Centre Operations Manager

Maraylya Early Learning Centre; Sydney; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Maralya Early Learning Centre in a beautiful rural setting near Sydney's North West seeks an experienced Centre Operations Manager to oversee day-to-day operations, staffing, budgets and governance. You will lead the administrative workforce, manage enrolments and occupancy, and work closely with the educational leadership team to drive performance.

The role requires strong operational capability, WHS oversight and hands-on decision-making, with a focus on delivering high-quality care and

Qualifications

• At least 10 years' relevant professional experience, including substantial operational or service management experience.
• Proven ability to manage complex rosters, staffing requirements and labour budgets.
• Strong commercial judgement, organisational skills and people leadership.
• Experience overseeing WHS, facilities and operational compliance.
• A practical, hands-on approach and confidence making decisions.
• Experience in early childhood education is highly desirable, although candidates with strong operational management experience in aged care or related service industries will also be considered.
• Childcare qualifications are highly regarded but not essential.

Responsibilities

• Managing staff rosters, daily allocations, workforce planning and labour costs.
• Monitoring operational budgets, enrolments, occupancy and business performance.
• Overseeing WHS, facilities, maintenance, purchasing and administration.
• Identifying opportunities to improve operational efficiency and financial performance.
• Providing confident, practical leadership and hands-on support across the centre.
• Working collaboratively with the established educational leadership team.

Skills

Staff rostering

Workforce planning

Labour budgeting

Budget monitoring

Leadership

People management

Education

Childcare qualifications

Job description

Reporting directly to the Owner/Centre Director, you will be responsible for managing the efficient day-to-day operation of the centre. You will manage staff rosters, daily allocations, workforce planning and labour costs. You will monitor operational budgets, enrolments, occupancy and business performance. You will oversee WHS, facilities, maintenance, purchasing and administration. You will identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency and financial performance, provide confident, practical leadership and hands-on support across the centre, and work collaboratively with the established educational leadership team.

Key responsibilities

• Managing staff rosters, daily allocations, workforce planning and labour costs
• Monitoring operational budgets, enrolments, occupancy and business performance
• Overseeing WHS, facilities, maintenance, purchasing and administration
• Identifying opportunities to improve operational efficiency and financial performance
• Providing confident, practical leadership and hands-on support across the centre
• Working collaboratively with the established educational leadership team

About you

• At least 10 years' relevant professional experience, including substantial operational or service management experience
• Proven ability to manage complex rosters, staffing requirements and labour budgets
• Strong commercial judgement, organisational skills and people leadership
• Experience overseeing WHS, facilities and operational compliance
• A practical, hands-on approach and confidence making decisions
• Experience in early childhood education and care is highly desirable, although candidates with strong operational management experience in aged care or related service industries will also be considered
• Childcare qualifications are highly regarded but not essential

About us

• Maralya Early Learning Centre (MELC) is an established, independently owned 104-place early learning centre, proudly rated Exceeding the National Quality Standard (NQS). Located in a beautiful rural setting close to Sydney's growing North West, MELC offers a supportive and collaborative workplace with the flexibility and personal approach that comes from operating outside a large corporate structure.
• Independently owned, established centre rated Exceeding NQS
• Genuine leadership responsibility and decision-making autonomy
• Supportive team and collaborative working environment
• Beautiful rural location close to Sydney's North West
• Opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the centre's operations and performance