Assistant Director / Educational Leader - Essendon

Harrison McMillan; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary package

Above-award Local Government condtions

Generous annual leave provisions

Monthly RDO

Leadership progression pathways

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Supportive team culture

Work-life balance and family-friendly

Job summary

Harrison McMillan is recruiting for an Assistant Director / Educational Leader at a Council-operated Children's Service in Essendon. The role blends Educational Leader time with a broad leadership remit, supporting the Centre Director in daily management and fostering high-quality early learning.

You will mentor staff, drive quality improvement, and lead program planning while ensuring strong operations and staff development in a collaborative Local Government setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in Early Childhood Education or ACECQA-equivalent.
• Current VIT registration or eligibility.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support high-quality educational program delivery.
• Mentor educators in curriculum development and reflective practice.
• Drive continuous improvement against NQS.
• Support programming, planning and documentation across rooms.
• Facilitate professional discussions and reflective practice with staff.
• Promote contemporary ECE pedagogy and best practice.
• Assist with Assessment and Rating preparation.
• Support Centre Director with day-to-day management and operations.
• Provide floor leadership and operational oversight.
• Contribute to staff supervision and performance development.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Relationship-building

Education

Bachelor of Early Childhood Education

Job description

Assistant Director / Educational Leader - Essendon

Council-operated Children's Service as an Assistant Director / Educational Leader.

About the role

An exciting opportunity exists for an experienced early childhood professional to join a high-quality Council-operated Children's Service as an Assistant Director / Educational Leader.

This dual-role position combines approximately 7 hours per week dedicated Educational Leader time with a broader leadership role supporting the Centre Director in the day-to-day management and operation of the service. Working within a collaborative and supportive Local Government environment, you will contribute to the delivery of exceptional early learning programs while mentoring educators and driving continuous quality improvement across the service.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and support the implementation of an engaging, inclusive and high-quality educational program
• Mentor and coach educators in curriculum development and reflective practice
• Drive continuous improvement against the National Quality Standard (NQS)
• Support programming, planning and documentation practices across all rooms
• Facilitate critical reflection and professional discussions with educators
• Promote contemporary early childhood pedagogy and best practice
• Assist in preparation for Assessment and Rating processes
• Support the Centre Director with the overall management of the service
• Provide strong floor leadership and operational oversight
• Assist with staff supervision, mentoring and performance development

About you

Bachelor of Early Childhood Education or equivalent ACECQA-approved qualification

Current Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) registration

Demonstrated experience in an Educational Leader, Assistant Director, Lead Educator or similar leadership role

Strong knowledge of the National Quality Framework, National Quality Standard and Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework

Proven ability to mentor and support educators to achieve positive outcomes for children

Exceptional communication, leadership and relationship-building skills

Commitment to delivering high-quality early childhood education and care

About us

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a stable and highly regarded Local Government children's service. Council is committed to child safety, diversity, inclusion and equal opportunity employment.

• Competitive salary package
• Above-award Local Government conditions
• Generous annual leave provisions
• Monthly Rostered Day Off (RDO)
• Strong leadership and career progression pathways
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Supportive and collaborative team culture
• Work-life balance and family-friendly environment