Centre Director

Smart Cookies Early Learning Centre; New South Wales; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Worker Retention Payment

Childcare discount

Professional development

Career progression

Autonomy to lead

Family-owned leadership

Recognition programs

Team celebrations

Job summary

Smart Cookies Early Learning Centre in Ermington is opening a brand-new, architecturally designed 75-place centre. We are seeking an experienced Centre Director to lead from day one, shaping culture, staff development and family relationships.

You will manage day-to-day operations, led by a family-owned leadership team, with a competitive salary package and opportunities for ongoing professional development and career progression.

Qualifications

• Diploma or higher in early childhood education and care.
• Current Working With Children Check.
• First Aid, CPR, Asthma & Anaphylaxis certifications (if applicable).
• National Child Safety Training Certificate and Child Protection training are highly valued.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily operations of the 75-place service, ensuring compliance and quality standards.
• Roster management, staff performance, and team engagement.
• Oversee budgets and financial reporting, including P&L.
• Build strong relationships with families and the local community.
• Maintain high safety, care, and regulatory documentation standards.
• Oversee Assessment & Rating processes and continuous improvement planning.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Communication

Budgeting

Education

Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

National Child Safety Training Certificate

Accredited Child Protection Training Certificate

Job description

Because Exceptional Early Learning Starts with Exceptional People

Step straight into a leadership role with full autonomy

Up to $150k salary package for the right candidate

Step into a leadership role at a newly built, cutting-edge 75-place centre where your leadership directly impacts children, staff, and families

Family-owned, values-driven organisation that respects your expertise and time

As we prepare to open ourbrand-new, architecturally designed 75-place Early Learning Centre in Ermington, we're looking for an experienced and passionate Centre Director who wants the rare opportunity to lead and help establish a new service from the ground up. Child safety will be paramount in every aspect of your leadership, decision-making and practice. This is your chance to shape the culture and direction of the centre from day one, build a strong and engaged team, develop lasting relationships with families, and create a high-quality learning environment that will set the foundation for years to come.

About the Opportunity

You’ll be fully responsible for day-to-day leadership and operational management of a 75-place centre.

More specifically, your responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Leading daily operations of the service, ensuring compliance and quality standards
• Managing rosters, staff performance, and team engagement
• Handling budgets, reporting, and all financial aspects, including P&L
• Building strong relationships with families and the local community
• Maintaining high standards in safety, care, and regulatory documentation
• Overseeing Assessment & Rating processes and continuous improvement planning

About You

To qualify, you will need a minimum of a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care and prior experience as a Centre Director or 2IC. A minimum of 2+ years in a leadership role within early childhood education is essential.

You’ll also hold:

• Current Working With Children Check
• First Aid, CPR, Asthma & Anaphylaxis certifications
• Accredited Child Protection Training Certificate
• National Child Safety Training Certificate

The following will also be highly valued:

• Proven success navigating A&R and compliance standards
• Experience managing small teams in tight-knit environments
• Confidence in rostering, budgeting, and centre administration

You’re a confident and experienced leader who takes pride in creating high-quality learning environments and building strong, supportive teams. You enjoy what you do, lead by example, and genuinely care about helping your educators grow. This role suits someone who thrives in a close-knit setting where their impact is visible every day.

About the Benefits

Your experience and leadership will be rewarded with a competitive annual salary of $110,000 – $120,000 + super, plus:

• Worker Retention Payment
• Up to 50% childcare discount for your child (gap fee)
• Ongoing professional development and career progression opportunities
• Genuine autonomy to lead and shape a brand-new service
• Support from an experience, family-owned leadership team
• Employee recognition programs including Employee of the Month
• Regular team celebrations and social events
• The rare opportunity to build your team, culture and centre operations from the ground up
• Beautifully architecturally designed facilities featuring dedicated outdoor play spaces for every room