Director of Early Learning

Lutheran Education Australia Ltd; Victor Harbor; Hybrid; AUD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Encounter Lutheran College in Victor Harbor, SA, invites applications for a Director of Early Learning to provide strategic and operational leadership of the Early Learning Centre. The role focuses on inspiring exceptional outcomes for children, families and educators within a welcoming Christian community.

The position is a full-time ongoing role commencing from the 2027 school year, with a strong emphasis on professional growth, collaboration, and innovative pedagogy aligned with EYLF and IB

Qualifications

• Leadership and team mentoring skills.
• Strategic and operational leadership in early education.
• Familiarity with EYLF and IB PYP frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Lead and grow the Early Learning Centre, fostering high-quality learning and wellbeing for children, families and educators.
• Mentor staff, build capability, and support professional growth across the service.
• Ensure program delivery aligns with Lutheran values and educational vision, with emphasis on best-practice pedagogy.

Job description

Contract Type: Permanent/Ongoing Position Full Time

Applications Close: 28 October 2026

Lead our Early Learning Centre and inspire exceptional outcomes for children, families and educators!

Encounter Lutheran College is a vibrant Early Learning to Year 12 community located in the heart of Victor Harbor on the beautiful Fleurieu Peninsula.

• Welcoming and inclusive Christian community
• Forward-thinking approach to teaching and learning
• Stunning coastal location that supports wellbeing and lifestyle
• Culture of professional growth and shared purpose

If you’re ready to inspire, connect, and grow with us, we’d love to hear from you.

Current Opportunity Available:

We are seeking an exceptional and experienced Director of Early Leaning to lead our Early Learning Centre and continue building a culture of innovation, collaboration, and educational excellence.

The Director of Early Learning will provide strategic and operational leadership across the service, fostering strong relationships with children, families and educators. You will champion best-practice pedagogy, mentor and develop staff, and ensure the delivery of outstanding learning experiences aligned with our values and educational vision.

Our purpose-built, 'Reggio Emilia' inspired Early Learning Centre provides a rich environment where children are empowered to explore, inquire, create, and develop a lifelong love of learning. Guided by the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) and informed by the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP), our approach places children at the centre of learning and supports them to become confident, capable, and curious learners.

This is an ongoing full-time (1.0FTE) position commencing at the beginning of the 2027 school year and includes six weeks of annual leave.

Applications close: 9:00am Wednesday 28 October 2026

Interested candidates are required to follow the Application Guidelines in the Candidate Information Pack.

Affiliation: Lutheran
Teaching Level: Combined
Gender: Coed

810 Students
67 TeachingStaff
45 Non-Teaching Staff

Single School

Offers IB

Offers VET

Encounter Lutheran College is located in Victor Harbor, 80 km south of Adelaide on the beautiful South Coast. Encounter Lutheran College provides excellence in education in a caring Christian environment. The College was established in 2001 and has been steadily increasing in size each year.We offer a dynamic and flourishing Early Learning to Year 12 education for the families of the South Coast. Our College community includes in excess of 800 students and 120 staff.