Site Director

Position Overview

Note: Idea Lab will help pay for continued training necessary to become a Licensed Site Director in Texas.

The Site Director is responsible for the day-to-day operation, safety, staffing, and overall success of an Idea Lab Kids campus. This is a hands-on leadership position for someone who enjoys working with children, supporting staff, communicating with families, and making sure the campus runs smoothly from open to close.

The Site Director serves as the primary on-site leader and helps create an environment where children are safe, engaged, learning, and having fun. The ideal candidate is organized, dependable, proactive, comfortable making decisions, and willing to jump in wherever needed.

Key Responsibilities

Campus Operations

Oversee the daily operation of the Idea Lab campus. Ensure the facility is clean, organized, safe, and ready for students each day. Manage daily opening and closing procedures. Monitor student attendance, ratios, transitions, and classroom coverage. Ensure staff are following Idea Lab policies, procedures, and daily schedules. Help coordinate summer camps, after-school programs, homeschool programs, single-day camps, and special events (such as Birthday Parties and Outreach Events). Identify operational issues and work with ownership to resolve them quickly.

Staff Leadership

Lead, support, and motivate teachers and counselors throughout each shift. Ensure staff understand their responsibilities and are actively supervising and engaging students. Assist with staff scheduling, coverage, breaks, and daily assignments. Train new employees on Idea Lab procedures, classroom expectations, safety practices, and daily operations. Provide ongoing coaching and feedback to staff. Address attendance, performance, and professionalism issues appropriately and communicate significant concerns to ownership. Lead by example and be willing to step into classrooms or other roles when needed.

Student Experience

Help create a fun, welcoming, and structured environment for children ages 5–12. Monitor student behavior and help staff manage classroom and group dynamics. Ensure students are actively engaged in hands-on STEM activities, free time, gym activities, and other scheduled programming. Assist with behavior management and communicate significant behavioral concerns with parents and ownership. Know the students and help create a positive relationship with families.

STEM & Classroom Leadership

Understand and support the Idea Lab Kids hands-on STEM curriculum. Ensure teachers are prepared for their daily projects and have the necessary materials. Occasionally lead or assist with hands-on STEM projects. Ensure classrooms are properly reset and supplies are organized after activities. Encourage staff to make STEM activities engaging, interactive, and age-appropriate.

Parent & Family Communication

Serve as a welcoming and professional point of contact for families at the campus. Answer parent questions and assist with day-to-day concerns. Communicate schedule, attendance, behavioral, and program-related information clearly and professionally. Help resolve parent concerns before they escalate whenever possible. Maintain a positive relationship with enrolled families and represent Idea Lab professionally.

Safety & Compliance

Maintain a strong understanding of Idea Lab's health, safety, supervision, and emergency procedures. Ensure appropriate staff-to-child ratios are maintained. Monitor staff compliance with required training, background checks, CPR/First Aid, and other licensing requirements. Complete required documentation and incident reports accurately and promptly. Follow Texas child-care licensing requirements and Idea Lab policies. Respond appropriately to emergencies and ensure staff know emergency procedures. Maintain accurate attendance and child accountability throughout the day.

Facility & Closing Responsibilities

Ensure classrooms, common areas, bathrooms, gym, and other areas remain clean and organized. Monitor supplies and communicate when materials or facility items need to be replenished or repaired. Make sure the campus is properly cleaned and secured at the end of the day. Work alongside the team during closing rather than delegating all closing responsibilities to others. What We're Looking For Experience working with school-age children in a camp, child-care, school, after-school, or similar environment. Previous leadership, supervisory, teaching, or program-management experience preferred. Strong communication and organizational skills. Comfortable supervising and coaching a team. Dependable, proactive, and able to work independently. Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment where priorities can change throughout the day. Energetic and enthusiastic about working with children. Willing to be hands-on and jump in wherever needed. Comfortable using technology and learning new systems. Ability to maintain professionalism when dealing with difficult situations or parent concerns. CPR/First Aid certification or willingness to obtain. Must meet all applicable Texas child-care licensing requirements. What Success Looks Like

A successful Idea Lab Site Director:

Knows what is happening throughout the campus at all times. Keeps students safe, engaged, and accounted for. Supports staff instead of simply managing from an office. Notices problems before they become bigger problems. Keeps classrooms and the facility organized. Communicates clearly with parents and employees. Makes sure daily programs start on time and run smoothly. Creates a positive culture for both children and staff. Can be trusted to take ownership of the campus when the owner or other leadership is not on-site. Physical & Work Requirements

This is an active, hands-on position. The Site Director should be comfortable spending significant portions of the day on their feet, walking throughout the facility, assisting in classrooms, participating in activities, and helping with setup and cleanup.

The position may require occasional evenings, weekends, special events, staff meetings, training, or other schedule adjustments based on program needs.