Job description
🚀 Youth Program Director - Chicago's Coolest After School
(Reports To: CEO/Founder)
We are Family Room Chicago—the premier, multi-site family hub in Chicago that’s part playspace, part parent lounge, and all about making family life easier. Our business is built on a simple promise: Rigorous operations meet world-class hospitality. We provide a safe, imaginative escape for children and an actual opportunity for adults to relax, recharge, and connect.
We are run with the precision and cleanliness of a high-end boutique hotel—but our real magic is our energetic, enriching, and unforgettable programming.
The Opportunity: Lead Family Room Chicago Fit & Fun - the Coolest Spot in Chicago After 3 PM
We are seeking an ambitious, high-energy leader ready to be mentored directly by our experienced CEO/Founder. This is a career-defining fast track opportunity. Your mission is simple: transform our after-school program into the most dynamic, engaging, and sought-after destination for elementary kids in Chicago.
This role is the P&L owner and operational engine of your site, blending the excitement of a Lead Camp Director with the operational discipline of a General Manager. You will lead the After School Program, manage your site’s operations, and master the hospitality experience. For the right "up-and-coming" leader, this role leads directly to a Senior Leadership/Executive position with significant compensation growth within the next 12-18 months.
Key Focus Area: Primary Commander of Youth Experience
Your chief responsibility is to build and run the best-in-class after-school experience, ensuring it is a safe, high-quality, and wildly fun program that parents trust implicitly.
1. Next-Level Program Leadership (The Fun-Maker & Safety Czar)
The Best After School: Take full command of the After School Program's success. Ensure every day is structured, safe, and so engaging that kids can’t wait to come back.
Safety & Compliance: Serve as the site's ultimate authority for child safety, emergency procedures, and risk management. Maintain 100% compliance with all state and local youth program regulations, serving as the point-of-contact for all safety incidents.
Curriculum & Flow: Oversee the daily programming schedule and content (after-school, field trips, parties), guaranteeing a high-quality mix of imaginative play, enrichment activities, and enriching connections.
Growth Engine: Drive new revenue streams by actively leading the booking, execution, and oversight of school day field trips and high-end weekend birthday parties.
2. People Leadership & Premium Hospitality
Build the Dream Team: Recruit, hire, onboard, and motivate all site-level staff, including After School Shift Leads, Party Hosts, and Front Desk hospitality personnel.
Staff Scheduling & Ratios: Masterfully manage all staff schedules to ensure proper adult-to-child ratios and consistent, friendly FOH coverage, running performance evaluations to build a culture of excellence.
High-Touch Parent Experience: Ensure staff provides a premium, welcoming atmosphere during drop-off and pick-up. Handle all parent feedback, complaints, and sensitive inquiries with empathy and professionalism, setting the hospitality standard for the site.
3. Operational & Site Excellence (The Backbone)
"Show-Ready" Site Management: Own the physical site’s condition, cleanliness, and security. Coordinate all necessary facility repairs, maintenance, and cleaning schedules to ensure a consistently immaculate and safe environment.
Logistics & Cost Control: Oversee the inventory and efficient distribution of all program materials, retail goods, and operational supplies. Assist the CEO in managing the site's operational budget with the goal of achieving full P&L ownership.
Tech & Compliance: Ensure all Point-of-Sale (POS), scheduling, and operating technology are fully functional, eliminating technical hurdles to service.
What We Need: Ambitious Leaders with High-End Service DNA
We are looking for a leader whose passion for youth programming is matched by a meticulous, systems-first mentality.
Experience: 2-3+ years of professional experience in a leadership role requiring high-volume scheduling, staff supervision, and impeccable customer service. We value transferable skills from fast-paced, high-stakes environments:
Youth & Recreation: Lead Camp Director, Program Manager at a large, high-quality youth facility.
Hospitality: Shift Supervisor or Assistant Manager at a premium hotel, event venue, or high-end retail operation.
Required Attributes (Non-Negotiables):
Ownership Mentality: You treat this site’s success as your own business.
High Energy & Drive: You thrive in a fast-paced environment and are ready to energize the staff and the kids.
Meticulous Organization: You can manage complex schedules, strict safety protocols, and multiple staff functions without dropping the ball.
Eagerness to Learn: You are ready to be a student of the CEO and committed to rapid professional growth.
Logistics: Must be available On Site Monday-Friday for core program hours and pass all required background checks.
Expected salary range: 50,000 USD per year with potential for bonus, commissions, and equity
Additional Benefits include: Paid time off, Paid sick leave, Parental leave, 401(k) match
Additional Perks include: Career development; Learning stipend
Equal Employment Opportunity
Family Room Chicago LLC and Family Room Chicago Fit and Fun LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or status as a protected veteran.
Reasonable Accomomdation
Family Room Chicago LLC and Family Room Chicago Fit and Fun LLC is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities in our recruiting process. If you need any assistance or accommodations due to a disability, please let us know at connect@familyroomchicago.com.