Aimed at mid-level to senior early childhood education leaders who thrive in 24-hour operational environments and have a track record in licensing compliance and team development. Candidates must be based in or willing to relocate to Liberty, North Carolina.
Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.
Original posting from Vivvi Early Learning via Greenhouse
Who We Are
Vivvi is not your typical daycare or preschool! We’re reinventing child care and early learning for today’s families. We’re building high-quality, flexible, and innovative early childhood programs that support working families while creating meaningful career pathways for educators and leaders.
Join the team at our 24-hour child care center on Toyota’s campus in Liberty, NC, and play a key role in building a best-in-class early learning program from the ground up.
About the Role
As the Program Director, you will serve as the operational and cultural leader of the campus, responsible for driving program quality, licensing compliance, enrollment growth, and team performance.
This is a highly visible leadership role focused on child care center management, staff leadership, and operational excellence, ideal for an experienced early childhood leader who thrives in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.
You’ll oversee all aspects of the school, including daily operations, staffing and scheduling, compliance, and curriculum implementation aligned with North Carolina early learning standards, while building a strong, inclusive, and high-performing team.
Key Responsibilities
Center Leadership & Operations
Lead all child care center operations, including staffing, scheduling, and logistics between 7pm and 5am for our 24-hour school.
Develop and implement systems to support efficient program management and operational success.
Drive enrollment growth and retention while managing budgets and resources effectively.
Support a developmentally appropriate, high-quality early childhood program across all age groups.
Compliance, Licensing & Quality Assurance
Serve as the primary lead for licensing compliance, health and safety, and regulatory adherence for the overnight hours.
Maintain deep knowledge of North Carolina Child Care Licensing requirements and NC Star Rated License system.
Ensure continuous quality improvement with a goal of maintaining our 5-Star Child Care Rating.
Team Leadership & Staff Development
Lead, hiring, onboarding, and retention of teaching staff.
Be present in classrooms to provide ongoing coaching, mentorship, and performance management to your team.
Foster an inclusive, mission-driven workplace culture
Program Oversight & Curriculum Excellence
Ensure implementation of The Creative Curriculum® or similar research-based programs aligned with NC Early Learning standards.
Guide teaching teams in lesson planning, observation, and individualized instruction.
Ensure implementation of a play-based, emergent, and inquiry-driven learning that supports the whole child.
Maintain high standards of classroom quality and ensure child assessment.
Maintain safe and appropriate sleep practices for children in our overnight program
Family & Community Engagement
Deliver a best-in-class family experience from initial inquiry through enrollment and ongoing engagement.
Build strong relationships with families and community partners.
Champion an inclusive and welcoming environment for all families.
Qualifications
2–4 years of leadership experience in early childhood education, preschool, or child care administration.
Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education or related field (required).
North Carolina Administration Credential (Level III preferred).
Demonstrated success in child care center leadership, licensing compliance, and team management.
Knowledge of NC Child Care Star Rated License system and quality standards.
Experience implementing The Creative Curriculum® or similar research-based curricula.
Working knowledge of North Carolina Foundations for Early Learning and Development.
Strong leadership, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
Skilled in building relationships with families, staff, and community partners.
Passion for high-quality early childhood education and child development.
Compensation & Benefits
Program Directors earn competitive hourly compensation, based on experience and education.
What We Offer:
Full-time employees receive benefits including health, vision, and dental insurance, retirement savings, and commuter benefits.
Child-Centered Approach: Our educators facilitate each child’s success by observing their interests and developing a curriculum inspired by their curiosity. Learn more about our teaching philosophy here https://vivvi.com/programs
State-of-the-Art Facilities: All of our campuses are purposefully designed to offer endless opportunities for learning and discovery. Our newest campus in Liberty, N.C. is being specifically built to support the needs of the Toyota families, and will include the most up-to-date materials and equipment to ensure teachers have everything they need to deliver a high-quality educational experience.
Employee Development: We offer robust onboarding training, ongoing professional development days, and individual coaching and feedback. We also love to promote from within and are committed to helping our colleagues achieve their career goals at Vivvi!
To be considered, applicants must be based in or willing to relocate to Liberty, N.C. Candidates must also possess independent US work authorization. Physical demands of this position include but are not limited to sitting and standing for extended periods, bending at the waist, reaching overhead, and frequently moving or lifting children weighing up to 50 pounds unassisted. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact hr@vivvi.com. Determinations will be made on a case-by-case basis.
We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate based on race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion or religious creed, mental or physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, military or veteran status, or other characteristics protected by state or federal law or local ordinance.
Keywords: Program Director, Early Childhood Program Director, Child Care Center Director, Preschool Director, ECE Leadership, Early Learning Leader, School Operations Manager, Center Manager, Child Care Administrator, Child Care Leadership, Preschool Administration, Team Leadership, Staff Development, Teacher Coaching, Enrollment Growth, Curriculum Implementation, Lesson Planning, Child Assessment, Developmentally Appropriate Practice, Play-Based Learning, Inquiry-Based Learning, Emergent Curriculum, The Creative Curriculum®, Classroom Quality, NC Early Childhood Standards, North Carolina Foundations for Early Learning, Child Care Licensing Compliance, 5-Star Child Care Rating, Liberty NC, Toyota Campus Liberty, North Carolina Early Childhood Jobs, NC Child Care Jobs, NC Preschool Leadership, NC ECE Careers, Early Childhood Education, Child Care Center, Preschool, High-Quality Early Learning, Flexible Child Care Programs, Innovative Early Childhood Programs, Working Family Support, Mission-Driven Child Care, Inclusive Learning Environment, Family Engagement, Community Engagement, Early Childhood Career Pathways
Questions? Reach out to us at hr@vivvi.com and include your resume. We look forward to receiving and reviewing your application!