadership.

Qualified candidates will typically possess one of the following:

• A graduate degree in a child-related field and qualifying programmatic experience.
• A bachelor's degree in a child-related field and qualifying programmatic experience.
• An approved combination of child-related college coursework, credentialing, and programmatic experience.

Candidates must also have:

• A minimum of five (5) years of direct school leadership experience as a School Director, Assistant Director, Principal, Director of Admissions, or a comparable educational administrator.
• Demonstrated experience conducting tours, nurturing family relationships, and converting prospective families into enrolled students.
• Proven experience overseeing daily school operations, staff supervision, and program management.
• Knowledge of licensing compliance and operational requirements within an early childhood education setting.
• Strong organizational, communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills.
• Highly self-motivated and proactive, with the ability to independently identify priorities, anticipate needs, and take initiative without requiring constant direction or oversight.
• Demonstrated history of taking ownership of outcomes and driving initiatives to completion with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple responsibilities simultaneously while maintaining strong attention to detail, organization, and follow-through.
• A solutions-oriented leader who takes ownership of challenges, makes sound decisions, and consistently follows through to completion.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, growing environment where adaptability, resourcefulness, and independent problem-solving are essential.
• A passion for providing exceptional service to children, families, and staff.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leading enrollment growth initiatives and community outreach efforts.
• Experience opening, growing, or leading a developing school campus.
• Familiarity with Montessori-inspired, child-centered, or early childhood educational environments.
• Experience with admissions management, CRM systems, or enrollment tracking software.
• Demonstrated success building strong school-family partnerships and community relationships.

Why This Role Matters

As a growing campus, Montessori Style Academy is seeking a leader who can strengthen daily operations while helping increase enrollment through outstanding family engagement and community presence. This role is central to the school's continued success and is ideal for someone who enjoys building community, supporting educators, and helping a school thrive.

The successful candidate will be someone who naturally takes ownership, sees what needs to be done, and takes action. We are looking for a leader who is committed to excellence, embraces accountability, and helps create a positive, collaborative culture for students, families, and staff.

Compensation & Benefits

• $65,000–$69,000 per year, based on experience and qualifications
• Paid time off and holidays
• Professional development and career growth opportunities
• Opportunity to play a key leadership role in a growing school community
• Supportive ownership team and collaborative work environment

About Montessori Style Academy

Montessori Style Academy is committed to creating an inclusive, nurturing, and engaging learning environment where children develop independence, confidence, and a lifelong love of learning. We value strong partnerships with families, exceptional educational experiences, and a culture of collaboration, respect, and continuous improvement.

If you are an experienced educational leader who is passionate about building community, supporting teachers, growing enrollment, and leading with initiative and integrity, we encourage you to apply.