Assistant Director/ 2IC

Perfect Start Child Care Centres; Brisbane; On-site; AUD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Leadership role with non-contact time

Professional development support

Rewards Gateway discounts

Annual Awards Night

Career growth opportunities

Culture of collaboration and wellbeing

Job summary

Perfect Start Birkdale is seeking an Assistant Director / 2IC to lead alongside the Centre Director while remaining connected to children and educational practice. You will balance direct care with strategic operations, mentoring educators and strengthening family partnerships.

You will foster a collaborative culture and contribute to ongoing quality improvement, with opportunities to step into Centre Director responsibilities when needed.

Qualifications

• Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care (or equivalent).
• Leadership experience in an early childhood setting.
• Strong knowledge of the Early Years Learning Framework, National Quality Standard and relevant legislation.
• Genuine passion for mentoring and developing educators.
• Current Blue Card.
• Current First Aid, CPR, Asthma and Anaphylaxis qualifications (or willingness to obtain).

Responsibilities

• Work alongside the Centre Director to support the day-to-day leadership and operations of the service.
• Spend time working directly with children and educators, building meaningful relationships and supporting high-quality practice.
• Use dedicated non-contact leadership time to support administration, compliance, team development and continuous improvement.
• Mentor and support educators to build confidence, capability and reflective practice.
• Foster a positive, collaborative and inclusive team culture where everyone feels valued.
• Support educators to notice, wonder alongside children, and create learning experiences responsive to children's ideas and theories.
• Build strong partnerships with families and the wider community.
• Contribute to the centre's Quality Improvement Plan and ongoing journey towards excellence.
• Step confidently into the Centre Director role when required.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Communication

Organisational skills

Problem-solving

Relationship building

Early childhood leadership

Education

Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care

Job description

Perfect Start Child Care Centres – Birkdale QLD

Assistant Director / 2IC

Lead People. Support Practice. Stay Connected to What Matters Most.

Not all Assistant Director / 2IC roles are the same.

At Perfect Start Birkdale, we believe the best leadership happens in the moments that matter most alongside children, beside educators, and in partnership with families.

We're looking for passionate Assistant Directors / 2ICs to join our team at Perfect Start Birkdale.

This is a unique opportunity for someone who enjoys the best of both worlds, a leadership role that allows you to remain connected to children and educational practice while also stepping into centre leadership. You'll spend part of your week working directly with children and educators, while also having dedicated non-contact leadership time to support the Centre Director with operations, mentoring, continuous improvement and creating a positive team culture.

If your idea of leadership is building capability, nurturing relationships and creating an environment where both children and educators can thrive, we'd love to hear from you.

About Us

At Perfect Start Birkdale, we believe childhood is not preparation for life it is life.

We see children as capable, competent and full of potential. We believe relationships are at the heart of everything we do, and that the strongest learning communities are built when children, families and educators all feel they belong.

Our leaders are more than managers. They are mentors, role models and advocates who create the conditions for children and educators to flourish.

About the Role

As our Assistant Director / 2IC, you will:

• Work alongside the Centre Director to support the day-to-day leadership and operations of the service.
• Spend time working directly with children and educators, building meaningful relationships and supporting high-quality practice.
• Use your dedicated non-contact leadership time to support administration, compliance, team development and continuous improvement.
• Mentor and support educators to build confidence, capability and reflective practice.
• Foster a positive, collaborative and inclusive team culture where everyone feels valued.
• Support educators to notice, wonder alongside children, and create learning experiences that are responsive to children's ideas, questions and theories.
• Build strong partnerships with families and the wider community.
• Contribute to the centre's Quality Improvement Plan and ongoing journey towards excellence.
• Step confidently into the Centre Director role when required.

About You

You are someone who:

• Leads with kindness, integrity and authenticity.
• Loves supporting others to grow and celebrating their successes.
• Understands that great leadership starts with strong relationships.
• Enjoys being present with children while also developing your leadership skills.
• Is organized, proactive and solutions-focused.
• Can confidently balance the needs of children, families, educators and the service.
• Embraces feedback, reflection and continuous learning.
• Believes every child and every educator deserves someone who believes in them.

We're not looking for perfection. We're looking for someone who is reflective, willing to learn, and committed to continually growing alongside children, families and colleagues. Someone who leads with humility, embraces challenge and understands that the best leaders never stop learning themselves.

What You'll Bring

• Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care.
• Previous leadership experience within an early childhood setting.
• Strong knowledge of the Early Years Learning Framework, National Quality Standard and relevant legislation.
• A genuine passion for mentoring and developing educators.
• Strong communication, organisational and problem-solving skills.
• Current Blue Card.
• Current First Aid, CPR, Asthma and Anaphylaxis qualifications (or willingness to obtain).

What We Offer

At Perfect Start Birkdale, we invest in our people because we know that when educators grow, children thrive.

As part of our team, you'll enjoy:

• A leadership role that combines valuable time with children alongside dedicated non-contact leadership time.
• A supportive Centre Director and leadership team who genuinely value your ideas and expertise.
• Ongoing paid professional development because great leaders never stop learning.
• Access to our Rewards Gateway, offering discounts across hundreds of retailers, travel, entertainment and lifestyle brands.
• An annual Awards Night where we celebrate the incredible impact of our educators and leaders.
• Clear opportunities for meaningful career growth and leadership development.
• A culture built on collaboration, reflection and continuous improvement.
• A workplace where relationships, wellbeing and professional growth are genuinely prioritised.

Most importantly, you'll never be expected to lead alone. You'll be supported by a leadership team that values collaboration, shares knowledge generously and believes the best outcomes are achieved when leaders learn from one another and work together.

Why Perfect Start Birkdale?

Because we believe leadership is about more than managing a centre.

It's about creating a workplace where educators feel supported.

It's about building genuine relationships with families.

It's about protecting and honouring childhood.

And it's about creating environments where children—and the adults who support them—can truly thrive.

If you're looking for more than just an Assistant Director / 2IC position—if you're looking for a place where you'll be inspired, supported, challenged and empowered to make a genuine difference—we'd love to hear from you.