Assistant Director (2iC) / Educational Leader

Little Zaks; Sydney; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Staff retention payment 15%

Rotating rosters for work-life balance

Competitive remuneration depending on…

Staff childcare discount up to 50%

Wellbeing day for permanent staff

Health and wellness allowance up to $-

$1,000 employee referral bonus

Employee Assistance Program via Sonder

Paid staff meetings with dinner

Induction and onboarding program

Mentoring and buddy system

Pay for Progression study support

Job summary

Little Zak's Academy in Sydney's NSW region seeks an experienced Assistant Director (2IC) to join our Ropes Crossing service. You will support the Director in leadership, compliance and daily operations, ensuring high-quality early childhood education.

Lead the educator team, mentor staff, and help implement the Early Years Learning Framework and National Quality Standards. This role offers rotating rosters, strong team support, and pathways for professional growth within a family-owned centre.

Qualifications

• ACECQA approved Diploma or Teaching Degree in Early Childhood Education.
• Minimum 3 years leadership experience in an Early Childhood setting, or 5 years overall sector experience.
• Current First Aid, Anaphylaxis and Asthma management certifications.
• Working With Children Check and Child Protection Training.
• Deep knowledge of the National Quality Framework, National Law and Regulations, and Child Care Subsidy system.
• Strong communication, mentoring and team-building skills.
• Passionate about inspiring both children and educators to reach their full potential.

Responsibilities

• Support the Director in the overall leadership, compliance and management of the service.
• Act as the Responsible Person/Nominated Supervisor in the Director’s absence.
• Provide leadership, mentoring and guidance to the educator team.
• Lead the development, implementation and review of educational programs, guided by the Early Years Learning Framework (V2.0) and the National Quality Standard (NQS).
• Work with educators to ensure curriculum is responsive, inclusive and reflective of children’s needs, interests and abilities.
• Ensure a strong focus on child wellbeing, safety and child protection requirements.
• Assist with staff inductions, professional development and performance management.
• Build and maintain respectful relationships with children, families and the wider community.
• Drive continuous improvement across both curriculum and operational practices.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Mentoring

Team-building

Education

Diploma/Teaching Degree (ECE)

Job description

• Rotating rosters with flexibility depending on your needs
• Purpose-built centre + inclusive, supportive team & leadership
• Get mentored by our experienced Centre Director to implement/develop programs

• Rotating rosters with flexibility depending on your needs
• Purpose-built centre + inclusive, supportive team & leadership
• Get mentored by our experienced Centre Director to implement/develop programs

Little Zak's Academy is privately owned and family run. Our aim is to provide early childhood care and education in a safe, welcoming, adopting and nurturing environment.

Our staff are dedicated professionals who value the importance of maintaining an optimum level of care and education for all children. We select our staff based on knowledge and values, vision for children and learning, and commitment to families.

We are seeking an experienced Assistant Director (2IC) to join our Ropes Crossing service.

Why Join Us?

• We are proud to be part of the Australian Government’s Worker Retention Payment program. Eligible team members at Little Zak's Academy now receive an additional 15% on top of award rates. The Australian Government announced that the Worker Retention Payment program would be extended until 30 June 2028, continuing to support wage increases for eligible early childhood educators. Little Zak's Academy was one of the first approved providers nationally to participate in this initiative, ensuring our team could access these additional benefits from the commencement of the program.
• Rotating rosters to support work life balance
• Competitive remuneration depending on your qualification and experience
• Up to 50 percent staff childcare discount
• Paid wellbeing day each year for permanent staff (after 12 months)
• Health and wellness allowance reimbursing up to $50 per month (gym, pool, wellness memberships)
• $1,000 employee referral bonus for each successful referral
• Employee Assistance Program via Sonder, offering unlimited confidential counselling and wellbeing support
• Paid staff meetings, including dinner provided
• Paid off-floor induction with structured onboarding and training
• Mentoring and buddy system for all new starters
• Study support through Pay for Progression, including Certificate III, Diploma, and Early Childhood Teaching pathways (T&Cs apply)
• Strong promote-from-within culture with long-term career opportunities

About the role:

• Support the Director in the overall leadership, compliance and management of the service.
• Act as the Responsible Person/Nominated Supervisor in the Director’s absence.
• Provide leadership, mentoring and guidance to the educator team.
• Lead the development, implementation and review of educational programs, guided by the Early Years Learning Framework (V2.0) and the National Quality Standard (NQS).
• Work with educators to ensure curriculum is responsive, inclusive and reflective of children’s needs, interests and abilities.
• Ensure a strong focus on child wellbeing, safety and child protection requirements.
• Assist with staff inductions, professional development and performance management.
• Build and maintain respectful relationships with children, families and the wider community.
• Drive continuous improvement across both curriculum and operational practices.

About you:

• ACECQA approved Diploma or Teaching Degree in Early Childhood Education.
• Minimum 3 years leadership experience in an Early Childhood setting, or 5 years overall sector experience.
• Current First Aid, Anaphylaxis and Asthma management certifications.
• Valid Working With Children Check and Child Protection Training.
• Deep knowledge of the National Quality Framework, National Law and Regulations, and Child Care Subsidy system.
• Strong communication, mentoring and team-building skills.
• Passionate about inspiring both children and educators to reach their full potential.

Little Zak's Child Safety Commitment

Little Zak’s Academy is a Child Safe Organisation.

We prioritise the safety, wellbeing, and rights of all children and maintain a strong culture of child safety across our services. As part of our commitment, we have a rigorous recruitment and screening process in place, including comprehensive reference checks, Police checks and child-safe employment checks.

By applying for a role with Little Zak’s Academy, you acknowledge and agree to undergo all required child safety checks as part of our employment process.

We are an equal opportunity workplace where diversity is embraced. We foster a culture that supports inclusion and we encourage all qualified candidates to apply.