About This Role
The Opportunity
SMMS is seeking an experienced, collaborative, and mission-driven Executive Director to lead the organization through its next chapter as it grows from a single-campus school serving twenty students into a multi-campus nonprofit with the ability to support over sixty-five students. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director is the senior organizational leader of SMMS, responsible for its overall health, sustainability, and strategic direction, working alongside committed educators, families, community partners, and a volunteer Board.
This is an organization-wide leadership role rather than a day-to-day campus director position. Campus leaders manage daily school operations, educational programming, classroom supervision, family engagement, and site management. The Executive Director provides them with clear direction, effective systems, resources, support, and accountability, ensuring both campuses remain aligned with SMMS's mission, Montessori philosophy, and organizational priorities.
About Shining Mountains Montessori School
Shining Mountains Montessori School (SMMS) provides safe, nurturing, peaceful, and exploratory environments that support children's development and success. Through Montessori, place-based, and outdoor approaches to early childhood learning, our community school connects children ages 2.5 to 6 years old with one another and with the wonders of their home in the Arkansas River Valley.
Key Responsibilities:
Organizational Leadership & Strategy
● Partner with the Board to translate SMMS's mission and strategic priorities into actionable plans and clear short- and long-term goals.
● Lead SMMS's continued growth as a multi-campus early childhood education nonprofit, identifying opportunities, risks, and operational needs along the way.
● Build systems, leadership capacity, and collaborative culture, grounded in Montessori principles, professionalism, accountability, and care for children and families, that sustain a healthy organization.
Financial & Operational Leadership
● Develop and oversee the annual budget in partnership with the Board and financial professionals, and provide clear, timely financial reporting and recommendations.
● Monitor revenue, expenses, cash flow, enrollment, and staffing costs, and develop projections that support long-term sustainability.
● Maintain sound financial controls, administrative systems, records, contracts, and insurance, and identify efficiencies and shared resources across campuses.
Fundraising & Development
● Develop and lead a sustainable fundraising strategy, partnering with the Board to set goals and expand SMMS's long-term base of support.
● Build relationships with individual donors, foundations, businesses, and community partners.
● Identify and pursue grants, oversee grant reporting and stewardship, and lead campaigns, events, and other development initiatives.
People & Campus Leadership
● Supervise, support, and develop campus leaders and senior administrative staff, setting organization-wide expectations while giving leaders ownership of school operations.
● Lead effective recruitment, retention, performance management, and professional development.
● Promote collaboration and shared resources, training, and best practices across campuses, and address significant personnel, operational, or family concerns alongside campus leadership.
Governance, Compliance & Risk
● Serve as the primary staff liaison to the Board, preparing clear updates and recommendations and implementing Board-approved policies, budgets, and priorities, while maintaining appropriate boundaries between governance and staff management.
● Ensure compliance with nonprofit, employment, licensing, safety, and regulatory requirements, including Colorado Department of Early Childhood licensing, coordinating with legal, accounting, insurance, and other advisors as needed.
Community Engagement & Organizational Growth
● Serve as a visible ambassador for SMMS in the Arkansas River Valley, strengthening awareness of its programs, mission, and community impact.
● Build relationships with families, community organizations, businesses, nonprofits, governmental entities, and early childhood partners.
● Monitor enrollment, capacity, and community needs, and work with campus leaders on sustainable enrollment and outreach strategies.
What We're Looking For
Strong candidates may bring different combinations of nonprofit, education, business, and community leadership experience. We are looking for someone who pairs strategic thinking with practical execution and is energized by helping a growing organization build strong foundations.
Required Qualifications
● Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.
● At least five years of progressively responsible experience in nonprofit leadership, education administration, organizational management, business operations, or a related field.
● Demonstrated experience leading people, programs, or organizational initiatives, including budgeting and financial management.
● Strong written, verbal, interpersonal, and organizational skills, and the ability to manage competing priorities in a growing organization.
● Ability to build productive relationships with staff, families, community partners, and other stakeholders, and a commitment to SMMS's mission and values.
Preferred Qualifications
● Senior leadership experience in a nonprofit, educational, or mission-driven organization, including partnering with or reporting to a Board.
● Fundraising, donor development, grant writing, or grant management experience.
● Experience with strategic planning, overseeing multiple programs or locations, and guiding an organization through growth or change.
● Familiarity with early childhood education, Montessori education, or Colorado early childhood systems.
Work Environment and Compensation
This part-time (20 hrs/week), year-round leadership position is based in Buena Vista, Colorado. Work generally occurs during regular business hours, with occasional meetings and events outside those hours. The role requires frequent in person presence at the two in town campuses with work from home flexibility, if desired. This is an hourly role listed at $35-40/hour based on experience and qualifications. Relocation assistance may be available for the selected candidate.
Pay: $35.00 - $40.00 per hour
Expected hours: 20.0 per week
Benefits:
- Employee discount
- Flexible schedule
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Buena Vista, CO 81211