Centre Manager

Denham Early Learning; Rockhampton Regional; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Leadership support

Competitive salary

Room to make an impact

Professional growth

Quality commitment

Job summary

Denham Early Learning in Australia is seeking an experienced Centre Manager to lead the service with confidence, accountability and a clear vision for quality. You will drive strong operational leadership, build a capable team and create an environment where children thrive and families have confidence in the care provided.

You will oversee day-to-day performance, rostering, curriculum delivery and safeguarding, collaborating with the Educational Leader to lift learning outcomes and maintain

Qualifications

• Diploma or Bachelor qualification in Early Childhood Education and Care, or an ACECQA-approved equivalent.
• Demonstrated experience leading an early childhood education and care service, ideally as Centre Manager or Nominated Supervisor.
• Strong knowledge of the National Quality Framework and National Quality Standards.
• Experience managing staffing, performance, compliance and operational priorities.
• Ability to make sound decisions, take initiative and handle challenging situations.
• Strong communication and relationship-building with educators, families and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Service leadership: own day-to-day performance, set clear priorities and ensure operational expectations are met.
• People management: coach and develop educators; build a proud, capable team.
• Quality and regulatory oversight: maintain compliance and drive continuous improvement.
• Operational management: oversee rostering, resource allocation and occupancy.
• Educational leadership: collaborate with Educational Leader to strengthen curriculum and learning outcomes.
• Family and community engagement: build trusted relationships with families and stakeholders.
• Child safety and safeguarding: promote a proactive child-safe culture.

Skills

Leadership

People management

Educational leadership

Communication skills

Education

Diploma/Bachelor ECEC

Job description

Lead a service. Build a strong team. Create lasting impact.

Are you ready to take ownership of a service, bring out the best in your team and make a meaningful impact on the early learning experience?

Denham Early Learning is seeking an experienced and driven Centre Manager to lead the service with confidence, accountability and a clear vision for quality.

We are looking for someone who can bring strong operational leadership, build a capable and engaged team, and create an environment where children thrive, educators feel supported and families have confidence in the care and education provided.

This is an opportunity to take the lead, influence how the service operates and make a genuine contribution to its ongoing growth and success.

As Centre Manager, you will have overall responsibility for the effective leadership and management of the service. You will set expectations, guide your team and ensure operational decisions support quality outcomes.

Your responsibilities will include:

Service leadership: Take ownership of the service's day-to-day performance, establishing clear priorities and ensuring operational expectations are consistently met.

People management: Lead, coach and develop educators, address performance matters constructively and build a team that takes pride in its work.

Quality and regulatory oversight: Maintain strong compliance practices and lead the service towards continuous improvement under the National Quality Framework.

Operational management: Oversee workforce planning, rostering, resource allocation and occupancy to support a sustainable and well-managed service.

Educational leadership: Work collaboratively with the Educational Leader to strengthen curriculum delivery, teaching practices and children's learning outcomes.

Family and community engagement: Establish trusted relationships with families and build a positive reputation for the service within the local community.

Child safety and wellbeing: Embed a proactive child-safe culture and ensure the highest standards of care, supervision and safeguarding.

You are a hands-on leader who understands that successful service management requires more than overseeing daily operations. You know how to set direction, manage competing priorities, develop people and follow through on commitments.

You will bring:

Diploma or Bachelor qualification in Early Childhood Education and Care, or an equivalent ACECQA-approved qualification.

Demonstrated experience leading an early childhood education and care service, ideally as a Centre Manager or Nominated Supervisor.

Strong working knowledge of the National Quality Framework, National Quality Standards and relevant legislation.

Confidence managing staffing, performance, compliance and operational priorities.

The ability to make sound decisions, take initiative and manage challenging situations.

Strong communication skills and the ability to build productive relationships with educators, families and stakeholders.

A commitment to professional accountability, child safety and continuous improvement.

You'll also hold the relevant checks and certifications required for the role, including a current Working with Children Check, First Aid, CPR, Anaphylaxis and Asthma Management, and Child Protection training.

• Take ownership of the service's day-to-day performance, establishing clear priorities and ensuring operational expectations are consistently met.
• Lead, coach and develop educators, address performance matters constructively and build a team that takes pride in its work.
• Maintain strong compliance practices and lead the service towards continuous improvement under the National Quality Framework.
• Oversee workforce planning, rostering, resource allocation and occupancy to support a sustainable and well-managed service.
• Work collaboratively with the Educational Leader to strengthen curriculum delivery, teaching practices and children's learning outcomes.
• Establish trusted relationships with families and build a positive reputation for the service within the local community.
• Embed a proactive child-safe culture and ensure the highest standards of care, supervision and safeguarding.

• Diploma or Bachelor qualification in Early Childhood Education and Care, or an equivalent ACECQA-approved qualification.
• Demonstrated experience leading an early childhood education and care service, ideally as a Centre Manager or Nominated Supervisor.
• Strong working knowledge of the National Quality Framework, National Quality Standards and relevant legislation.
• Confidence managing staffing, performance, compliance and operational priorities.
• The ability to make sound decisions, take initiative and manage challenging situations.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to build productive relationships with educators, families and stakeholders.
• A commitment to professional accountability, child safety and continuous improvement.

Why join Denham Early Learning?

We recognise that effective leadership requires the right environment, resources and organisational support.

At Denham Early Learning, you can expect:

• Leadership support: Access to organisational guidance and support to help you manage priorities and lead your service effectively.
• Competitive salary: A remuneration package that reflects your experience and leadership capabilities.
• Room to make an impact: The opportunity to influence service practices, strengthen team performance and drive meaningful improvements.
• Professional growth: Opportunities to expand your leadership experience and develop your career within early childhood education.
• A shared commitment to quality: Be part of an organisation that values strong leadership, child safety and high-quality education and care.

Work Rights: We welcome applicants who are Australian citizens or hold valid working rights in Australia. Please note that employer sponsorship is not available for this role.

Child Safety Commitment

Children's safety, wellbeing, and voices are our highest priority. Denham Early Learning has zero tolerance for abuse or neglect and responds promptly to all concerns in line with legal and regulatory requirements. We are committed to a culturally safe, inclusive environment that respects and values Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. Our practices actively support and strengthen cultural safety for children, families, and communities. All team members are responsible for upholding child safety and contributing to a safe, respectful, and welcoming environment.