New School Program Manager

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Purpose Statement

The New School Program Manager at The Gardner School (TGS) is responsible for managing the successful opening of new schools, whether through supporting the setup of newly constructed schools or integrating schools acquired This role ensures smooth transitions, from pre-opening planning to post-launch integration, ensuring that all new schools meet TGS’s high standards. The Program Manager will collaborate across departments to coordinate everything from regulatory compliance and licensing to pre-opening enrollment and operational readiness for new schools. 

Key Responsibilities:

Support Opening of New Schools

• Develop and own a standard playbook for the opening and new school setup process.
• Delegate and provide guidance to the cross-functional New School Core team to ensure all activities stay on plan and budget, and the team is working as one cohesive unit.
• Collaborate with Construction and Facilities teams to ensure that all necessary resources and supplies are in place for new school openings.
• Partner with the Marketing and People & Culture teams to develop and implement a pre-opening enrollment strategy to ensure that new schools meet initial enrollment targets and are staffed appropriately.
• Oversee the setup and operational readiness of newly constructed schools, ensuring a smooth transition from construction completion to school opening.
• Supervise and audit the procurement and installation of supplies, furniture, and classroom materials, ensuring all aspects of the school environment are ready for day one.
• Ensure all vendor orders and ongoing relationships/accounts are set up and established.
• Work with internal teams, Operations and Finance, to ensure that all licensing and regulatory requirements are met before opening.

• In partnership with the District Manager and Finance, manage the licensing process for both newly constructed and acquired schools, ensuring all federal, state, and local regulations are met.  
• Ensure that all legal and regulatory requirements are in place for the smooth opening and ongoing operation of newly constructed and acquired schools.

• Work closely with the identified internal Core team, including operations, marketing, finance, and human resources, to coordinate all aspects of new school openings.
• Ensure cross-functional efforts are being completed on time and to TGS standards, related to enrollment marketing, staffing, and training to ensure new schools are fully operational on opening day.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Education or a related field or equivalent experience.
• Experience in supporting the opening of new locations, whether through construction or acquisition integration.
• Strong knowledge of licensing and regulatory requirements in early childhood education or a related field.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in Early Childhood Education
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in project management, new business development, or equivalent experience.
• Experience in early childhood education or related fields.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and organizational skills.
• Strong financial acumen, particularly in budgeting and resource management.
• Preferred candidates will have existing broker relationships

Disclaimer

The Company provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.