Blüm Academy is interested in connecting with exceptional leaders in Early Childhood Education.

As our award-winning early learning school thoughtfully plans for the continued strength of our campus leadership teams, we are currently accepting applications for Program Manager and Operations Manager opportunities across our Calgary Academies.

Our campus leadership model is intentionally shared between two distinct leaders: one focused primarily on the quality of the educational program, and one focused primarily on the operational strength of the Academy. Together, they lead a highly professional Early Learning environment with high expectations for students, families, Educators, and themselves.

We are looking for experienced Early Childhood Education professionals who are thoughtful, organized, highly accountable, confident in leadership, and genuinely interested in building something exceptional.

About Blüm

Blüm Academy is an independent Early Learning program in Calgary offering a distinctive approach influenced by Montessori and Reggio Emilia philosophies.

Our Academies are intentionally designed learning environments with a strong focus on independence, relationships, thoughtful curriculum, beautiful spaces, skilled practice, and meaningful childhood experiences.

We operate differently from a traditional childcare centre. Our leadership team is expected to understand not only licensing, ratios, scheduling, and daily operations, but also the deeper responsibility of creating an environment where Educators can do excellent work and students can thrive.

Two Leadership Pathways

Applicants may be considered for either our Program Manager or Operations Manager pathway depending on their experience, strengths, leadership style, and areas of professional interest.

Program Manager The Program Manager is the pedagogical leader of the Academy.

This role is best suited to an experienced Level 3 Early Childhood Educator who is energized by coaching Educators, strengthening classroom practice, supporting curriculum implementation, and maintaining an exceptionally high standard for the student experience.

Responsibilities include

- Providing day-to-day leadership and mentorship to the Educator Team
- Observing classroom practice and providing meaningful, actionable feedback
- Supporting Educators in implementing Blüm's approach to Montessori, Reggio-inspired practice, child guidance, documentation, and classroom environments
- Maintaining consistency and quality across classrooms
- Supporting student transitions and classroom placements
- Partnering with families when additional educational or developmental conversations are required
- Supporting Educator onboarding, training, professional development, and performance conversations
- Reviewing classroom environments, routines, documentation, and learning experiences
- Working closely with the Operations Manager to ensure strong campus-wide execution
- Maintaining an active presence within classrooms and throughout the Academy
- Helping create a culture of professionalism, accountability, warmth, and continuous improvement

This role is not primarily administrative. The Program Manager should enjoy being close to the work, the classrooms, the Educators, and the students. Operations Manager The Operations Manager is the operational leader of the Academy.





This role is best suited to an organized, confident leader who enjoys systems, communication, family relationships, compliance, planning, and ensuring that hundreds of small details come together properly every day.

Responsibilities include

- Overseeing the daily operational flow of the Academy
- Managing schedules, attendance, ratios, coverage, and campus logistics
- Maintaining licensing, health, safety, and compliance requirements
- Supporting family communication and the overall family experience
- Coordinating enrolment, student files, transitions, onboarding, and administrative processes
- Ensuring campus systems, records, documentation, and procedures remain accurate and current
- Supporting team attendance, time-off processes, scheduling, and operational communication
- Maintaining strong standards for Academy presentation, organization, and readiness
- Coordinating with Blüm's senior leadership and administration teams
- Identifying operational issues before they become larger problems
- Working closely with the Program Manager to support a strong and consistent campus culture
- Remaining visible, approachable, and actively involved in the daily life of the Academy

This role requires someone who notices details, follows through, communicates clearly, and genuinely enjoys making an organization run exceptionally well. Who We Are Looking For The strongest candidates will bring a combination of Early Childhood Education experience and demonstrated leadership ability.

You may be a current Program Director, Centre Director, Assistant Director, Program Supervisor, Pedagogical Leader, Early Childhood Education Manager, or experienced Level 3 Educator ready for a meaningful next step.

We are particularly interested in candidates who:

- Hold, or are eligible to hold, an Alberta Early Childhood Educator Level 3 certification
- Have significant experience working within a licensed Early Learning environment
- Have previous leadership, mentoring, supervisory, or management experience
- Communicate professionally and confidently with families and colleagues
- Are exceptionally organized and reliable
- Can give and receive direct, constructive feedback
- Have strong judgement and are comfortable making decisions
- Understand that leadership includes both accountability and support
- Are comfortable working in a high-expectation environment
- Are confident using technology and learning new systems
- Care deeply about the quality of Early Childhood Education
- Want to continue learning and developing professionally

Previous experience with Montessori or Reggio Emilia is an asset, but it is not required. A genuine willingness to learn, reflect, and adapt is considerably more important. What Leadership at Blüm Requires

Blüm is a warm environment, but it is also a highly accountable one. Our leaders are expected to follow through, communicate openly, solve problems, maintain standards, address situations early, and model the professionalism expected throughout the Academy.





This may be the right environment for you if you enjoy:

- Being trusted with meaningful responsibility
- Working within clear systems and expectations
- Receiving regular feedback
- Having difficult conversations when necessary
- Continuously improving how things are done
- Working alongside other highly invested leaders
- Being part of an organization that takes Early Childhood Education seriously

It may not be the right environment if you are looking for a primarily office-based management role or prefer a leadership environment with minimal feedback, oversight, or accountability. Compensation & Benefits

Annual Compensation between $65,000–$75,000 is inclusive of applicable Government of Alberta Early Childhood Educator wage top-up funding for Level 3 and will be determined based on experience, qualifications, leadership background, and role placement.

Blüm also offers a growing suite of team benefits and professional development opportunities, including:

- Paid vacation and paid sick & personal time
- Paid professional development and training
- Blüm core certification and leadership development
- Annual professional growth opportunities
- Team loyalty and recognition programs including extra time off, spa days, weekends away
- Opportunities for continued advancement as Blüm grows
- A thoughtfully designed, professional Early Learning environment

Location & Schedule Leadership opportunities may arise across Blüm Academy's Calgary campuses. These are full time, in-person positions. Campus leadership requires consistent physical presence within the Academy and is not suited to remote or hybrid work. Schedules are Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM and are structured around the operational needs of the Academy.

Our Hiring Process

Because leadership appointments have a significant impact on our students, families, and Educator Teams, our selection process is intentionally thorough.

Selected applicants may participate in several stages, including conversations with members of our senior leadership team, scenario-based discussions, professional reference checks, and opportunities for both Blüm and the candidate to determine whether the environment is the right fit.

We are not necessarily looking for the person who interviews the best. We are looking for the person who can lead exceptionally well.

If the way Blüm approaches Early Childhood Education and leadership resonates with you, we would be very happy to hear from you.

Pay: $65,000.00-$75,000.00 per year

Benefits

- Company events
- Dental care
- Disability insurance
- Discounted or free food
- Employee assistance program
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- On-site childcare
- Paid time off
- Store discount
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision care
- Wellness program

Application question(s):
- Are you able to reliably commute to Blüm Academy locations in Calgary for a full-time, in-person leadership role? How long would your commute be?
- If selected, how much notice would you need to provide your current employer?
- What interested you in Blüm Academy and this leadership opportunity?

Education:
- Secondary School (preferred)

Experience:
- Early childhood education: 3 years (preferred)

Licence/Certification:
- Alberta ECE Level 1, 2 or 3 (preferred)

Work Location: In person

📌 Early Learning School • Leadership (Calgary)
🏢 Blüm Academy
📍 Calgary