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Executive Director - Preschool

Missoula, MT, USA
Full-time
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How to Apply

All interested candidates should send an individualized PDF of their cover letter and resume to [email protected] by April 30, 2025.

Missoula Community School is seeking their new Executive Director to lead our innovative early education program. This position is on-site, full-time, and located in Missoula, MT. we offer some healthcare reimbursement and the wage range is $52,000 - $58,000. Please see our website for a full description of essential duties and qualifications. Interested candidates should email their individualized cover letter and resume to our Executive Search Consultant, Paige, at [email protected] by April 30th. 

https://www.missoulacommunityschool.org/join-our-team

Areas of Responsibility: 

Staff Leadership & Development

  • Directly and indirectly oversee staff at Missoula Community School and maintain employment files.
  • Provide a career development path and opportunities for growth to engage staff and teachers.
  • Plan and facilitate initial staff orientation and ongoing training to establish clear expectations and ensure alignment with MCS mission, policies, and procedures.
  • Plan regular and ongoing professional development for staff in coordination with the Curriculum Coordinator. 
  • Evaluate staff performance, offering staff ongoing support and feedback, both informally with regular classroom observation and formally with annual performance reviews and, if necessary, disciplinary actions.
  • Assess school needs and determine enrollment projections to make a classroom staffing recommendation to the Board for budgetary approval.
  • Hire qualified staff, teachers, and substitutes including recruiting, screening, interviewing, offers, and new hire onboarding.
  • Maintain the Employee Handbook, reviewing at least annually and proposing policy adjustments to the Board as needed.

Program & Curriculum Development

  • Ensure the school’s pedagogical framework, as implemented by the Curriculum Coordinator, prioritizes inquiry-based learning, mindfulness, and the Reggio Emilia approach.
  • Collaborate with Curriculum Coordinator to develop meaningful special programs and school events in alignment with pedagogical vision.

Operational Management

  • Develop and manage staff schedules, including advance approval of time off requests.
  • Coordinate day-to-day classroom staffing including fielding calls for unforeseen absences, securing classroom coverage, and communicating day-to-day staffing changes appropriately.
  • Remain readily accessible by staff for urgent matters during the school day.
  • Keep a consistent, active, and engaged presence at school, particularly during morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up times, and in individual classrooms to observe staff.
  • Manage enrollment and class assignment process for both the school year and summer programs.
  • Lead all marketing and outreach – informational sessions, open houses, school tours, etc.
  • Serve as the chief security officer and primary point of contact, and lead deployment of all school safety and emergency protocols when needed.
  • Maintain a complete record of all school safety and emergency protocols, proposing updates to the Board as necessary.
  • Routinely inspect facility, grounds and security camera footage and report and act on security concerns appropriately.
  • Regularly evaluate facility spaces and classroom furnishings, making recommendations to the Board when capital investments are needed for facility maintenance and improvement.
  • Ensure school-wide compliance with licensing regulations, health and safety standards, and other relevant local, state & national requirements.
  • Maintain and submit proper documentation for annual licensing and STARS renewal as needed.
  • Prepare the Director’s Report for Board meetings every other month.
  • Provide additional support for teachers when needed.

Financial Oversight & Fund Development

  • Advise the Board on the development of the annual operating budget and wage scale for teaching staff and administer the Board-approved operating budget.
  • Collaborate with the Board Treasurer to ensure the school’s ongoing adherence to the budget.
  • Designate tuition scholarship funds available for disbursement each year and identify qualifying families to receive tuition scholarships. 
  • Actively partner with staff and the Board to develop an annual development plan, pursuing all funding opportunities including, but not limited to campaigns, partnerships, and events.
  • Research, coordinate, write, and manage all grant applications, timelines, and compliance. 
  • Represent MCS at school-sponsored community and fundraising events and engage the school with the Missoula community 

Inclusive & Collaborative Communication

  • Maintain open lines of communication with the Board of Directors, staff, parents, prospective families, and community.
  • Provide regular, ongoing, and prompt communication with families.
  • Serve as the point of contact for all school-wide matters, health and safety concerns, school closures, staffing updates, and any other special announcements.
  • Partner with Curriculum Coordinator and teaching staff to address student behavioral issues, including meeting with families and facilitating additional resources as needed.
  • Identify and facilitate resolution of conflicts that arise among staff and community in a confidential and compassionate manner.
  • Communicate and implement all school policies and procedures with staff, students and families, as identified in the Employee Handbook and Family Handbook. 
Educational Background: 
Bachelor's Degree in a related field or equivalent experience
Skills/Experience: 

Required Skills/Abilities:

  • Leadership and management experience in an organization focused on education or related nonprofit.
  • Familiarity with the principles of inquiry-based learning.
  • Proficiency in or willingness and ability to learn all software used for school operations.
  • Emergency and crisis management training is preferred.
  • Ability to thrive in a fast-paced work environment with specific deadlines.

Required Education and Experience: 

  • Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience. Master’s degree preferred.
  • Work experience in an educational setting or related nonprofit.

Required Licensure and Screenings:

  • Must complete a pre-employment background check and documentation of immunizations as required by the state licensing agency.
  • Must complete the approved CPR and First Aid courses within 30 days of hire.
  • Must complete the required licensing training within 90 days of hire.

Must register with the Early Childhood Project and complete required annual training.

Compensation/Benefits: 

$52,000 - $58,500 annual salary range

PTO and paid school holidays/breaks

Participation in staff healthcare reimbursement program

Professional development opportunities

How to Apply: 

All interested candidates should send an individualized PDF of their cover letter and resume to [email protected] by April 30, 2025.

Organization Info

Missoula Community School

Overview
Headquarters: 
Missoula, MT, USA
About Us
Areas of Focus: 
Mission: 

At MCS we believe that children are capable, kind and connected to the world around them. We center experiential, project-based learning that is child-led and teacher-scaffolded.

Programs: 

Missoula Community School is a Reggio Emilia-inspired preschool serving children ages 2-6. The Reggio approach is a play-based, inquiry-led educational philosophy rooted in viewing children as competent, capable citizens from birth. At MCS children and teachers are co-constructors of learning — engaging in long-term projects following the children’s inquiry, tackling real world problems that are relevant to the children’s lives, revisiting documentation as a group to inform future learning, and building skills in advocacy along the way.

Connect With Us

Listing Stats

Post Date: 
Apr 10 2025
Active Until: 
May 10 2025
Hiring Organization: 
Missoula Community School
industry: 
Nonprofit