Director — Lightbridge Academy of Timonium
About Us
At Lightbridge Academy, we are "The Solution for Working Families" — a high-quality early childhood education center where laughter, learning, and "a-ha moments" fill every day. Built on our Circle of Care, our nurturing culture isn't just for the children in our care — it extends to every family and team member in our community. Behind every thriving center is a strong, inspiring leader, and we're looking for an experienced, people-first Director to guide ours.
The Opportunity
As our Director, you'll be the heart and driving force of the center — the leader families trust, teachers look up to, and our community depends on. You'll be responsible for managing the full operations of the center, growing enrollment, marketing the center, and keeping us in full compliance with all licensing and franchise standards, while overseeing the program, staff, and curriculum. You'll shape a warm, well-run environment where children flourish, staff thrive, and the center continues to grow. This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who loves early childhood education, is driven by results, and takes pride in a beautifully run, full center. We're growing rapidly, so this role carries strong growth potential for the right leader ready to grow with us. Full-time position.
What You'll Do
Manage the Operations
- Oversee the day-to-day operations of the entire center and keep everything running smoothly
- Manage the program, curriculum, and classroom scheduling, ensuring a developmentally appropriate, engaging learning experience
- Operate the center within budget, managing payroll, registration, petty cash, and supply purchasing
- Maintain accurate children's and faculty records and prepare reports as needed
- Coordinate maintenance, repairs, inventory, and vendor relationships
- Implement health, nutrition, transition, and playground safety programs
- Keep the center organized, efficient, and running like a well-oiled machine every single day
Grow Enrollment & Market the Center
- Drive enrollment growth and work to keep the center full
- Develop and execute marketing and community outreach efforts to attract new families
- Warmly welcome families, conduct tours, and follow through with every prospective family to convert inquiries into enrollments
- Manage the center's social media, website, and online presence
- Build and maintain strong relationships with current and prospective families
- Implement engaging orientation programs for new families
Ensure Compliance
- Maintain full compliance with all state licensing regulations and franchise standards at all times
- Keep licensing documentation current and maintain a positive relationship with the licensing agent or agency
- Monitor classroom ratios throughout the day
- Ensure children's and faculty records meet state and franchise requirements
- Lead safety and emergency drills and implement medication and safety programs
Lead the Team
- Recruit, hire, train, mentor, and support a wonderful team of faculty members
- Conduct faculty orientations, reviews, monthly meetings, and ongoing professional development
- Maintain strong home-school communication and foster a positive, supportive culture for staff and families alike
Qualifications
- Previous management experience in a licensed childcare center or preschool
- A proven ability to manage center operations, grow enrollment, market a center, and maintain licensing compliance
- A bachelor's degree or higher in early childhood education, elementary education, or child development OR a bachelor's degree in a related field with 18 semester hours of coursework (including 12 documented hours related to young children from birth to age eight)
- Any additional qualifications required by Maryland state and/or local licensing authorities
- Strong leadership, organization, and communication skills
- The ability to train faculty effectively and ensure compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and franchise standards
- A warm, professional manner with children, families, and staff
- The ability to handle crisis situations calmly, including assisting in building evacuations during emergencies
- Comfort with recordkeeping, technology, and digital tools
Does This Describe You?
- You're a natural leader who brings out the best in your team
- You keep the entire operation running smoothly, down to the last detail
- You know how to fill a center and keep families excited to enroll
- You greet every family like they belong here
- You stay on top of every detail, deadline, and licensing requirement
- You have an "I've got this" attitude, even on the busiest days
- You take pride in a center that runs beautifully from top to bottom
What We Offer
- Competitive annual salary ($62,000–$70,000, based on experience)
- Strong growth potential as we expand rapidly
- Health insurance and health savings account
- 401(k) and retirement plan with matching
- Generous paid time off, parental leave, and sick days
- Tuition reimbursement and professional development
- Paid certifications (including CPR/First Aid)
- Clear career advancement path
- Employee mentoring with hands-on training and support
- Employee assistance program
- Childcare discount for your own family
- Referral program and bonus incentives
- A safe, healthy environment with an advanced air purification system
Apply Today
If you're an experienced early childhood leader who loves running a smooth operation, growing a center, caring for families, and keeping a tight, compliant ship, we'd love to meet you. As we grow, so can you.
Job Type: Full-time Work Location: In person
Benefits: 401(k) 401(k) matching Employee assistance program Employee discount Flexible schedule Health savings account Paid time off Parental leave Professional development assistance Referral program Retirement plan Tuition reimbursement
Pay: $62,000.00 - $70,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Employee assistance program
- Employee discount
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Professional development assistance
- Referral program
- Tuition reimbursement
Work Location: In person
