Head of School

About the Opportunity

We are partnering on a confidential search for a Head of School to lead a well-established and growing private early childhood education center in the Kansas City metro area.

This organization has experienced strong growth and is positioned for continued expansion, including potential facility development and program enhancements. The school currently serves infants through early childhood and is seeking a professional, operationally-minded leader to guide its next phase.

This is an opportunity for a leader who thrives in a hands-on, fast-paced environment and is excited to bring structure, leadership, and long-term vision to a high-potential school.

The Role

The Head of School will serve as the senior leader responsible for day-to-day operations, staff leadership, and overall school performance. This individual will focus on running the business and operations of the school while ensuring a high-quality educational experience.

This is a leadership-focused role (not classroom-based), requiring strong oversight of staff, systems, and school operations.

Key Responsibilities

Operational & Leadership Oversight

• Lead all day-to-day school operations, ensuring efficiency, organization, and accountability
• Oversee staffing, scheduling, and workforce planning across classrooms
• Manage employee relations, performance, and team development
• Establish structure, processes, and professional standards across the organization

Staff Leadership & Culture

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of educators and support staff
• Foster a professional, positive, and accountable work environment
• Address performance issues and support ongoing staff development
• Ensure appropriate staffing ratios and compliance standards are consistently met

Program & Curriculum Oversight

• Oversee implementation and consistency of the school’s educational approach
• Ensure curriculum aligns with early childhood best practices
• Partner with teaching staff to maintain a high-quality learning environment

Financial & Administrative Management

• Manage budgets, staffing costs, and operational expenses
• Oversee administrative functions including documentation, reporting, and compliance
• Provide input on marketing, enrollment strategy, and overall business growth

Growth & Strategic Support

• Support future expansion efforts, including potential new facilities
• Partner with ownership on long-term planning and school development initiatives

Ideal Candidate Profile

We are seeking a seasoned leader from within the education or school operations space who brings both professionalism and a strong understanding of early childhood environments.

Required Experience

• 5+ years of leadership experience within a school, childcare center, or similar environment

Prior experience as a:

• Head of School
• Director / Assistant Director of a school or childcare center
• OR similar operational leadership role within education

Key Qualifications

• Strong leadership and staff management experience
• Demonstrated ability to run day-to-day operations of a school or center
• Experience handling employee relations and team performance
• Understanding of early childhood education environments and standards

Preferred

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Business, or related field is required
• Experience in a growing or scaling organization
• Familiarity with licensing, compliance, and staffing requirements

What Success Looks Like

• A well-structured, professionally run school environment
• Strong staff performance, retention, and accountability
• Smooth day-to-day operations with clear processes and expectations
• Continued growth and stability of the school

Compensation

• Base Salary: $85K – $100K+ (flexible for the right candidate)
• Bonus: Discretionary annual bonus
• Additional: Potential phone allowance
• Benefits: Health coverage + PTO (2–3 weeks, based on experience)

Why This Role Stands Out

• Opportunity to step into a high-impact leadership role
• Strong ownership support and openness to new leadership direction
• Growth potential with future expansion plans
• Ability to shape the structure, culture, and long-term success of the school

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled

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The Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and/or security clearance requirements