District Manager in Training - Knowledge Universe (Long Island City, NY)

Manages a portfolio of ECE centers by leading and coaching a team of 2 to 5 Center Directors to deliver on our brand promise. Drives quality and consistency of the center experience across assigned centers to maximize customer acquisition and retention. Develops talent and inspires a learning community that is relentlessly focused on creating customer loyalty using organizational processes and tools in order to exceed the expectations of our families. Helps meet business goals by consistently delivering results on special projects and other developmental assignments. Uses problem solving, creates accountability, builds employee engagement, and provides recognition in order to achieve and exceed business performance goals. Job Responsibilities: Ensures deep family relationships through positive, engaging interactions; makes sound business decisions with children and families in mind. Proactively and routinely connects with families to ensure satisfaction before, as well as after, concerns arise. Knows the competitive landscape, clearly articulates the value proposition, and maximizes our specific competitive advantages within the market. Gathers, analyzes and uses family information to manage relationships and profitability. Establishes and maintains systems to ensure centers are clean, safe, inviting, in good repair and meet health and safety guidelines. Deals effectively with diversity and understands different cultural nuances within assigned markets. Understands early childhood education and leverages that knowledge to create a quality family experience. Models and embeds company mission and values into all operations (i.e., KU Mission, KU Values) Manages the area as a portfolio of business, not only one center at a time. Identifies sales opportunities, driving portfolio decisions to maximize revenue and reduce variability. Maintains a laser-like focus on family acquisition and retention, using the established processes, tools, and resources provided. Consistently monitors district and center level performance for trends, outliers, and best practices. Thoughtfully manages controllable expenses to improve area profitability and quality. Conducts rigorous analysis to identify root cause before taking corrective action. Takes timely action to address risks and opportunities, verifies outcomes and adjusts business practices. Anticipates future trends and opportunities to drive performance and integrates them into actionable plans. Ensures consistent utilization and improvement of tools, resources, and processes to manage operations and optimize productivity within the guidelines provided. Provides freedom within the framework; empowers team members to work within clear boundaries and confronts outlier behavior with feedback and consequences. Balances short term and long range planning. Prioritizes effectively. Ensures area-wide compliance with all federal, state and local laws, regulations, and guidelines, as well as company policies and procedures. Proactively looks for ways to mitigate risk. Creates strong partnerships with corporate Shared Services resources to support outcomes. Develops effective relationships with agencies, vendors, and other external resources. Builds Center Director engagement through motivation and leveraging strengths and abilities. Articulates clear standards and expectations, asks questions and actively listens, and gives timely and effective feedback. Invites and engages in productive dialogue, using a variety of communication and leadership skills to engage and develop talent. Holds individuals and team accountable to performance expectations, rewarding and recognizing results and behavior appropriately. Provides communication, training, and resources for professional and team development. Recruits talent and supports talent management processes beyond area boundaries at all levels. Provides development opportunities, proactively builds talent bench, manages retention risks, and manages associated change. Working Conditions/travel: This is a field based position; 60-80% of time working on site with team members in markets. Must be able to drive a vehicle (most sites within driving distance) and occasionally fly to make overnight trips for travel to some markets, regional, divisional, or national meetings and conferences. Must be able to effectively use all technology and tools provided to communicate effectively and manage business requirements. Experience and Education: At least 3-5 years of experience as a high performing leader of an Early Childhood Education center or school Bachelors degree required, preferably in Early Childhood Education or equivalent, advanced degree preferred Proven and sustained financial and quality results Multi-unit leader experience preferred but not required Knowledge Universe provides a competitive compensation package including healthcare coverage, life insurance, 401(K) with a company match, paid time off, tuition reimbursement, professional development, and significant employee discounts at our centers. In addition, we believe strongly in promoting from within. Knowledge Universe is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, military or veteran status, gender identity or expression, or any other basis protected by local, state, or federal law.

Source: http://justjobs.com/jobsearch/display/216443659