Director of Project Management

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

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

Construction Execution

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

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

Leadership & Reporting

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

What You've Done (Qualifications)

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)

Success Metrics (KPIs)

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

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