Educational Leader

Journey Early Learning Group; Bairnsdale; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Above Award remuneration

Educational Leader allowance

15 hours dedicated program planning

1 hour non-contact time per room

Journey Childcare Discount

Journey Academy PD

4C’s Educational Leader network

Leadership opportunities

Centre leadership team support

Specialist safeguarding and pedagogic"

Job summary

Journey Early Learning Lucknow seeks an Educational Leader to shape the pedagogical culture of our new 88‑place, five‑room centre opening in November 2026. You’ll lead educational practice from day one, supported by a Centre Leadership Team and Journey’s specialist network, with dedicated non-contact time and professional development.

You’ll mentor educators, lead curriculum planning and reflection, and connect EYLF, NQS and contemporary research to daily practice, while building strong

Qualifications

• Diploma or Bachelor in Early Childhood Education and Care, or ACECQA-approved equivalent.
• Experience as Educational Leader, Lead Educator or in a coaching/mentoring role.
• Strong knowledge of the EYLF, NQS and National Quality Standard.
• Ability to coach educators at different stages of their professional development.
• Commitment to child safety and safeguarding.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.

Responsibilities

• Mentor and coach educators across the centre.
• Lead curriculum planning, reflection and continuous improvement.
• Support high-quality documentation and assessment of children’s learning.
• Build educator confidence and consistency in practice.
• Partner with Centre Manager and ECTs to strengthen educational outcomes.
• Contribute to the centre’s Quality Improvement Plan.
• Connect contemporary research, EYLF and NQS with everyday practice.
• Lead professional conversations that challenge, support and inspire.
• Build meaningful relationships with children, families and the local community.

Skills

Mentoring

Coaching

Curriculum development

Communication

Relationship-building

Education

Diploma or Bachelor in ECEC

Job description

This is your opportunity to shape educational practice from the very beginning.

As the Educational Leader at Journey Early Learning Lucknow, you’ll help establish the pedagogical culture of our new centre, with genuine time away from ratio responsibilities to focus on the work you’re there to lead.

And while Lucknow is new, you won’t be building it alone.

• Above Award remuneration + applicable ECEC Worker Retention Payment
• Educational Leader allowance
• 15 hours dedicated program planning time off the floor each week
• An additional 1 hour of non-contact time for every room you support
• Journey Childcare Discount, subject to eligibility and applicable terms
• Dedicated professional development through Journey Academy
• Access to Journey’s 4C’s Educational Leader network
• Genuine leadership and career progression opportunities
• A Centre Manager and Centre Leadership Team working alongside you
• Direct support from Journey’s pedagogical, quality and safeguarding specialists

Lead education with the time to actually lead it.

Journey Early Learning Lucknow is a brand-new 88-place, five-room centre opening in November 2026.

As part of the founding Centre Leadership Team, you’ll have the opportunity to establish how educational practice, reflection and professional conversations happen from day one.

You’ll work alongside educators to build their confidence, strengthen practice and create meaningful learning experiences that respond to the children, families and community around us.

This isn’t a role where Educational Leadership is something you fit around everything else.

We create the time for you to lead it.

Lead practice. Build capability.

As Educational Leader, you’ll:

• Mentor and coach educators across the centre
• Lead curriculum planning, reflection and continuous improvement
• Support high-quality documentation and assessment of children’s learning
• Build educator confidence and consistency in practice
• Partner with your Centre Manager and ECTs to strengthen educational outcomes
• Contribute to the centre’s Quality Improvement Plan
• Connect contemporary research, the EYLF and NQS with everyday practice
• Lead professional conversations that challenge, support and inspire
• Build meaningful relationships with children, families and the local community

You won’t lead alone.

You’ll be part of Lucknow’s Centre Leadership Team and connected to Journey’s broader ecosystem of specialist support.

Alongside your Centre Manager and Centre Quality Manager, you’ll have direct connection with Journey’s specialists across areas including:

• Pedagogical Strategy
• National Safeguarding
• Capability and Culture
• Journey Academy and Learning Development

You’ll also be connected with Educational Leaders across Journey through our 4C’s network, creating opportunities to share ideas, challenge practice and learn alongside other leaders.

The focus is partnership - giving you the people, time and expertise around you to focus on leading educational practice.

What you’ll bring

You will ideally hold:

• A Diploma or Bachelor qualification in Early Childhood Education and Care, or an ACECQA-approved equivalent
• Experience as an Educational Leader, Lead Educator or in a role involving coaching and mentoring educators
• Strong knowledge of the EYLF, National Quality Framework and National Quality Standard
• Confidence leading reflective practice and curriculum development
• The ability to coach educators at different stages of their professional development
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills
• Curiosity and a genuine interest in contemporary early childhood practice
• The ability to influence practice through collaboration rather than direction alone
• A genuine commitment to child safety and safeguarding

Considering a move to East Gippsland?

You don’t need to already live in Lucknow or Bairnsdale to start a conversation with us.

We welcome experienced early childhood professionals from Melbourne, regional Victoria and interstate who may be considering a move to East Gippsland.

Where applicable, we’re happy to discuss what support may be available for the right candidate.

Why Journey?

At Journey, Educational Leaders are given the opportunity to genuinely influence practice.

Through dedicated non-contact time, Journey Academy, our 4C’s Educational Leader network and the broader specialist ecosystem around our centres, you’ll have access to the people, development and professional space you need to grow your impact.

For Lucknow, you’ll also get something that doesn’t come along often:

the opportunity to help establish the educational culture of a new centre from day one.

Ready to lead education differently?

If you’re looking for an Educational Leader role where you have the time, influence and support to genuinely lead practice, we’d love to hear from you.

Child safety at Journey

Journey Early Learning is committed to being a Child Safe Organisation and to creating environments where every child is safe, supported, respected and heard.

As a Victorian Early Childhood Employer, we expect all employees and leaders to actively uphold the Victorian Child Safe Standards, applicable child protection obligations and Journey’s safeguarding requirements.

As an Educational Leader, you’ll play an important role in embedding child safe practice across the centre, supporting educators to understand their responsibilities and ensuring children’s rights, safety and wellbeing remain central to educational decision-making.

Journey’s See, Act, Tell safeguarding framework supports our teams to recognise concerns, respond appropriately and speak up when something does not feel right.

All appointments are subject to Journey’s pre-employment screening and child safety requirements, including the relevant Working with Children Check and any other checks, qualifications or clearances required for the role.

Journey Early Learning is a Child Safe Organisation and is committed to the safety, wellbeing and protection of all children in our care.