Centre Director - Community-managed, exceeding-rated service

A rare opportunity to lead a 105-place, exceeding-rated, community-managed, not-for-profit early childhood education and care service delivering sessional kindergarten, extended hours kindergarten, and long day care. You will guide a much-loved service with strong community ties, stable staff, and nature-rich learning environments.

Benefits include

• Generous remuneration: total package in the $90,000$130,000 range, plus quarterly performance incentives.
• Flexible work arrangements are possible.
• Dedicated leadership support: two full-time administration personnel and an off-the-floor Assistant Director.
• Two-week paid closure over the Christmas/New Year period.
• Above-ratio staffing in every room with an established and reliable casual pool.
• Full occupancy with waitlists in place.
• Well-funded budgets for environments, outings, curriculum, and learning resources.
• Leadership-focused professional development, including VEYLDF, NQF, and subject matter expert workshops.
• Nature-rich indoor and outdoor environments: veggie gardens, wetland,s and canal kindergarten.
• Low staff turnover, proactive wellbeing initiatives, and a team that truly enjoys coming to work.

About the service

Our client enjoys a long-standing reputation for high-quality education and strong ties to the local community. Governed by a professional, supportive parent-led Committee of Management, the centre holds an Exceeding NQS rating and is co-located with a maternal health centre and primary school. Four highly resourced indoor learning environments flow to expansive natural outdoor spaces. Children benefit from regular library visits, canal kindergarten, incursions, and a curriculum that fosters joyful, inquiry-rich learning.

Your leadership matters

• Lead excellence in governance, compliance, and continuous improvement aligned with National Law and Regulations.
• Collaborate with the Educational Leader(s) to embed a high-quality, play-based curriculum aligned with VEYLDF/EYLF frameworks.
• Champion reflective practice and data-informed planning through QIPs and A&R feedback.
• Mentor, inspire, and empower a team of approximately 55 teachers, educators and support staff, fostering professional growth and wellbeing.
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with families, the community, and all stakeholders
• Oversee strategic operations, including full ownership of the P&L, budgeting, transparent governance, and long-term service sustainability.
• Ensure full compliance with all legislative and regulatory requirements.

About you

• ACECQA-recognised Degree (ideally) or Diploma qualification in Early Childhood Education and Care.
• Minimum five years of experience as a Centre Director/Nominated Supervisor, ideally in a community or not-for-profit service.
• Proven expertise in NQF and NQS compliance, with a track record of exceeding outcomes.
• A strategic, responsive leader who leads with empathy, action, and professionalism.
• A relationship-first approach to staff, families, and governance where people and pedagogy come before profit.
• Strong business acumen, including ownership of the P&L and comfort navigating the complexity of sessional kindergarten alongside long day care.

Why apply through Early Years Talent

We do more than advertise jobs;  we champion educators. When you apply through us, you receive:

• Access to exclusive opportunities with high-quality, trusted services
• Career coaching and interview preparation, so you feel confident and ready
• Insider insights into centre culture, leadership style, and professional growth pathways
• Confidential advocacy,  we never share your details without consent
• Ongoing support through your offer and beyond

It will never cost you a cent. Our clients invest in this service to ensure they attract the very best educators.

At Early Years Talent, our mission is simple: to connect passionate educators with services where they can grow, thrive, and make a lasting impact.