Would you like to lead the effort to merge two successful preschools into one strong, unified unit? Then this might be the right opportunity for you!

We are now looking for a principal for the Southwest Preschool District who wants to lead the Gitarren and Kornetten preschools, both located in Rödäng. 

About the Position

We are embarking on an exciting organizational development initiative in which Gitarren Preschool and Kornetten Preschoolwill be merged under a single leadership. The preschools have a total of 8 classes and already share the same geographical location. They are located near Rödberget, with access to beautiful green spaces and playgrounds, as well as the Rödängsskolan school grounds.

Your primary responsibility will be to lead this merger process. Our goal is to unite the preschools around a shared educational philosophy, a consistent approach, and a strong sense of community, while drawing on the best aspects of each institution.

Our Preschools Today

Gitarren Preschool consists of three classes. Inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach, we aim to offer children opportunities to discover and learn together through various forms of creative expression.

The Kornetten Preschool consists of five classes. We offer a safe, fun, and educational environment where all children thrive and develop. At our preschool, we have fun together! 

Your Responsibilities

You will be responsible for educational program development, staff, and finances at the Gitarren and Kornetten preschools. A total of 8 classes and approximately 25 employees. The role involves:

• leading educational development and ensuring that goals are met at the preschools
• providing direction for the preschools’ work so that all staff share a common understanding of the mission, primarily by creating a shared vision and a common pedagogical thread for the 8 departments
• actively work on continuous improvement and quality assurance, primarily by driving and structuring the merger with a focus on culture-building, communication, and shared pedagogical development
• actively works on systematic workplace environment initiatives, primarily by uniting the two staff groups into a single team and creating a safe and inspiring work environment
• focuses on the financial development of the organization
• actively contributes to the development of the management structure in close collaboration with school principals in the area
• carries out overarching management tasks based on the needs of the organization

You will be part of the leadership team for the South West preschool region, where you will actively contribute to the region’s joint operational development. Your immediate supervisor is the area manager for the same region.

About You

We are looking for someone who: 

• have a college degree in early childhood education
• are well-versed in the preschool curriculum and systematic quality assurance and have experience in educational work within preschools
• preferably have experience as a principal, assistant principal, or in another leadership support role
• experience with or a good understanding of the Reggio Emilia philosophy is a plus.

If you do not have experience as a principal, we expect you to have led or coordinated colleagues in educational development work, assisted the principal in leadership tasks, and/or have completed the municipality’s internal trainee program for future school leaders or the Recruitment Training Program.

We are looking for a confident and communicative leader who is skilled at engaging and rallying your colleagues toward shared goals. Your communication style is characterized by a desire to involve your colleagues by creating effective forums for dialogue and gaining buy-in for decisions.

You foster positive relationships between staff, children, and parents/guardians, based on the belief that a well-functioning workplace requires a secure foundation where employees and families feel genuine support and goodwill from you as a leader. With this consideration as a foundation, you also actively contribute to cooperation and collaboration within the management team to which you belong. 

It is essential that you are a quality-conscious leader who recognizes that your leadership actions and your ability to understand the organization are the foundation for successfully leading, organizing, and planning the preschool’s operations so that they promote all children’s learning and development.

Additional Information

Before an offer of employment is made, we ask that you provide an extract from the police criminal records database. This is done as the final step in the recruitment process.

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About Umeå Municipality

Umeå Municipality is the region’s largest employer, with over 13,000 essential employees. Our organization is divided into nine departments, and together we work to ensure that Umeå grows thoughtfully. Our core values are based on a citizen-centered approach, transparency, trust, and continuous improvement. With us, you’ll work on missions that are vital to society, helping to ensure that Umeå remains a safe, secure, and fun place to live.

Umeå is northern Sweden’s largest city, offering a rich variety of experiences and opportunities. We’re a city of associations and culture that offers a richer life even outside of work. Here, you can learn what it’s like to live in Umeå: Moving to Umeå Municipality

Our team is growing, so maybe we’re looking for you? Do you want more, too? We offer fair working conditions, great benefits, and excellent opportunities for lifelong learning, as well as jobs that are important to everyone who lives and works here. We look forward to hearing from you.