Preschool Executive Director

The Goddard School of Chicago–Roscoe Village is seeking an experienced, hands-on Executive Director to lead our established preschool community.

The ideal candidate is a strong early childhood leader who enjoys developing teachers, improving systems, strengthening family relationships, and creating a culture of consistency, accountability, and professional growth. Working closely with ownership and the administrative team, the Executive Director will oversee school operations, staffing, educational quality, enrollment, compliance, and financial performance.

Position Details and Benefits

• Full-time
• Salary: $80,000–$100,000, based on qualifications and experience
• Sign-on Bonus
• Performance-based bonus
• Free Childcare
• Blue Cross Blue Shield medical insurance
• Dental and vision insurance
• 401(k) with employer match
• 15 days of paid time off in the first year
• Paid winter break
• Professional development and advancement opportunities

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all daily school operations while maintaining a safe, organized, welcoming, and nurturing environment.
• Recruit, onboard, coach, develop, and retain teachers and administrative staff.
• Establish clear expectations and build a culture of professionalism, collaboration, and accountability.
• Strengthen schoolwide systems, procedures, and communication.
• Support high-quality, play-based educational programming
• Manage staffing schedules, classroom coverage, labor expenses, budgets, and operational goals.
• Build strong relationships with current families through proactive and responsive communication.
• Ensure compliance with Illinois DCFS licensing regulations, health and safety standards, and school policies.
• Use childcare management systems and reporting tools to monitor staffing, enrollment, compliance, and school performance.
• Partner with ownership to evaluate performance and identify opportunities for continued improvement and growth.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Elementary Education, Educational Leadership, or a related field.
• At least three years of successful experience as an Assistant Director, Director or Executive Director of a licensed childcare center or preschool.
• Experience leading a large center with at least 100 enrolled children and 25 or more faculty members.
• Must meet or exceed Illinois DCFS Director qualification requirements.
• Demonstrated success developing teams, improving operations, and supporting enrollment growth.
• Strong leadership, communication, organization, decision-making, and relationship-building skills.
• Experience using childcare management software and technology.
• Must meet all background-check, health, and state licensing requirements.

The Leader We Are Seeking

We are looking for a confident and approachable leader who sets high expectations while providing meaningful support. This person should be highly involved in daily operations, comfortable managing difficult situations, and able to balance teacher development, family experience, enrollment, compliance, staffing, and financial responsibilities.

This is an opportunity to lead an established preschool, shape its culture, strengthen its systems, develop an outstanding team, and make a meaningful difference for children and families.

Each Goddard School location is privately owned and operated by Goddard Franchisor LLC franchisees. The Goddard School franchise owner(s) are the employers at each school, and the franchise owner(s) set their own wage and benefit programs, which vary by location.