- Well-established provider with an outstanding sector reputation
- Executive package + car allowance, South East Melbourne
- Lead with purpose — quality ECE outcomes at scale
Operations Manager – Early Childhood Education | South East Melbourne
An outstanding opportunity for an experienced Operations Manager to join a premium, growing early childhood education provider in Melbourne's south east.
About the opportunity
Our client is an established, highly regarded early childhood education provider with a genuine commitment to quality care and educator development. With a significant portfolio of centres spanning nationally, and a strong presence in Melbourne's south east, this is a rare opportunity to operate at the highest level of the sector — backed by a supportive head office team that genuinely invests in its leaders.
The non-negotiable
Hands-on, senior-level operations experience within early childhood education is essential — this role is not a step up from Centre Director. You will have worked above service level, managing a portfolio of centres across an organisation, with expert knowledge of the NQF, National Law, National Regulations, and the EYLF.
What you'll do
- Oversee day-to-day operations across multiple centres in Melbourne's south east, ensuring quality, consistency, and full regulatory compliance
- Lead, coach, and develop Centre Directors and Managers to deliver outstanding outcomes for children, families, and teams
- Drive enrolments, occupancy, revenue, and operational efficiency across the portfolio
- Manage budgets, P&L, financial reporting, and cost controls in collaboration with senior leadership
- Develop operational systems and policies that support continuous quality improvement
- Identify and address service underperformance with targeted improvement strategies
- Support strategic growth, including onboarding of new services
- Collaborate with operations leaders in other states as part of a broader national team
What you'll bring
- Proven experience as an Operations Manager across multiple early childhood services — multi-site or area management experience essential
- Strong knowledge of the NQF, NQS, National Law, National Regulations, and the EYLF
- Sound financial acumen — budgets, occupancy, and P&L management
- Outstanding people-leadership skills with the ability to motivate and develop teams
- Confidence engaging regulators, families, and executive stakeholders
- Diploma or ECT qualification in Early Childhood Education and Care
- Valid driver's licence and willingness to travel across the south east Melbourne portfolio
What's on offer
- Company car, phone, and laptop
- Competitive salary plus expensed travel
- Discounted childcare gap fees
- Genuine career development and progression pathways
- Supportive, people-first head office culture
- Company events and a collaborative team environment
To apply, submit your resume and a cover letter outlining your ECE operations experience. All applications are handled in strict confidence.
