Preschool Area Manager 

Chicago, Illinois

Cadence Education is one of the premier early childhood educators in the United States, operating over 280 private preschools and elementary schools across 30 states. With over 29 years in business, we have developed an unparalleled expertise in preparing students to thrive in the next step of their childhood.

Our overall mission is to provide parents with peace of mind by giving children an exceptional education every fun-filled day in a place as nurturing as home. This mission can only be accomplished through a team of passionate childcare professionals who combine their talents to provide an unparalleled level of care and compassion for children and their families. Our research-based curriculum and home-based environments are anything but a “daycare” – we are the evolution of early education.

Our schools are staffed with individuals who are talented, fun, and genuinely enthusiastic about child development and learning. We encourage collaboration and cherish open-communication in each school and with our corporate office.  We work hard to create an outstanding work-life balance by supporting leaders and staff members every step of the way. For additional information about Cadence, please visit www.cadence-education.com.

Benefits of Working at Cadence Education:

• Competitive compensation
• 100% childcare tuition discount
• Educational and professional development
• Comprehensive benefit package for all full-time employees, including:
• Paid time off that increases with seniority
• Medical, dental, vision options available
• Additional life, disability, and retirement plans
• Tuition reimbursement
• Company-paid life insurance
• Paid holidays

SAFETY FIRST: The health and safety of every person in our schools is our primary concern and we are taking every precaution to prevent potential exposure or spread of COVID-19 within our schools. We are actively partnering with local health departments and closely following guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Cadence Education is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Cadence Education is currently in search of our next Preschool Area Manager for our Cadence Academy Preschools in IL. The ideal candidate for this position will possess high standards, be dedicated, have proven successes leading a regional team of school directors, and be committed to excellence. 

Preschool Area Manager Required Skills:

• Must be 21 years of age or older
• Previous experience as an Area Manager or Preschool Director 
• Must have a minimum of an associate’s degree in child development or ECE, or the equivalent (defined as 64 semester hours in any discipline with a minimum of 21 semester hours in child development, ECE or ECE special education)
• Must have 3 semester hours or 3 points of credential approved training in administration, leadership, or management   
• Must be able to travel with little notice

Preschool Area Manager Responsibilities:

• Ensure school standards are maintained in accordance with the expectations set out by licensing authorities, Ancillary Government programs and company policies and procedures
• Makes sound and timely business decisions that keep the region moving forward
• Keeps abreast with current and possible future policies, practices, and trends in the organization, with the competition, and in the marketplace
• Assist our Directors to develop an operating business plan to address growth strategies and processes to drive schools to achieve and surpass revenue goals, profitability and business goals and objectives
• Create accountability and recognition process to achieve and exceed business goals
• Monitor and work with Directors on marketing initiatives to ensure the strategy is focused on enrollment growth
• Professionally represent the school’s brand in the community and maintain a high-quality reputation
• Establish and maintain systems to ensure all company initiatives and policies regarding safety and supervision are implemented and the schools are safe, clean, home like and educational
• Seek out current grants and accreditation assistance available
• Assist in handling emergency situations, crises or hostile behavior or situations in a calm and professional manner
• Develop, lead, and manage Directors and staff to deliver excellent customer service, a quality program and our companies promise to every child, family member and staff

Leadership

• Ensure school standards are maintained in accordance with the expectations set out by licensing authorities, Ancillary Government programs and company policies and procedures
• Create and implement a strategic plan to drive results and manages resources to achieve competitive advantage.
• Recognizes strengths, threats, weaknesses, and opportunities and develops solutions
• Makes sound and timely business decisions that keep the region moving forward
• Keeps abreast with current and possible future policies, practices, and trends in the organization, with the competition, and in the marketplace
• Quickly and decisively takes action in fast-changing, unpredictable situations
• Always upholds the highest level of professionalism

Financial Management

• Assist our Directors to develop an operating business plan to address growth strategies and processes to drive schools to achieve and surpass revenue goals, profitability and business goals and objectives
• Effectively analyzes and interprets quantitative information
• Create accountability and recognition process to achieve and exceed business goals
• Identify and monitor key financial indicators to gauge performance, identify trends and suggest strategies that can impact results
• Oversee compliance of the school’s ability to adhere to budgetary guidelines
• Translates and communicates goals and profitability to fit different audiences
• Identifies new ways to grow and diversify the business

Marketing

• Develop and champion creative ideas to increase brand awareness and actively move them into implementation
• Monitor and work with Directors on marketing initiatives to ensure the strategy is focused on enrollment growth
• Stay abreast of growth and trends of the industry/competitors and implement the modifications necessary to offer the most advanced and educationally enriched childcare environments in the area
• Professionally represent the school’s brand in the community and maintain a high-quality reputation
• Monitor systems and resources are being utilized properly for enrollment growth and retention

Program Quality

• Establish and maintain systems to ensure all company initiatives and policies regarding safety and supervision are implemented and the schools are safe, clean, home like and educational
• Develop workshops and trainings based on training initiatives for Directors and staff
• Assist Directors to continually address issues that ensure the Health, Safety and Security of children, staff and facilities at all times.
• Seek out current grants and accreditation assistance available
• Address and communicate new state or company policies appropriate people to ensure all communication has been updated.
• Oversee all ancillary programs to ensure requirements are being adhered to
• Monitor follow-up protocols and time frames for notifying State, Ancillary agencies, and School Support Center of crisis situations
• Assist in handling emergency situations, crises or hostile behavior or situations in a calm and professional manner

Customer Focus

• Develop, lead and manage Directors and staff to deliver excellent customer service, a quality program and our companies promise to every child, family member and staff
• Establish and maintain effective customer relationships through positive, engaging customer interactions, and uses customer insights to build and deliver solutions that exceed customer expectations.
• Continuously listen and act on customer concerns with a positive approach, tact and diplomacy. 
• Identify and understand the different stages of the customer’s journey and leverage that knowledge to create a quality customer experience.