We are seeking an experienced Area Manager to oversee operations across multiple sites, including two key locations in Canberra.

In this role, you will ensure efficient day to day management, drive performance metrics, and maintain high standards of service delivery.

Responsibilities include monitoring wages to optimise labor costs and ensure budget adherence, enforcing compliance with regulatory requirements, health and safety protocols, and company policies.

The ideal candidate will have strong leadership skills, multisite management experience, and a proven track record in financial oversight and risk management.

This position offers an opportunity to lead diverse teams in a dynamic environment, with travel required between sites.

Competitive salary, benefits, and growth potential available.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and mentor multisite teams of early childhood educators, room leaders, and support staff to deliver child-centred programs, including daily activity planning, child observations using frameworks like EYLF (Early Years Learning Framework), roster optimisation for educator-to-child ratios, ongoing professional development in areas such as inclusive practices, and performance appraisals tied to NQS elements.

• Monitor wages and staffing budgets to ensure compliance with the Children's Services Award, optimise labor costs against occupancy levels and funding streams eg Child Care Subsidy

• Uphold stringent adherence to childcare-specific regulations, including the National Quality Framework (NQF), ACECQA guidelines, child protection laws eg mandatory reporting, health and hygiene standards eg infection control under Staying Healthy guidelines, food safety eg allergy management, and incident reporting via systems like NQA ITS, conducting risk assessments to protect vulnerable children and maintain insurance compliance

• Perform routine centre inspections, self-assessment against the 7 NQS quality areas, developmental milestone tracking for children, and comprehensive reporting to ACECQA or funding bodies, using findings to refine policies, enhance programming and achieve or exceed ratings.

• Partner with centre Nominated Supervisors, families, and stakeholders on operational strategies, including increasing enrolments (where applicable), waitlist management, CCS (Child Care Subsidy) reconciliation and budget forecastin

• Facilitate parent and partnerships through regular communication eg apps like Storypark, handle sensitive feedback or complaints regarding child progress, behavior management, or inclusion needs, and organise family events to strengthen community ties

The ideal candidate will hold an Early Childhood Degree or equivalent, with at least five years of management experience in the childcare industry, along with strong leadership and communication skills, and expertise in financial oversight, risk management, and datadriven decision making. Knowledge of childcare-specific software ie CCS Third Party Softwares, a current Working with Children Check, First Aid certification, and a valid driver's license are essential, with frequent travel required between sites.