Team Leader Kindergarten Programs

• Permanent Full Time 
• $111,811 – $123,329 pa (plus 12% super and annual pay increases)
• Flexible working arrangements available including flexitime, WFH and RDOs

Who we are
Surf Coast Shire Council delivers services from Lorne to Winchelsea to Torquay and all of the communities in-between, spanning the Traditional Lands of the Wadawurrung People and the Gulidjan and Gadabanud Peoples of the Eastern Maar Nation. Locals experience a sought-after quality of life, and when you work with Council, you are helping our community and environment to thrive.

Our people play vital roles in creating an innovative, safe, respectful, and supportive workplace, living our values, and delivering exceptional services to our community.

We empower our people to do their best and be proud of their achievements. We have a commitment to growth and development and our employees enjoy a contemporary working environment with flexibility and hybrid working arrangements. 

We work together, we see opportunity, we do what we say, and we make a difference.
 

Your new career
The Team Leader Kindergarten Programs plays a key leadership role within Surf Coast Shire Council's Early Years Management (EYM) team, overseeing the delivery of high-quality kindergarten programs across six services. 

Through regular travel across the municipality, including to kindergarten services in Lorne, Winchelsea, Anglesea, Jan Juc and Torquay Township, the role provides:

• on-site leadership, 
• mentoring, 
• operational guidance, 
• and program support to teachers and educators. 

Working closely with staff and stakeholders, the Team Leader ensures children aged 3 to 6 years have access to inclusive, engaging, and developmentally appropriate learning experiences while supporting continuous improvement and maintaining compliance with relevant legislation, regulations, and quality standards.

What you will bring to the role
You are an experienced and passionate early childhood leader who thrives on supporting people, building strong relationships, and driving high-quality outcomes for children, families, and educators.

To thrive in this role you will: 

• Lead and inspire high-performing teams by fostering a positive workplace culture, providing mentoring and professional guidance, and supporting educators to deliver exceptional kindergarten programs.
• Build strong and collaborative relationships with educators, families, community groups, schools, and government stakeholders to strengthen service delivery and achieve positive outcomes for children.
• Drive quality, compliance, and continuous improvement by confidently managing operational requirements, supporting services to meet legislative and funding obligations, and identifying opportunities for growth and innovation across the kindergarten network.

Most importantly, you will bring a genuine passion for early childhood education, a commitment to excellence, and the ability to lead with confidence, empathy, and integrity across multiple kindergarten services.

Key selection criteria
Mandatory qualifications, experience and requirements

• A Tertiary qualification in Early Childhood Education (must be in accordance with Education and Care services Nationals Regulations, a qualification check will be conducted)
• Minimum of five years’ experience in early years or other appropriate experience at a supervisory level.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the National Quality Framework in relation to leading a kindergarten service.
• Demonstrated experience in leading and supervising individual staff members and staff teams
• Demonstrated knowledge of the Kindergarten Early Years Management Framework and Kindergarten Funding Guidelines 
• Demonstrated high level writing skills including; funding applications, acquittals, reports and policies.
• High Level of understanding of established partnerships with government and non-government services and agencies relating to Kindergarten programs
• Demonstrated computer skills in a variety of online portals and applications, such as MS Word and Excel.
• Demonstrated capacity in understanding the purpose of values in an organisation.
• Current Victorian driver’s licence
• A current Working With Children Check
• You have the permanent right to live and work in Australia
• Police Check results that are suitable for this position (will be arranged by Surf Coast Shire Council). 
  A complete international criminal history check is required if the person has worked or lived overseas for any period of time OR a complete national criminal history check is required if the person has only ever worked in Australia.

What you’ll love working with us
Council embraces diversity and social inclusion and encourages applications from skilled people from all walks of life.

We recognise that our employees play a vital role in creating an innovative, safe, respectful and supportive workplace, living our values and delivering exceptional services to our thriving community. Council is committed to providing a workplace culture of equity, inclusion and diversity that eliminates all forms of discrimination, harassment and bullying.

There are numerous social activities throughout the year available as well as the benefits of:

• Flexible working arrangements including working from home and flexi time options, RDOs
• Employee Assistance Program and award-winning staff wellbeing program
• Career development and learning opportunities, we help our people grow
• Operational use of Council vehicle 
• Purchase of additional annual leave
• Free onsite parking
• Leave loading.

For more information
You’ll find further details about the role, including accountabilities and key selection criteria, in the Position Description on our website – [Position Description PDF]

If you believe you have the knowledge, skills and experience to fulfil this role and would like further information, please contact Melissa Iannazzo, Coordinator Early Years on 5261 0600.

How to apply
Applications are to be in Word or PDF format and should include a:

• cover letter including your statement addressing the selection criteria 
• copy of your resume. 

Please note that only applications with a statement addressing the selection criteria will be considered for this position.

Simply complete the application process by clicking the "Apply Now" button and we'll be in touch with you shortly regarding your application. 

Applications close at 11.59pm Sunday 30 August 2026. 

Surf Coast Shire Council is an equal opportunity and child safe employer.