Expression of Interest | Centre Director & Senior Centre Director

Little Zak's Academy; Sydney; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Induction program

Birthday leave

Wellbeing day

Wellness allowance

Referral bonus

Study allowance

Employee assistance program

Job summary

Little Zak's Academy is seeking experienced leaders for Centre Director and Senior Centre Director roles in Australia. You will drive day-to-day and strategic outcomes, shaping culture and service quality across multiple teams.

You will lead occupancy growth, ensure regulatory compliance, mentor educators, and collaborate with families and communities to deliver exceptional early childhood care and education.

Qualifications

• ACECQA-approved Diploma or Early Childhood Teaching Degree.
• Experience as Centre Director or Nominated Supervisor.
• Strong leadership and people management skills.
• Knowledge of EYLF, NQS and regulatory requirements.
• Ability to drive occupancy and service outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Lead and inspire high-performing teams.
• Build a strong, positive centre culture.
• Coach and develop educators and leadership teams.
• Drive excellence across EYLF, NQS and quality initiatives.
• Build relationships with families and local communities.
• Manage occupancy, compliance, financial performance and centre operations.
• Create succession plans and develop future leaders.

Skills

Leadership

People management

Budgeting

Occupancy management

Stakeholder management

EYLF/NQS knowledge

Education

Diploma or Early Childhood Teaching Degree

Job description

Expression of Interest | Centre Director & Senior Centre Director

Competitive salary + generous benefits + WRP

Little Zak's Academyis privately owned and family run. Our aim is to provide early childhood care and education in a safe, welcoming, adopting and nurturing environment. Our staff are dedicated professionals who value the importance of maintaining an optimum level of care and education for all children. We select our staff based on knowledge and values, vision for children and learning, and commitment to families.

This is not just another leadership role As Little Zak's Academy continues to grow, we are building a Leadership Talent Pool for experienced Centre Directors and Senior Centre Directors who are interested in future leadership opportunities across our expanding network.

Whether you are currently leading a high-performing service or overseeing multiple teams and looking for your next challenge, we would love to connect with you.

This is an opportunity to join a business that genuinely invests in its people, values strong leadership, and supports long-term career growth.

You will be supported from day one with a structured 4-week induction, along with ongoing guidance from an experienced leadership team.

What leadership looks like at Little Zak's Academy Our leaders are responsible for more than the day-to-day operation of a service. They create positive cultures, develop future leaders, and drive quality outcomes for children, families and teams.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading and inspiring high-performing teams
• Building a strong, positive and engaged centre culture
• Coaching and developing educators, educational leaders and leadership teams
• Driving excellence across EYLF, NQS and quality improvement initiatives
• Building strong relationships with families and local communities
• Managing occupancy, compliance, financial performance and centre operations
• Creating succession plans and developing future leaders

You will also have real autonomy in how you run your centre, including ownership of your budget and the ability to make decisions that support your team, families and service outcomes.

Senior Centre Directors may also have opportunities to mentor other leaders, contribute to operational projects and support the broader growth of the organisation.

Why Join Us?

• Competitive salary package well above award, based on qualifications and experience
• We are proud to be part of the Australian Government’s Worker Retention Payment program. Eligible team members at Little Zak's Academy now receive an additional 15% on top of award rates. The Australian Government announced that the Worker Retention Payment program would be extended until 30 June 2028, continuing to support wage increases for eligible early childhood educators.Little Zak's Academy was one of the first approved providers nationally to participate in this initiative, ensuring our team could access these additional benefits from the commencement of the program.
• 4-week structured inductionwith established systems, strong foundations and supportive leadership
• Paid birthday leave and an additional wellbeing dayeach year for Centre Director (after 12 months)
• Health and wellness allowance reimbursing up to$50 per month(gym, pool, wellness memberships)
• $1,000 employee referral bonusfor each successful referral
• Study allowancefor your Early Childhood Teaching degree (T&Cs apply)
• Employee Assistance Program viaSonder, offering unlimited confidential counselling and wellbeing support
• Strong promote-from-within culturewith long-term career opportunities

About You

• ACECQA-approved Diploma or Early Childhood Teaching Degree
• Previous experience as a Centre Director or Nominated Supervisor is advantageous
• Comfortable taking on the responsibilities ofNominated Supervisor
• Strong leadership and people management skills
• Sound understanding ofEYLF, NQS, National Regulations, and compliance requirements
• Demonstrated ability todrive occupancy, team performance, and service outcomes
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills

Little Zak's Child Safety Commitment

Little Zak's Academy is a Child Safe Organisation. We prioritise the safety, wellbeing, and rights of all children and maintain a strong culture of child safety across our services. As part of our commitment, we have a rigorous recruitment and screening process in place, including comprehensive reference checks, Police checks and child-safe employment checks. By applying for a role with Little Zak's Academy, you acknowledge and agree to undergo all required child safety checks as part of our employment process.

Education, Training & Professional Development 1,001-5,000 employees

Early childhood is a significant period of our life during which the greatest brain development and growth occurs. It is a time when experiences influence attitudes, dispositions and learning. At Little Zak’s Academy our aim is to provide excellence in early childhood care and education in a safe, welcoming, adopting and nurturing environment.

Little Zak’s Academy is privately owned and family run, with a strong commitment to participative, consultative and collaborative management. Our philosophy has been developed in consultation with staff and families, and we welcome visits, ideas and suggestions.

Early childhood is a significant period of our life during which the greatest brain development and growth occurs. It is a time when experiences influence attitudes, dispositions and learning. At Little Zak’s Academy our aim is to provide excellence in early childhood care and education in a safe, welcoming, adopting and nurturing environment.

Little Zak’s Academy is privately owned and family run, with a strong commitment to participative, consultative and collaborative management. Our philosophy has been developed in consultation with staff and families, and we welcome visits, ideas and suggestions.

Nominated Supervisor - Education and Care Services