Education Center Director

🚩 Starting Salary: $45,000+ /year based on experience

🏫 Environment: Alternative Education Program, Grades 7-12

Ombudsman Educational Services, a growing, dynamic organization with a social mission to offer hope, is seeking an Education Center Director to join our award-winning Alternative Education team and perform meaningful work in a culture that welcomes innovation, encourages creative expression and offers limitless potential for personal and professional satisfaction!

If you thrive in a dynamic, student-centered, and results-driven environment, are inspired by the mission of alternative education, and bring strategic leadership, resilience, and a collaborative spirit — We Should Talk! 📲

As the Education Center Director, you are responsible for fostering an environment where every student has the opportunity to reach their full potential. You will lead program operations with a focus on instructional excellence, staff development, student success, and strong community partnerships. By ensuring safe, effective, and innovative learning environments, you will drive achievement and promote positive outcomes for both students and staff.

‖ Responsibilities Include:

• Providing vision and leadership to support student achievement and effective site operations by supervising staff, implementing performance management systems, and promoting professional growth.

• Participating in recruitment and hiring processes to build and sustain a high-performing site team.

• Providing staff supervision by coaching, mentoring, and developing employees while monitoring performance and fostering continuous improvement.

• Ensuring a safe and supportive learning environment by monitoring site operations, addressing/reporting incidents, and enforcing safety protocols.

• Maintaining compliance with state, district, and contractual requirements, and ensuring all staff are fully knowledgeable of success criteria and regulations.

• Representing the program at community, district, and local levels to strengthen partnerships and promote the organization’s mission.

• Instructing, monitoring, and evaluating teachers and students in the use of curriculum, instructional strategies, and learning tools to ensure fidelity and effectiveness.

• Guiding teachers in the development of classroom schedules, student data systems, and transition plans to ensure alignment with individual student goals.

• Consulting with and supporting teachers in building student skills in social development, problem-solving, and conflict resolution.

• Maintaining accurate and complete records of student progress in compliance with legal, company, and district policies.

• Compiling and analyzing assessment data to monitor student growth, inform instructional practices, and drive targeted interventions.

• Modeling and promoting instructional strategies that facilitate active learning experiences and align with the organization’s educational vision.

• Promoting positive student behavior by implementing consistent practices, applying policies fairly, and supporting restorative or disciplinary interventions when necessary.

• Providing counseling, encouragement, and guidance to students experiencing academic or personal challenges.

• Participating in accreditation and quality assurance processes to ensure the site consistently meets or exceeds performance standards.

• Keeping current with research-based practices and organization-wide initiatives, including professional development in behavior management and instructional best practices.

• Performing additional duties as assigned to support the overall success of students, staff, and the program.

‖ Qualifications Required:

• Bachelor's degree or higher in education or a closely related field of study.
• Master's degree or higher in educational leadership or a closely related field of study preferred.
• Licensed currently or in the process of obtaining an IL state professional educator (PEL) credential.
• Licensed currently or in the process of obtaining an IL state administrative endorsement or related credential preferred.
• Ability to obtain and maintain certification in company approved crisis management training.
• Minimum 1yr prior educational leadership experience, preferably in an alternative, special education and/or behavioral health program setting.
• Prior experience and/or knowledge in alternative educational services for at-risk students with diverse needs at various levels.
• Effective management skills and comprehensive knowledge of administrative and school operations, functions, and compliance requirements.
• Prior experience and highly knowledgeable in the development, assessment, and management of curriculum, content areas and instruction.
• Prior experience and highly knowledgeable in working with students with individualized education plans (IEP's).
• Proficiency in providing motivation and having critical conversations with students that help move them toward realistic goals.
• Proven ability to build effective relationships with students, parents, teachers and community and/or district partners.
• Advanced skill in providing training, professional development and/or coaching to teachers and education staff.
• In depth knowledge of crisis management systems and intervention procedures.
• Advanced oral and written communication, organization, conflict resolution, multitasking, problem solving, and performance motivation ability.
• Knowledge of relevant technology including experience with instructional technology, Microsoft Office Suite, database entry and basic office equipment.

Ombudsman Educational Services is a division of ChanceLight Behavioral Health, Therapy, & Education, the nation’s leading provider of alternative and special education programs for children and young adults. For more than 50 years, and in partnership with over 235 school districts nationwide, we have helped change the direction of more than 240,000 student lives!

💻 Learn more about our history, our mission and the program services we provide by visiting the link below:

• https://bit.ly/m/WorkWithPurpose

At ChanceLight we believe in providing more than just a job, as a member of our team you'll receive the opportunity to make meaningful impacts, the support needed to achieve success, and all the tools essential to reaching your personal & professional fulfillment! Your path to a truly rewarding career starts here – where growth, empowerment, and collaboration define our culture; and every day is a Chance to transform lives through education!

‖ Perks and Benefits Include:

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental and Vision Plans
• FREE Telehealth and Virtual Counseling Sessions
• FREE Health Advocacy Services and 24/7 Nurse Line
• Company Paid Life & Disability Insurance
• Company Paid Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts
• Personal Protection Insurance Plans
• Cigna Healthy Pregnancies, Healthy Babies Program
• Legal Services Insurance
• Pet Health Insurance
• Accrual-based Paid Time Off
• School Hours and Paid Holiday Schedule
• Extensive Personal and Life Event Paid Leave Policy
• 401k Retirement Saving Plan
• Perks at Work Employee Discount Program
• Opportunities for Growth & Development
• And So Much More!

If you're ready to start making lasting impacts on the lives of students and contribute to the creation of a brighter future — This Is Your Chance!

Join us and together, we can empower students to overcome challenges, build confidence and unlock their full potential!

Careers, With ChanceLight 💙 Work. With Purpose.

^{Copyright © 2026 ChanceLight Behavioral Health, Therapy, & Education, a ChanceLight® company *Benefit plans and eligibility requirements may vary based on role and employment status.}

Education

Required

• Bachelors or better in Education or related field

Preferred

• Masters or better in Education Leadership or related field

Licenses & Certifications

Required

• IL - Profl Educator - PEL
• Crisis Prevention Inst

Preferred

• IL - Admin. Endorsement

Skills

Required

• Alternative Education
• Community Relations
• Parent Counseling & Train
• Teacher Mentoring/Training
• Individualized Education Programs (IEP)
• Curriculum Development
• Classroom Management
• High School Education
• Leadership
• Quality Assurance & Compliance
• Performance Management
• Crisis Intervention
• Behavioral Support
• Performance Motivation
• Student Coaching/Mentorship
• Student Development
• Working With At-Risk Students
• Classroom Instruction
• Problem Solving
• Decision Making
• Attention to Detail
• Communication
• Interdepartmental Collaboration
• Interpersonal Skills
• Computer Skills

Behaviors

Preferred

• Dedicated: Devoted to a task or purpose with loyalty or integrity
• Leader: Inspires teammates to follow them

Motivations

Preferred

• Ability to Make an Impact: Inspired to perform well by the ability to contribute to the success of a project or the organization

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.