Business Manager (General Manager)

About Us

The Goddard School of Thornton is a premier early childhood education center serving children from six weeks through pre-kindergarten. As part of the nationally recognized Goddard School network, we deliver a play-based, research-informed learning program in a warm, nurturing, and professionally run environment. We are an independently owned and operated franchise committed to academic excellence, family trust, and operational rigor - currently pursuing dual NAEYC and Cognia accreditation.

We are looking for a driven, business-minded leader to take ownership of the day-to-day operation of the school and grow it like it's their own.

The Opportunity

This is not a back-office administrative job. We are hiring a Business Manager who can run the school like a CEO - owning enrollment growth, marketing, finances, staffing, and the overall family experience. You will be the operational engine of the business, accountable for both the educational excellence our families expect and the financial health that keeps the school thriving.

If you are entrepreneurial, comfortable owning a P&L, energized by building enrollment, and able to lead a team while keeping a sharp eye on the numbers, this role is built for you.

What You'll Own

1. Enrollment Growth & Family Acquisition

• Drive the school to full and waitlisted enrollment across all classrooms and age groups.
• Own the entire enrollment funnel: lead generation, inquiry response, tour scheduling, follow-up, and conversion.
• Personally conduct compelling, high-converting school tours that turn prospective families into enrolled families.
• Build and maintain a CRM/lead-tracking system to ensure no inquiry goes unanswered; measure and improve conversion rates at every stage.
• Develop and execute family retention strategies to maximize re-enrollment and minimize disenrollment.
• Create and run on-site enrollment events such as open houses, community days, and seasonal events.

2. Marketing Strategy & Execution

• Design, build, and execute a comprehensive annual marketing plan with clear goals, budget, and ROI tracking.
• Manage the school's digital presence: Google Business Profile, social media (Facebook/Instagram), local SEO, paid search/social ads, and reputation/review management.
• Develop local community marketing: partnerships with nearby businesses, pediatricians, realtors, HOAs, employers, and community organizations to generate referral pipelines.
• Create and oversee marketing collateral - flyers, signage, email campaigns, and event materials - consistent with Goddard brand standards.
• Track marketing performance (cost per lead, cost per enrollment) and reallocate spend toward what works.

3. Business Operations & Financial Management (P&L Ownership)

• Run the school's daily operations end-to-end and act as the senior on-site decision-maker.
• Own and manage the operating budget; monitor revenue, tuition collection, labor costs, and expenses against targets.
• Analyze financial and operational data to identify cost drivers, margin opportunities, and growth levers; report results and recommendations to the owners.
• Oversee tuition billing, accounts receivable, and collections; minimize past-due balances.
• Manage vendor and supplier relationships, contracts, and purchasing to control costs without compromising quality.
• Ensure the business consistently meets its revenue, occupancy, and profitability goals.

4. Staff Leadership & Human Resources

• Recruit, hire, onboard, and retain high-quality teachers and staff.
• Build classroom schedules and staffing ratios that meet licensing requirements while controlling labor cost.
• Lead, coach, and develop the team; conduct performance reviews and foster a positive, professional, low-turnover culture.
• Oversee payroll accuracy, timekeeping, PTO, and HR compliance in partnership with the owners and payroll provider.
• Handle employee relations matters with professionalism, fairness, and documentation.

5. Licensing, Compliance & Quality

• Maintain full compliance with Colorado childcare licensing regulations and health/safety standards.
• Keep the school inspection-ready at all times; manage licensing renewals, records, and required documentation.
• Support and help drive the school's accreditation initiatives (NAEYC and Cognia), including the documentation and process standards each requires.
• Uphold Goddard franchise operating standards and brand requirements.

6. Family & Customer Experience

• Serve as the primary point of contact and relationship owner for enrolled families.
• Resolve parent concerns quickly and professionally, protecting both family satisfaction and the school's reputation.
• Champion communication that keeps families informed, engaged, and confident in their choice.

What You Bring

Required

• 3+ years of management experience with direct ownership of business results (operations, P&L, sales, or general management).
• Demonstrated success growing a customer base, sales pipeline, or membership/enrollment.
• Strong financial literacy: budgeting, basic accounting, and the ability to read and act on operating numbers.
• Proven marketing experience - ideally hands-on with digital marketing, social media, and local lead generation.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and people-management skills.
• Highly organized, data-driven, and able to juggle multiple priorities without dropping details.
• Comfort with business technology: CRM, spreadsheets, scheduling/payroll tools, and marketing platforms.

Preferred

• Experience in early childhood education, childcare, schools, or a franchise/multi-unit environment.
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Management, Marketing, or a related field.
• Familiarity with Colorado childcare licensing and/or accreditation processes (NAEYC, Cognia).
• Prior experience owning or running a small business or service location.

Personal Qualities

• Entrepreneurial owner-operator mindset - treats the business as if it were their own.
• Self-starter who takes initiative and drives outcomes without being told.
• Warm, trustworthy, and professional with families and staff alike.
• Resilient and solutions-focused under pressure.

Why Join Us

• The autonomy and authority to truly run a business, with the backing of a nationally respected brand.
• A mission that matters: shaping the foundation of children's education and giving families peace of mind.
• Direct partnership with engaged owners and a clear path to grow with the school.
• Compensation: $60,000 starting base salary, plus a performance-based enrollment bonus of $50-$100 per net new enrollment - uncapped upside that rewards growth you drive

The Goddard School of Thornton is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.