Guide a 100+ place community-managed, not-for-profit early years service combining long day care, sessional and extended hours kindergarten care under the one roof.

A rare opportunity to lead an established, exceeding-rated early childhood education service currently on a waitlist basis with a proud community legacy. The centre operates across seven learning spaces and delivers long-day care, sessional kindergarten, and nature-based programs, supported by a large, values-aligned team and a professional parent-led Committee of Management.

• A generous salary + WRG, with achievable performance-based bonus incentives throughout the year, based on experience (up to 130K)

• Above-ratio staffing and generous individual and room planning time for your staff (staff on either the VECTEA or PCS 2025 or a combination of the two)

• 1 Admin Support Personnel (1.0) & 1 x Finance/payroll support (1.0), and the dedication of a completely off-the-floor ACM.

• Ten-day Christmas/New Year closure and proactive wellbeing initiatives

• Professional development funding for leadership and pedagogical growth, and for networking within the ECEC and local council communities.

• Beautiful, natural environments that support indoor/outdoor learning and community connection

• Benefit from walking into a service that already has full occupancy with waitlists across several rooms, a stable long-standing team of Teachers, Educators and support staff, all ensuring a stable and vibrant community

This long-standing, community-managed, not-for-profit early learning service operates within a dynamic educational precinct that brings together early childhood, primary, and secondary education. Co-located with a Maternal and Child Health service, and adjacent to both a primary school and a secondary college, the centre forms part of a broader Learning Hub that promotes seamless educational transitions and meaningful community connections.

The service offers a comprehensive range of long-day care, extended-hours kindergarten, and sessional kindergarten programs for 3- and 4-year-olds. Its signature nature-based program, Canal Kindergarten, extends the classroom beyond the fence, inviting children to explore the nearby canal and surrounding community spaces. Through regular outdoor excursions, children develop environmental awareness, curiosity, and confidence, supported by experienced educators skilled in risk/benefit play.

Each of the seven purpose-built learning spaces is calm, light-filled, and features open-ended areas designed to promote curiosity, collaboration, and creativity. Classrooms are supported by above-ratio staffing, generous planning time, and well-resourced budgets. Specialist enrichment programs in music, physical education, kitchen garden, and visual arts complement the daily curriculum.

Cultural and linguistic diversity is one of the service's strengths, with staff representing 8-9 languages and families from a wide range of cultural backgrounds. This diversity, along with embedded First Nations perspectives, ensures that the program celebrates inclusion and fosters a sense of belonging.

Governance is provided by a skilled and committed parent-led Committee of Management, meeting 810 times a year to maintain transparent, strategic, and community-based leadership.

You will lead a highly engaged team of approximately 55 educators, teachers, and support staff, ensuring the service continues to meet and exceed National Quality Standards while fostering a collaborative, reflective and inclusive culture. The role offers both strategic scope and hands-on leadership within a genuinely community-driven environment. The successful Centre Director will report directly to the board, actively prepare and participate in 8-10 after-hours board meetings throughout each calendar year.

We are looking for a leader who can balance strategic vision and sharp business acumen skills with grounded, relational leadership.

• Australian work authorisation is required at the time of application.

• Proven leadership and operational management skills in an Early Childhood setting.

• A minimum of 3-4 years of leadership experience in Early Childhood settings is required.

• Strong business and financial acumen with the ability to oversee P&L and maximise centre budget.

• Degree in Early Childhood from a recognised University (as listed on the approved qualification list by ACECQA) is highly desirable, or Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care (or equivalent as an absolute minimum).

• Current First Aid, anaphylaxis and emergency asthma management training, Accredited Child Protection Training

• Valid Working with Children Check, Police Check, or equivalent pre-employment checks

• Demonstrated ability to lead and inspire teams, manage compliance and governance requirements, and oversee financial reporting and resource allocation effectively and efficiently, regardless of formal title or years in a previous role.

• Experience working in, or a strong understanding of, community-managed and not-for-profit early childhood services.

• Previous achievements of successful Assessment & Rating outcomes

• A calm, emotionally intelligent leadership style that promotes a speak-up culture and can set clear expectations

• Confidence in governance, budgeting, compliance, risk mitigation and staff development

• Confidence to continue to embed a commitment to child safety and wellbeing.

• Experience engaging with families, the local community, and external stakeholders and reporting to a Committee of Management.

• A cohesive and reflective team culture anchored in psychological safety and mutual respect

• Consistent Exceeding-aligned practice across all programs

• Efficient systems leveraging admin and accounts support

• Strong community engagement and transparent governance

Early Years Talent is partnering exclusively with this community-managed service on this appointment.

For a confidential conversation, contact Joshua Freeman at josh.freeman@earlyyearstalent.com.