Assistant Director

Job Description

Starting Date: June 1, 2026

ABOUT TRIBECA COMMUNITY SCHOOL:

Founded in 2006 in the TriBeCa neighborhood of New York City, Tribeca Community School (TCS) has grown from a single classroom into a highly respected early-childhood program with a national and international reputation for excellence in teaching and program design. For two decades, the school has remained deeply committed to a child-centered, community-rooted philosophy inspired by progressive and Reggio Emilia–informed educational practices.

The Ridgefield campus represents a thoughtful expansion of this long-standing vision. Serving children ages 6 weeks through Kindergarten in a full-day, year-round model, the school is designed to meet the needs of modern families while maintaining deep fidelity to child development and educational quality.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Assistant Director is a key operational leader and thought partner to the Head of Program, responsible for ensuring the smooth, consistent, and high-functioning day-to-day operations of the school.

While the Head of Program leads the school’s educational vision, pedagogy, and family relationships, the Assistant Director ensures that the systems, structures, and logistics required to support that vision are executed with clarity and excellence.

This role is ideal for an early-childhood professional who combines strong educational knowledge with exceptional organizational and operational skill; someone who thrives in dynamic environments, anticipates needs, solves problems proactively, and takes pride in making complex systems run seamlessly.

As a founding team member, the Assistant Director will play a central role in building the operational foundation of the school from the ground up.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

School Operations & Daily Execution:

● Oversee the day-to-day operational flow of the school, ensuring a calm, organized, and well-functioning environment
● Manage daily staffing schedules, classroom coverage, and ratio compliance across all age groups
● Coordinate arrivals, dismissals, and transitions to ensure smooth experiences for children, families, and staff
● Anticipate and respond to real-time operational needs, stepping in as needed to support classrooms or logistics
● Maintain oversight of facilities, supplies, and shared spaces to ensure readiness and consistency

Staffing, Scheduling & HR Operations:

● Partner with leadership on hiring, onboarding, and staffing strategy
● Build and manage staff schedules, time-off tracking, and coverage plans
● Support substitute and floater coordination to ensure continuity of care and teaching
● Help manage staff performance processes, including documentation and operational feedback
● Contribute to building a strong, reliable, and accountable team culture

Systems, Compliance & Licensing:

● Ensure compliance with Connecticut licensing requirements, including ratios, documentation, and operational standards
● Maintain accurate records related to attendance, staffing, health and safety, and required reporting
● Support licensing visits, inspections, and ongoing regulatory readiness
● Develop and refine operational systems, procedures, and internal workflows

Family Experience & Communication:

● Support the day-to-day family experience, with particular attention to logistics, scheduling, and operational clarity
● Serve as a warm, responsive, and solutions-oriented point of contact for families, particularly around operational questions and needs
● Partner closely with the Head of Program to ensure clear, timely, and thoughtful communication with families
● Actively participate in the admissions and onboarding process, including joining tours and family meetings alongside the Head of Program
● Help manage enrollment logistics, transitions, and onboarding processes for new families, ensuring a smooth and welcoming entry into the school community

Program Support & School Culture:

● Partner closely with the Head of Program to align operations with educational priorities
● Support classroom teams in maintaining consistent routines and expectations
● Help ensure that the physical and logistical environment reflects the school’s values and standards
● Contribute to building a warm, respectful, and highly collaborative school culture

Founding Team & Build-Out:

● Play an active role in setting up the school prior to opening (systems, schedules, materials, workflows)
● Help operationalize the use of new spaces including classrooms, atelier, and shared environments
● Identify opportunities to improve systems and processes as the school grows
● Contribute to shaping a scalable, sustainable operational model

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Qualifications:

● 5+ years of experience in early childhood education
● Prior experience in an operational, administrative, or leadership role within a school or childcare setting
● Strong understanding of child development and early childhood program structure
● Demonstrated ability to manage complex logistics, scheduling, and systems
● Highly organized, detail-oriented, and proactive in problem-solving
● Excellent communication skills with staff, families, and leadership
● Ability to remain calm, flexible, and solutions-focused in a dynamic environment

Preferred Qualifications:

● Experience in a Reggio-inspired or progressive early childhood program
● Experience opening or scaling a school or program
● Familiarity with Connecticut licensing requirements
● Experience with childcare management systems (e.g., Brightwheel or similar)
Personal Attributes We Value
● Deeply reliable and operationally minded; someone who “holds the whole system”
● Warm, grounded, and respectful in all interactions
● Takes initiative and anticipates needs before they arise
● Balances high standards with flexibility and practicality
● Collaborative partner who communicates clearly and directly
● Energized by building something new and meaningful

Why Join TCS Ridgefield?

This is a rare opportunity to join the founding leadership team of a new early-childhood school backed by 20 years of experience and a clear educational vision.

The Assistant Director will play a critical role in bringing that vision to life, ensuring that each day runs smoothly, that educators are supported, and that families experience a school that feels thoughtful, organized, and deeply caring.
For the right candidate, this role offers the opportunity to build, shape, and lead the operational systems of a school designed with intention from the very beginning.