District Manager

Search KLC Job Openings District ManagerSUMMARYProactive middle management leadership role.  Held accountable for achieving results through others, via proactive leadership.  Primary District level change agent. Provides vision and leadership to Center Directors.  The District Manager plays a leadership role in supporting and reinforcing the Mission, Values, PRIDE and Spirit of Service (MVPS) to include: alignment of messages and priorities; consistent communication and connection to MVPS of initiatives; and gain commitment of field staff to MVPS.District Manager ensures effective center operations through leadership of Center Directors and any District Office support staff.  Directly accountable for operational aspects of a sizeable group of childcare centers, ensuring quality care and education for children; achievement of financial targets through sales and service management practices (including coaching to ensure enrollment growth and retention of existing customers), applying rigorous, proactive cost controls; incorporating active continuous improvement in quality of operations; demonstrating results in employee development and retention; delivering excellence in customer service; and ensuring legal compliance.Drives change in alignment with Leadership vision and direction, and tailored to unique center particulars.Partners with the Regional Vice President, Director of Operations, other District Managers, and Corporate leaders to maximize business opportunities, operate with a sales and service mentality, and achieve business results. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS·   Consistently executes operational plans that ensure the company’s mission of Serving families and children, in alignment with company values around children (PRIDE), employees (ASPIRE), and customers (SOS).·  Actively leads Center Directors to effectively accomplish District’s targets and objectives.·  Consistently meets or exceeds financial targets and all company and District goals, and continuously grows the business via active sales management including relationship selling and coaching routines.·  Actively partners with Marketing and leads and champions strategic marketing efforts that result in increased enrollment.·  Models and imbeds company mission and values into all operations, i.e., KLC Mission, Values, PRIDE guiding principles, Spirit of Service, etc.·  Proactively makes self known to every customer.·  Anticipates customer issues and in conjunction with CD's employs effective problem resolution skills and strategies.·  Partners with CD's to develop strategies to retain staff and develop bench-strength.·  Ensures timely training is received by CDs and /or others, that equips employees with job-critical knowledge and education.·  Conducts rigorous, systematic financial analysis of center results – evaluates, assesses, determines course of action, proactively guides Center Directors, and improves District results.·  Develops and maintains strong working relationships with state authorities, community contacts and corporate personnel.·  Ensures District-wide compliance with all federal, state and local laws, as well as company policies and procedures. Customer Acquisition and RetentionDevelops and manages District sales and service strategies to ensure continual enrollment growth and retention of existing customers. Customer focused and clear on relationship selling, coaching for relationship selling, and the connection between relationships and customer service.  Ensures customer satisfaction improvement through continuous action planning and follow up implementation.  Supports the development of and monitors center actions that result from customer survey data. Communicates and participate in a prescribed customer escalation process that consistently delivers effective and timely problem resolution. CoachingDemonstrates, and holds District employees accountable for building a culture founded on principles of responsibility, respect, relationship, recognition, and reward.  Develops, and maintains professional working relationships with employees at all levels.  Ensures CD retention.  Builds organizational capability by assessing bench strength and building internal and external talent pipeline.  Sets goals, observes and records gaps, provides feedback, monitors development.  Personally evaluates, coaches (utilizing standardized coaching routines), recognizes, and rewards (positive and negative) direct reports based on their performance.  Holds CDs accountable for managing the performance of his or her teams. Quality Program DeliveryEnsures that KLC programs, as directed by RVP and KLC Leadership, offer the best possible support to children in KLC’s care relative to physical, social, emotional and cognitive growth and development.  Typically spends 60% - 80% of time in the field. Implements RVP’s action plans to continuously upgrade program quality at all centers.  Continuously challenges the status quo, seeks, finds, and implements better ways of doing business. Conducts regular site visits, using KLC sanctioned quality assurance tools.  Uses weekly reporting and site visits to ensure that staffing is appropriate to the number of children and meets state and local regulations. Financial ManagementAchieves financial results.  Demonstrates financial and business acumen in analyzing, monitoring, and controlling all aspects of District’s financial targets, including cost and expense control.  Actively participates in monthly operations calls by driving preparation and follow-through.  Understands drivers of profitability, and coaches CDs in same.  Proactively uses KLC financial systems to systematically identify financial early warning flags, then develops timely action or correction plans and acts on them.  Focuses on key indicators like cash flow, accounts receivable, accounts payable, fixed vs. variable costs, payroll costs, income generation/tuition rates, and budgets. Operational ComplianceProactively ensures compliance with KLC health and safety policy and procedures and ensures expectations and standards are met or exceeded.  Understands and ensures all federal, state and local regulatory requirements are met at the District and center level.  Assures that all facilities meet health and safety guidelines in accordance with state, local and KLC policy. EDUCATION/KNOWLEDGE·  Experience managing multi-site organization.·  Related Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent work experience required.·  Master’s Degree preferred.·  2+ years of proven financial performance.·  2+ years previous Center Director experience is desirable.·  Early Childhood Education is desirable. EXPERIENCE·  Two or more years experience managing exempt (salaried) and hourly employees, quality control and finances in service industry required (children’s education, care, development preferred).·  Supervisory experience in Early Childhood Education, Education, or a closely related child related business desirable.·  Demonstrated strong skills in planning, marketing, sales management, employee development, customer service and financials.·  Budget and financial accountability and revenue-generation experience required. SOLID COMMUNICATION SKILLS·  Oral Communication – speaks clearly, confidently, and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification; responds well to questions.·  Written Communication – writes clearly and informatively at a level appropriate to target audience.·  Listening – is good at focused listening.·  Middle Management Representative – when called upon to represent the company in business or government settings, does so professionally, with grace, ease, and decorum. TECHNOLOGICAL SAVVYMust be computer literate at a general business-level (word processing, Excel spreadsheet, Microsoft Outlook e-mail functionality).  Must learn and effectively utilize all technological tools available, e.g., CASY, etc. PHYSICAL DEMANDS / WORK ENVIRONMENTConditions related to specific physical demands and the work environment include, but, are not limited to the following:·  Ability to sustain a high level of energy.·  Ability to excel in an ambiguous and continuously changing, competitive environment.·  Ability to thrive under frequent pressure.·  Ability to travel frequently, including extensive driving to and from centers and other locations as required on a very frequent basis.·  Overnight travel to company or other professional conferences or meetings is occasionally required.·  Must be physically able to use a personal computer.·  The noise level in the office work environment is usually quiet and typical of a traditional office environment.  Centers are dynamic with a high level of activity.