Job Description

Location:

Scottsdale, Arizona

Travel: 20–30%

Reports to: CEO and VP Real Estate & Development

The Role:

We’re hiring a Director of Project Management to own the full lifecycle of new childcare centers—from pre-acquisition due diligence and entitlements, through design and construction, to a clean handoff of a state-licensed, inspection-ready facility to Operations.

You’ll manage the entire process, coordinate with Real Estate, Executive Leadership, and the Operations Team, and drive on-time, on-budget openings across multiple markets.

What You’ll Do:

Front-End / Entitlements

· Partner with Real Estate on site diligence (zoning/use verification, preliminary code path, utilities, traffic/parking, geotech/ESA I, ALTA, title & easements).

· Lead entitlement strategy (site plan review, zoning approvals/variances, building & fire, health/environmental where applicable).

· Build AHJ matrices and schedules; secure all pre-construction permits and conditions of approval.

· Childcare-specific: Validate occupancy classification and separations (often I-4/E per local code), outdoor play area ratios and fencing, on-site parking and queuing, and required fire/life-safety enhancements.

Design Management

· Manage CLA’s national architect, and run engineer selection and contracts as applicable; manage all diligence milestones with clear deliverables.

· Enforce CLA brand standards for classrooms, life safety, security, food service, and playgrounds.

· Coordinate childcare codes and best practices:

o Age-appropriate classroom planning: SF/child and capacity planning by age pursuant to state licensing requirements.

o Sightlines & supervision: ensure design accounts for proper supervision and line of sight inside the buildings, and in playgrounds.

o Health Department & Licensing: child water-temp limits (per code), hands-free/child-height sinks, appropriate fixture counts.

o Food service: warming/finishing kitchen or full kitchen per program; waste and grease compliance.

o Playgrounds: layouts by age group with compliant fall zones, surfacing and ASTM/CPSC standards, shade (sails/canopies), trike track circulation, secure gates, and potable water access.

o Security: controlled entries, classroom door hardware appropriate for quick egress, visitor entry and management at reception.

Procurement & Budget Control

· Own the project budget, contingency, and cash-flow projections; align with funding partners and Operations on draw schedules.

· Oversee GC procurement (RFPs, bid leveling, Stip Sum negotiation) and long-lead strategy (MEP gear, playground packages, kitchen, security/AV).

· Track VE decisions against standards to protect operational, visual, and compliance outcomes.

Construction Execution

· Run weekly OAC meetings; drive schedule to substantial completion with disciplined change-management (RFIs, submittals, CO logs).

· Monitor and coordinate QA/QC and third-party inspections; insist on safety, cleanliness, and warranty readiness.

· Coordinate landlord work vs. tenant scope and enforce work-letter obligations.

· Childcare-specific: mock-up and verify diapering stations, handwashing and sanitation stations, classroom millwork durability, child-height fixture installation, playground shade install and surfacing depth testing, and door-hardware/closer forces suitable for staff while maintaining child safety.

Licensing & Turnover

· Build the licensing pathway and timeline early; maintain a document set for the licensor (room schedules, occupant counts, staff-child ratio signage templates, emergency plans).

· Orchestrate final inspections (building, fire, health, and childcare licensing).

· Deliver a complete turnover package: as-builts, test & balance, O&M manuals, training, warranties, asset register, FF&E punch.

· Childcare-specific: provide playground audit results, water-temperature logs, and camera/access control admin handoff.

· Hand off a “day-one-ready” facility to Operations, including a defects list with owners, timelines, and closeout tracker.

Leadership & Reporting

· Hire, mentor, and develop PMs/APMs as needed and/or directed by the CEO.

· Provide executive reporting (critical path, cash projections, forecast at completion, opening dates).

· Childcare-specific: maintain a licensing risk register per state (variance requests, unique room/fixture requirements, playground lead times).

What You’ve Done (Qualifications)

· 8–12+ years in multi-site development or construction PM; childcare, healthcare, education, or other regulated occupancies strongly preferred.

· Proven record delivering ground-up and adaptive-reuse across multiple jurisdictions.

· Bachelor’s in Construction Management, Architecture, Civil or Mechanical Engineering, or related (MBA/PE/RA/PMP a plus).

· Hands-on entitlement experience and AHJ relationship building.

· Expert in schedule control, budget management, and change-order discipline.

· Fluency with AIA agreements, construction admin (RFIs, submittals), and closeout.

· Childcare-specific capability:

o Managed projects through state childcare licensing (multi-state a plus) and coordinated with building/fire/health departments.

o Working knowledge of classroom SF/child planning, age-group toilet ratios, diapering and handwash adjacency, and child-height fixture standards.

o Experience delivering compliant playgrounds (surfacing, fall zones, shade, fencing, age zoning) and passing third-party audits.

o Familiar with reception controlled-entry systems, camera zoning, and policies that balance security with egress compliance.

o Comfortable aligning designs to operational standards.

How You Operate (Core Competencies)

· Owner’s mindset: decisive, cost-aware, quality- and compliance-driven.

· Anticipates licensing/inspection issues and prevents surprises.

· Crisp communicator with strong meeting/document control.

· Standard-bearer who protects brand and specifications across markets.

· Builder of teams and process—scales repeatable outcomes.

Success Metrics (KPIs)

· On-time openings (≥90% to baseline schedule).

· Budget variance ≤3% vs. approved Stip Sum.

· Change-order rate within target and ≥70% owner-requested vs. avoidable.

· Licensing: ≥95% first-pass approvals; zero critical deficiencies.

· Playground: 100% pass of surfacing/area audits prior to opening.

· Punch-list closure ≤30 days post-opening.

Compensation & Benefits

· Compensation: $165,000 + annual bonus tied to openings, budget, quality, and licensing KPIs.

· Benefits: Medical/Dental/Vision, 401(k), PTO.

Equal Opportunity

Children’s Learning Adventure USA, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Job Tags

Similar Jobs