Vice President of Education and Career Development

Job Details

Description

New Horizon Academy and Kinderberry Hill Child Development Centers are seeking a new Vice President of Education and Career Development. We are a leading organization in the early childhood education industry, dedicated to providing high-quality educational programs to children 0 to 6 years of age. We strive to provide the best early childhood experiences for young children, building their confidence so they can become capable and resilient lifelong learners. Beyond our classrooms, we care about all children. We work diligently to ensure all children have access to high quality early learning experiences in their most critical time of brain development.

We are a Minnesota-based, family-owned and operated company that has been serving young children since 1971. Today, our multi-state markets include 100+ schools and 2,500+ employees serving nearly 10,000 children every day in Minnesota, Iowa, Kansas, Idaho, and Colorado. We are expanding in other states as well and continuing to grow.

Position Overview

As a member of the New Horizon Academy executive team, the Vice President, Education and Career Development has overall responsibility for the design and implementation of career development strategies across the organization. Managing the Education team, this role also collaborates with internal teams, external partners, and educators to ensure that education and career advancement initiatives support the retention and development of our staff. This position also has overall responsibility for sustained adaptation of Teaching Strategies, Creative Curriculum, GOLD Assessment, and Conscious Discipline within our schools in all markets. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership skills, a passion for early childhood education, and the ability to foster strategic partnerships.

Essential Functions

Education Team:

• Research and implement cutting-edge Early Childhood Education (ECE) ideas.
• Cultivate relationships and partnerships with various vendors, including Teaching Strategies, Lakeshore, Kaplan, Lillio, SEEDS/Collaborative Classroom, Before Racism, and Free Spirit.
• Conduct monthly meetings with District Curriculum Coordinators (DCCs) and Mental Health Specialists.
• Supervise and support team members including Mental Health Specialists, Education Quality Assurance Specialist, and Conscious Discipline Specialists.
• Develop and maintain Creative Curriculum resources, including parent communication materials, teacher resources, WeConnect platform, Commitment to Excellence, GOLD setup for schools and management, posting on Creative Curriculum hub, ongoing external meetings, etc.
• Lead content creation for new classes and renew existing classes as needed.
• Oversee approval processes for classes, including compliance with state regulations and program standards.
• Manage the Early Childhood Management Trainee (ECMT) program, including recruitment, placement, supervision, and training (working closely with District Managers and Area Directors in each market).
• Oversee the Mentor Program, working with DCCs to guide mentor-mentee relationships, and providing training and support.
• Drive career path initiatives, including interviews, presentations, and mentorship opportunities.
• Identify and secure qualified speakers for in-house training programs.
  
  

Career Development

• Establish and nurture relationships with college professors and administrators to facilitate partnerships with colleges and universities.
• Oversee tuition reimbursement programs and support employees in pursuing further education.
• Oversee the engagement with current and prospective students, monitoring progress and providing support.
• Collaborating with teams at the Home Office, oversee the partnerships with state initiatives (i.e. E.A.C.H. and REETAIN, etc.)
• Interface with Parent Aware personnel to ensure alignment with accreditation standards.
  
  

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Oversee the Education team and provide coaching and guidance that supports the development of team members.
  
  

Other

• Participate in Executive Team and Operations Leadership meetings.
• Stay up to date on NAEYC and NECPA accreditation standards, as well as federal and state educational requirements for early childhood education employees.
• Design and oversee professional development events; support the bi-annual direct retreat planning as needed.
• Provide on-site support at schools in Minnesota and multi-state markets as needed.
• Participate in working groups that support overall organizational improvement.
• Design and deliver age-appropriate presentations on topics such as bullying prevention for young children.
  
  

Qualifications

Required:

• Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Education, or a related field.
• Minimum of 15 years of experience in early childhood education leadership or a similar role.
• Solid working knowledge of curriculum development and program management.
• Deep understanding of early childhood education principles and best practices.
• Strong public speaking skills with extensive training experience.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills, with the ability to build relationships at all levels of the organization.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects and initiatives simultaneously.
• Demonstrated experience in team management and development.
• Must reside in Minnesota and be willing to travel to schools throughout Minnesota and other states.
  
  

Preferred

• Ph.D. in Early Childhood Education, Education Administration, or a related field.
• Familiarity with state-specific early childhood education regulations and accreditation standards.
• Experience in establishing and maintaining partnerships with educational institutions and vendors.
• Certification in Conscious Discipline or similar social-emotional learning programs.
  
  

In addition to competitive compensation, we offer a suite of industry-leading benefits, including:

• Company-sponsored medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance.
• 401(k) plan with company match.
• Paid time off.
• Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs).
• Health and wellness programs.
• Ongoing professional development.
• Generous childcare discounts at any New Horizon Academy locations across the U.S.