Centre Director / New Service Opening

Active Kids Early Learning Centre; Brisbane; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Brand-new service

On-site swim school collaboration

Leadership development

Job summary

Active Kids Early Learning Centre – Park Ridge invites an inspirational Centre Director to lead a brand-new, state-of-the-art 120-place service. You will shape culture, establish partnerships with families and the on-site swim school, and drive educational excellence from day one.

You will oversee centre management, compliance, programming, staffing, enrolments and family engagement, while developing your team and building a strong community.

Qualifications

• Experience leading an early learning service with a focus on quality outcomes.
• Strong knowledge of EYLF, NQS, and NQF and safeguarding best practices.
• Ability to build community partnerships and a positive team culture.

Responsibilities

• Oversee establishment, operation and ongoing success of brand-new 120-place service.
• Manage compliance, educational programming, staffing, enrolments and family engagement.
• Lead with purpose, mentor staff, and collaborate with the Senior Management Team.

Skills

Leadership

Child safety

Community building

Team development

Educational excellence

EYLF knowledge

Job description

Active Kids Early Learning Centre – Park Ridge QLD

Your Leadership. Our Vision. Together, We Build Extraordinary

Position: Centre Director

Are you an experienced, passionate, and visionary early childhood leader ready to take the next step in your career? Active Kids is excited to open the doors to our brand-new, state-of-the-art early learning service in Park Ridge, and we are looking for an exceptional Centre Director to lead this exciting new chapter.

This is a unique opportunity to take the reins of a brand-new, purpose-built service with capacity for 120 children, creating a positive team culture, establishing strong community connections, and setting the standard for high-quality education and care from day one.

At Active Kids, we’re more than just an early learning centre we’re a family. We believe great leadership shapes everything: the experiences children have each day, the confidence of our educators, the trust families place in us, and the culture that makes our service a wonderful place to belong.

If you are a confident, motivated leader who is passionate about educational excellence, team development, and building a thriving service from the ground up, this is your opportunity to make your mark.

About the Role

As Centre Director at Active Kids Park Ridge, you will lead the establishment, operation, and ongoing success of our brand-new, state-of-the-art 120-place early learning service.

Active Kids Park Ridge offers something truly special, with our brand-new, state-of-the- art early learning service operating alongside an on-site swim school. As Centre Director, you will work closely with the swim school team to build a strong, collaborative relationship between both services, creating opportunities for a connected experience for children and families.

You will have the exciting opportunity to shape the service’s culture, build and develop your team, establish meaningful partnerships with families, and create an environment where children feel safe, supported, and inspired to learn.

Working closely with the broader Active Kids leadership team, you will oversee all aspects of centre management, including operational performance, compliance, educational programming, staffing, enrolments, and family engagement.

We are looking for a hands-on, solutions-focused leader who can balance the demands of running a busy early learning service with a genuine passion for pedagogy, people, and quality outcomes.

This is more than a Centre Director role it is an opportunity to build something special from the very beginning.

What We’re Looking For

We are seeking an inspiring, values-driven Centre Director who understands that exceptional early childhood education is about more than delivering a service, it’s about building a community, creating belonging, and making a lasting difference in the lives of children and families.

Our ideal leader is passionate about creating a service of choice within the Park Ridge community, where families feel connected, educators feel valued, and children are safe, supported, and empowered to thrive.

We are looking for a Centre Director who:

• Leads with purpose and integrity, demonstrating professionalism, emotional intelligence, accountability, and a genuine passion for early childhood education.




• Puts child safety at the heart of everything, with strong child protection beliefs, an unwavering commitment to safeguarding, and the confidence to lead a culture where every child is heard, respected, and protected.




• Builds a community, not just a centre, creating meaningful relationships with children, families, educators, local schools, community organisations, and other local services.




• Strives to make Active Kids Park Ridge the service of choice, building a reputation for excellence, trust, genuine connection, and outstanding experiences for families.




• Creates a culture of belonging and inclusion, where every family feels welcomed, every child is valued, and every team member understands the important role they play.




• Inspires, mentors, and develops educators, building a confident, capable, and collaborative team that takes pride in its work and is committed to continuous improvement.




• Works collaboratively with the Senior Management Team, embracing guidance, shared decision-making, and professional support to strengthen leadership capability and achieve the best outcomes for the service.




• Values collaboration beyond the early learning environment, building a strong working relationship with our on-site swim school to create a connected, family-focused community and a distinctive offering for Park Ridge.




• Champions educational excellence, with a strong understanding of the EYLF, NQS, and NQF, and a commitment to meaningful learning experiences and continuous quality improvement.




• Builds trust through strong communication, developing authentic partnerships with families and maintaining open, respectful, and professional relationships.




• Leads with confidence and resilience, remaining solutions-focused, adaptable, and proactive while navigating the demands of a busy early learning service.




• Understands the importance of operational excellence, balancing compliance, financial sustainability, enrolment growth, and effective service management with a genuine focus on people.




• Leads by example, fostering a positive, accountable, and supportive workplace culture where professional growth, teamwork, and high standards are celebrated.

Above all, we are looking for a leader who shares our belief that when we put children first, support our people, and invest in our community, we create something truly special.

Why Join Active Kids?

At Active Kids, we believe our people are our greatest asset. We want our leaders to feel supported, valued, and empowered to make a genuine difference.

When you join our team, you can look forward to:

• The opportunity to lead a brand-new, state-of-the-art early learning service.




• A beautiful, purpose-built environment designed to support children's learning, development, and wellbeing.




• The opportunity to shape your own team culture and establish strong foundations from day one.




• A supportive and collaborative leadership team.




• Ongoing professional development, training, and leadership opportunities.




• A child-safe organisation where safety is never compromised.




• Staff discounts for fees.




• IFA Retention Grant.




• Wellness initiatives, including our Take 5 mental health program.




• Paid staff meetings and generous planning support.




• One-hour lunch breaks.




• Annual uniforms provided.




• Regular team recognition and social events.




• The opportunity to build meaningful relationships with families and become part of a growing local community.




• Yearly Director retreat, to thank you for all that you do each day.

Ready to Build Something Exceptional?

We are looking for more than someone to manage a centre. We are looking for a leader who is ready to inspire a team, shape a culture, champion quality, and create a service that children, families, and educators are proud to be part of.

If you are ready to bring your experience, passion, and leadership vision to a brand-new service, we would love to hear from you.

Join Active Kids Park Ridge and help us create something extraordinary from day one.