Director, Security Benefit Academy

Security Benefit is seeking a Director for the Security Benefit Academy (SBA), its onsite childcare facility.   The Director will report to the Senior Vice President of Human Resources.  SBA is an integral part of Security Benefit and Zinnia, providing early care and education services to support the overall mission of the business.

Security Benefit Academy is seeking a dynamic leader of people to achieve company goals while promoting a positive team culture.  This person will be someone to cultivate an atmosphere of collaboration and communication, while equipping team members with the necessary tools for success. The director is responsible for strategizing and implementing initiatives to enhance team performance and productivity while producing high quality of care for the children.

Who Are We?

Through a combination of product innovation, exceptional investment management, and a unique distribution strategy, Security Benefit has become a leader in the U.S. retirement industry. For more than five decades, we’ve focused our expertise solely on this market, providing a broad suite of annuities and mutual fund programs to help customers from coast to coast align their assets with their aspirations.

What Does the Job Look Like?

The Director is responsible for recruitment, retention, and management of SBA teaching staff; the creation and implementation of high-quality programs for children according to the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC); and creating professional, positive relationships with parents, children and team members.  SBA provides early childhood education for children ages six weeks to six years.  We offer Summer, Winter & Spring Break Camp for school-age children.  SBA has a maximum capacity of 152 children with hours of operation from 7 :30a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

• Leading and developing a highly engaged team to provide outstanding care to children and be the premier early education provider in the region.
• Ensure a positive, collaborative, teamwork environment, that is child focused, education focused, and parent focused to establish an overall outstanding early education environment as the premier early education provider

• Hire and ensure teaching staff provide high quality child development and learning
• Positively support and uphold SBA’s values, policies, and philosophy to parents, team members, and the community 
• Conduct regular classroom observations to ensure the quality of care for the children
• Develop and ensure that the programs and curriculum promote the development of each child’s physical, social, emotional and cognitive development, in a nurturing environment
• Provide leadership development, support, and resources to Academy leadership team
• Guide and supervise leaders and teachers through the process of communicating sensitive issues to parents and locating appropriate services for referral
• Evaluate classroom curriculum and environment to ensure that it meets the guidelines set by SBA, NAEYC and KDHE
• Lead and oversee SBA staff meetings, planning meetings and training sessions to build and develop a values-focused team
• Must be available to open or close the center daily
• Oversee annual staff performance appraisal process
• Collaborate closely with the Assistant Director and leadership team to ensure smooth operations of the Academy
• Ensure that all staff understand and follow all Security Benefit Academy and KDHE health, safety, and emergency care protocol

Who Are You?

• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development
• Master’s in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Child and Family Studies or related field preferred
• 5+ years of verifiable experience in a licensed childcare center or supervised teaching practicum
• One year of experience as a program director in a center licensed for more than 24 children, or one year of experience as an assistant program director in a center licensed for more than 100 children
• Must meet federal as well as individual state requirements (i.e., TB test, physical, criminal background checks)
• Must have the ability to remain calm and follow SBA’s Emergency Care Plan in the event of an emergency, as well as demonstrate good judgment to avoid any injury or endangerment to anyone in the center
• Demonstrated knowledge in implementing a developmentally appropriate curriculum
• Outstanding written and verbal communication and organizational skills
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and complete assigned tasks in a timely manner
• Must have the social skills necessary to relate to a variety of people, remaining positive even under stressful situations

Physical requirements

• Must be able to lift, move or hold children with a range of weight from 10 to 50 pounds (occasionally perform these tasks for a child weighing more than 50 pounds)
• Must be able to supervise and interact with a group of children outdoors daily, for an extended period in various weather conditions 
• Must be able to achieve a full range of motion to lift, reach, squat, climb, sit or otherwise fully participate in activities 
• Must be able to respond immediately and appropriately to multiple or unexpected situations or emergencies 

 Consider joining our progressive team in our nationally recognized company. Visit the career section of our website at http://www.securitybenefit.com to complete the online application and submit your resume. EOE