Centre Director

About the role

Orana Early Learning Footscray is seeking an experienced and visionary Centre Director to lead our early learning facility in Footscray, VIC 3011. This is a full-time position that offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of young children and their families within our community. As Centre Director, you will be responsible for the strategic leadership, operational management, and educational vision of our centre, ensuring we maintain the highest standards of care, safety, and learning outcomes. This role is pivotal in establishing and nurturing a positive centre culture that reflects best practice in early childhood education and care.

What you'll be doing

• Providing strategic leadership and vision for the centre, ensuring alignment with Orana Early Learning's values and educational philosophy

• Managing daily operations, including budget oversight, staffing decisions, and resource allocation to ensure efficient and effective service delivery

• Developing and implementing policies and procedures that comply with the National Quality Standard (NQS) and relevant legislation including the Education and Care Services National Law and National Regulations

• Leading and mentoring the educational and support staff team, including recruitment, professional development, performance management and creating a positive workplace culture

• Overseeing the delivery of high-quality early childhood education and care programming that supports children's learning, development and wellbeing

• Building and maintaining strong relationships with families, ensuring open communication and partnership in their child's educational journey

• Conducting regular quality improvement processes and working towards continuous service improvement in all aspects of centre operations

• Managing health, safety and compliance requirements, including incident reporting, duty of care and child protection responsibilities

• Representing the centre at community and professional events and liaising with external stakeholders, regulatory bodies and local organisations

• Maintaining accurate records and documentation as required by legislation and internal procedures

What we're looking for

• A current Australian early childhood teaching qualification (Diploma or Bachelor level in Early Childhood Education) recognised by ASECQA or equivalent

• Current Working with Children Check (or eligibility to obtain) for Victoria

• A minimum of 5 years' experience working in early childhood education and care settings, with at least 2 years in a leadership or supervisory role

• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the National Quality Standard, Australian Curriculum Framework and current early childhood education practices and pedagogies

• Strong understanding of child development, child protection obligations and safeguarding responsibilities

• Excellent leadership and people management skills with the ability to inspire, motivate and support a diverse team

• Strong financial and budgeting management experience with the ability to manage resources effectively

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build strong relationships with families, staff and the broader community

• Experience with regulatory compliance and quality improvement processes aligned with the NQS

• Problem-solving and decision-making capabilities with a solutions-focused approach to challenges

• Current First Aid and CPR certification or willingness to obtain within the first 3 months of employment

• Proficiency with relevant software systems and computer literacy

What we offer

Orana Early Learning Footscray is committed to supporting the professional growth and wellbeing of our staff. We offer a competitive salary package commensurate with qualifications and experience. Additional benefits include:

• Opportunities for ongoing professional development and training to enhance your leadership and educational practice

• A collaborative and supportive workplace culture that values innovation and continuous improvement

• Access to wellbeing initiatives and support services for staff mental health and work-life balance

• A commitment to flexible working arrangements where possible to support your personal circumstances

• The opportunity to work within a values-driven organisation dedicated to providing exceptional early childhood education

• Networking opportunities with early childhood professionals and participation in community initiatives

About us

Orana Early Learning Footscray is an early learning centre dedicated to providing high-quality, inclusive and developmentally appropriate care and education for children in our community. We are committed to fostering a warm, welcoming and stimulating environment where every child can thrive and reach their full potential. Our team is passionate about supporting children's learning and development whilst building strong partnerships with families. We embrace contemporary approaches to early childhood education that are child-centred, play-based and responsive to individual needs. Orana Early Learning is part of a broader commitment to excellence in childcare and outside school hours care, and we take pride in our contribution to the local Footscray community.

Apply now

If you are an experienced early childhood professional with a passion for leading a quality service and making a difference in children's lives, we would love to hear from you. Please submit your CV, cover letter and contact details of two referees to apply for this exciting opportunity. For further information about this role, please contact Orana Early Learning Footscray directly.