Centre Director / Centre Manager

Centre Director | Early Childhood Education & Care

$100,000–$130,000 + Super + Performance Bonuses*

Lead with Purpose. Shape a Brand-New Centre.

Are you an experienced early childhood leader ready to make a lasting impact from day one?

The Fern Balwyn North is a brand-new early learning centre seeking a passionate and driven Centre Director to lead the service from the ground up.

This is a unique opportunity to shape more than a centre — you'll help build its culture, lead and develop your team, establish strong relationships with families and the community, and create an environment where children thrive and educators grow.

As Centre Director, you'll have the opportunity to put your leadership vision into action from the very beginning, with the autonomy to build a high-performing team and establish a strong culture of quality, inclusion and excellence.

You'll be supported by an experienced leadership team that genuinely invests in your success, while giving you the trust and autonomy to make your mark on a new service.

Why Join Us?

 We recognise that exceptional leaders deserve exceptional support.

Joining a brand-new centre means you'll have the rare opportunity to:

• Build and shape the centre's culture from day one

• Lead and develop your own high-performing team

• Establish strong relationships with families and the local community

• Set the standard for quality, inclusion and educational excellence

• Help shape the centre's identity, reputation and future success

• Make a lasting impact on a service from its very first chapter

What We Offer

• Competitive salary package of $100,000–$130,000 + Super*

• Performance-based bonus structure*

• Generous childcare fee discounts

• Ongoing leadership development and career progression opportunities

• Access to wellbeing and mental health support programs

• A collaborative and supportive leadership network

• The opportunity to lead and shape a brand-new early learning service

• Genuine autonomy, backed by an experienced and supportive leadership team

About the Role

As the Centre Director, you'll play a pivotal role in establishing and leading the new service, with responsibility for:

• Leading and inspiring a team of educators to deliver exceptional educational outcomes

• Recruiting, mentoring and developing a strong, engaged and high-performing team

• Building meaningful relationships with children, families and the wider community

• Establishing a positive and inclusive centre culture from day one

• Driving compliance with the National Quality Framework and regulatory requirements

• Managing centre operations, occupancy and team performance

• Establishing effective systems, processes and quality practices across the service

• Driving continuous improvement and creating a culture where excellence is the standard

About You

You are a confident, values-driven leader who is passionate about early childhood education and excited by the opportunity to build something exceptional from the ground up.

You'll bring:

• Diploma, Advanced Diploma, Bachelor of Early Childhood Education, or equivalent approved qualification

• Minimum 5 years' experience as a Centre Manager in an Early Learning Centre

• Strong understanding of National Law, Regulations, National Quality Standards and the EYLF

• Proven ability to lead, coach and develop high-performing teams

• Excellent communication, relationship-building and organisational skills

• Experience using childcare management systems and digital platforms

Most importantly, you're a leader who inspires others, leads with integrity and is excited by the opportunity to create an exceptional centre, team and experience from the very beginning.

Diversity & Inclusion

We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, cultures, identities, abilities and experiences, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

If you're ready to lead with purpose, shape a brand-new service and join an organisation that values your expertise, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today and be part of The Fern Balwyn North from day one.