Centre Director | Located Nearby Crows Nest

Anila Recruitment

Sydney

On-site

AUD 125,000 - 135,000

Full time

2 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Salary package: $125,000–$135,000 per

Autonomy to lead centre

Four weeks annual leave

On-site parking

Professional development opportunities

Work with owner-operators

Job summary

Anila Recruitment is seeking an experienced Centre Director to lead a well-regarded 75-place early learning centre near Crows Nest, NSW. You will oversee day-to-day operations, staffing, budgets, compliance and family relationships within a family-owned setting.

You will collaborate with the owners, implement continuous improvement, and mentor educators while guiding the service toward ongoing quality and community engagement. The role offers autonomy in a supportive, non-corporate environment.

Qualifications

A Diploma or Degree in Early Childhood Education.
Minimum 2–3 years’ experience as a Centre Director or Assistant Director stepping up.
Experience in privately owned standalone services is valued.
Strong leadership, collaboration and stakeholder management.

Responsibilities

Oversee daily operations and strategic direction of the centre.
Manage budgets, rostering, purchasing and admin.
Ensure compliance with the National Quality Framework and regulations.
Lead recruitment, onboarding and staff development.
Foster strong relationships with families and the community.

Skills

Centre leadership

Budgeting

Staffing

Regulatory compliance

Educational leadership

Education

Diploma or Degree in Early Childhood Education

Job description

Centre Director | Located Nearby Crows Nest

Anila Recruitment is a specialist talent agency partnering with purpose-driven organisations across Early Years and Outside School Hours Care (OSHC). We are exclusively representing well-established, family-owned early learning service seeking an experienced Centre Director to take the lead on the operations of their high quality service.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Centre Director or a capable Assistant Director ready to take the next step into a senior leadership position. The successful candidate will be someone collaborative and flexible with their approach to Early Childhood Education and Care.

You will take ownership of the day-to-day operations and future direction of a respected 75-place early learning centre, working closely with the business owners to oversee staffing, financial performance, compliance, facilities, educational quality and family relationships.

The centre offers a warm, family-oriented environment with character-filled architecture, modern indoor and outdoor learning spaces and a team of long-standing educators who know the service, its families and its community well. The service has built a strong local reputation and has been recognised through local business awards.

You will be working directly with experienced owners who bring more than 30 years of hands-on early childhood management experience, you will receive ongoing guidance and mentoring while being trusted to make decisions, implement practices and run the centre as if it were your own.

Key Perks and Finer Details

Salary package: $125,000–$135,000 per annum, inclusive of superannuation and other benefit.

Established service: Lead a well-regarded 75-place centre with strong community connections.

Family-owned environment: Work directly with the service owners in a welcoming, non-corporate setting where collaboration and relationships are valued.

Genuine autonomy: Take responsibility for centre operations, staffing, budgets, compliance and service performance.

Established team: Work alongside long-serving educators and an experienced Educational Leader who understands the centre’s culture and processes.

Career development: Help shape the centre’s future and implement continuous improvement initiatives.

Practical benefits: Four weeks of annual leave, on-site parking and professional development opportunities by agreement.

Potential commencement: An opportunity to commence in early 2027 or before yar end 2026

Key Perks and Finer Details

Salary package: $125,000–$135,000 per annum, inclusive of superannuation and other benefit.

Established service: Lead a well-regarded 75-place centre with strong community connections.

Family-owned environment: Work directly with the service owners in a welcoming, non-corporate setting where collaboration and relationships are valued.

Genuine autonomy: Take responsibility for centre operations, staffing, budgets, compliance and service performance.

Established team: Work alongside long-serving educators and an experienced Educational Leader who understands the centre’s culture and processes.

Career development: Help shape the centre’s future and implement continuous improvement initiatives.

Practical benefits: Four weeks of annual leave, on-site parking and professional development opportunities by agreement.

Potential commencement: An opportunity to commence in early 2027 or before yar end 2026

Key Responsibilities

Operational and Business Management

Take ownership of the overall operation and strategic direction of the centre, ensuring efficient, organised and compliant day-to-day management.

Oversee budgets, weekly rostering, purchasing, invoicing, supplier relationships and general administration.

Manage weekly rostering and workforce planning, balancing educator coverage, regulatory ratios, staff availability and wage expenditure.

Oversee enrolment enquiries, documentation, child profiles and transition processes to ensure a smooth experience for families.

Manage facilities, maintenance, health and safety, risk management and emergency procedures.

People Leadership and Team Development

Lead a team of approximately 22 permanent and casual employees, representing around 13–15 FTE

Maintain a positive, accountable and collaborative team culture that supports educator retention, professional development and quality outcomes.

Lead recruitment, onboarding, performance management and workforce planning, addressing performance concerns decisively and constructively.

Support the development of trainees and emerging educators, contributing to a strong pipeline of future talent.

Compliance, Safety and Quality

Maintain strong compliance with the National Quality Framework, National Quality Standard, Education and Care Services National Law and Regulations, and all relevant legislative requirements.

Drive continuous improvement, ensuring policies, procedures, documentation and practices remain current and effective.

Maintain oversight of risk management, child safety, workplace health and safety, incident management and emergency procedures.

Monitor regulatory updates and ensure relevant changes are communicated, implemented and embedded into everyday practice.

Support the Educational Leader with curriculum oversight, educational quality, observations, evaluations and programming.

Maintain a visible presence throughout the service, spending meaningful time with children and educators while primarily operating in an off-the-floor leadership capacity.

Relationships and Community

Build and maintain strong relationships with children, families, educators, the owners and the wider community.

Preserve the centre’s welcoming, family-oriented culture and established local reputation.

Provide regular updates to the owners on occupancy, staffing, compliance, financial performance, risks and operational priorities.

Identify opportunities to improve service delivery, develop the team and support sustainable business growth.

What You’ll Need

A Diploma or Degree in Early Childhood Education, or an equivalent ACECQA-approved qualification. An Early Childhood Teacher qualification is welcome, although demonstrated leadership capability and operational experience are the key priorities.

A minimum of two to three years’ experience as a Centre Director, or current experience as an Assistant Director ready to step into a broader leadership role.

Experience working within a privately owned, standalone early learning service is highly regarded. A background combining structured organisational experience with owner-operated service experience would be particularly valuable.