Position Summary:
The Executive Director (ED) of The Little French School is the Chief Executive Officer responsible for leading the organization in alignment with its mission, vision, and values. The ED oversees all aspects of the preschool’s operations, including strategic planning, program development, financial management, fundraising, human resources, compliance, and community engagement.
This role is not confined to being on-site daily and is expected to spend a significant amount of time engaging with the public, cultivating relationships, and securing support for the school through networking, advocacy, and fundraising efforts. By fostering connections with donors, community partners, and stakeholders, the ED plays a vital role in ensuring the school’s financial sustainability and continued growth.
While focusing on external engagement, the ED also remains highly attuned to the big-picture elements of the business, including financial projections, services being provided, and compliance with licensing and accreditation standards. This individual ensures the delivery of a high-quality early childhood education experience, promotes a safe and nurturing environment for children, and fosters strong relationships with families, staff, donors, and community partners. The Executive Director is also responsible for overseeing the planning, delegation, and preparation for key annual events, including Open House, French Night Out, teacher/parent conferences, and the alumni reunion. This role requires a flexible hands-on approach, including the ability to step into the classroom when necessary to support teachers and maintain a high-quality learning environment.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Leadership & Strategic Planning
- Provide visionary leadership to advance the preschool’s mission.
- Develop and implement a strategic plan in collaboration with the Board of Directors.
- Ensure the organization remains financially and operationally sustainable.
- Foster a culture of inclusivity, innovation, and excellence in early childhood education.
2. Program Development & Oversight
- Oversee the development, implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement of high-quality early childhood education programs.
- Ensure programs are aligned with best practices and state licensing regulations.
- Promote an inclusive, developmentally appropriate, and play-based learning environment.
- Support teachers and staff in professional development, coaching, and curriculum enhancements.
3. Financial Management
- Develop and manage the annual budget in collaboration with the Board of Directors.
- Oversee financial operations, including grant funding, tuition collection, and expense management.
- Ensure compliance with nonprofit financial reporting standards and audits.
- Identify and pursue funding opportunities, including grants, sponsorships, and donations.
- Provide transparent financial reporting to the Board and key stakeholders.
4. Fundraising & Community Engagement
- Lead fundraising efforts, including donor relations, special events, and grant writing.
- Cultivate relationships with donors, foundations, businesses, and community organizations to enhance support.
- Represent the preschool at public events, networking opportunities, and community meetings.
- Develop and implement marketing and outreach strategies to increase enrollment and funding support.
- Strengthen the preschool’s presence and reputation within the community.
5. Human Resources & Staff Development
- Recruit, hire, train, and retain a high-quality team of educators and support staff.
- Foster a positive, collaborative, and mission-driven workplace culture.
- Conduct performance evaluations, provide mentorship, and support ongoing professional development.
- Ensure compliance with labor laws, licensing regulations, and organizational policies.
- Promote staff well-being and a healthy work environment.
6. Governance & Compliance
- Serve as the primary liaison between the Board of Directors and staff.
- Provide regular reports and updates to the Board regarding operations, finances, and strategic initiatives.
- Ensure compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations, including licensing and accreditation requirements.
- Develop and implement policies and procedures to maintain operational efficiency and legal compliance.
Qualifications:
Education & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, nonprofit management, business administration, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred).
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in early childhood education, nonprofit management, or a related leadership role.
- Demonstrated experience in budget management, fundraising, grant writing, and strategic planning.
- Knowledge of state licensing regulations and best practices in early childhood education.
- Preferred experience working with a Board of Directors and community stakeholders.
- Fluency in French language is highly preferred, but not required.
Skills & Competencies
- Strong leadership and organizational skills.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.
- Proven ability to build and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders.
- Ability to develop and execute strategic plans and operational goals.
- Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in early childhood education.
- Proficiency in financial management, nonprofit administration, and compliance oversight.
- Strong problem-solving, decision-making, and conflict resolution skills.
Physical & Mental Demands
This role primarily involves light physical activity, with occasional lifting of items such as boxes of files, classroom equipment, or tables and chairs for events. The position requires periods of computer use. The work environment is a preschool setting, featuring ambient noise from nearby toddler classrooms, which may require the ability to focus amidst background sounds. There are no significant environmental challenges, aside from rare instances like heating malfunctions. This role also involves significant off-site engagement, including networking, community events, and meetings, which may require frequent travel and adaptability to various settings. As such, the Executive Director must be comfortable with both quiet office work and dynamic public interactions, maintaining energy and focus across different environments.
Application Process:
- Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, and three professional references to lfsdirectorsearch@gmail.com. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis starting immediately.
- The Little French School is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences.
Compensation:
- Annual Salary $58,000-68,000 depending upon education and experience
- Health Insurance benefits including vision and dental
- 15 PTO days per year
- 11 paid federal holidays
- Simple IRA with 3% employer match