General Manager

CBC Staff Selection; Cairns Regional; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

CBC Staff Selection presents an outstanding opportunity for an experienced General Manager to lead a large early learning and care operation in Far North Queensland. This strategic executive role requires a values-aligned, high-impact leader with a track record in service quality, governance, and financial stewardship.

You will oversee multiple centres, drive growth and sustainability, and build strong partnerships with government and community stakeholders while ensuring compliance and

Qualifications

• Proven senior leadership experience in early childhood services.
• Strong financial management and governance capabilities.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and ensuring regulatory compliance.

Responsibilities

• Provide visionary leadership and strategic execution for early learning and care services.
• Oversee daily operations, regulatory compliance, risk management and high-quality service delivery.
• Lead growth, financial planning, and sustainability initiatives.
• Build stakeholder relationships across government, education, community and regulators.
• Promote safeguarding and continuous improvement across all centres.
• Develop policy, reporting systems and quality assurance processes.
• Provide financial leadership including P&L oversight and asset management.

Skills

Senior leadership

Strategic planning

Financial acumen

Stakeholder management

Governance

Regulatory knowledge

Change management

WH&S knowledge

Blue Card compliance

Education

Tertiary qualifications in ECEC or Business

Job description

Our Client:

Our client is a respected, purpose‑driven not‑for‑profit organisation delivering essential services that strengthen individuals, families and communities across Far North Queensland. With a strong local presence and a genuine commitment to care, inclusion and quality, the organisation plays a vital role in supporting children, families and communities through high‑quality early learning and community services. Guided by clear values and strong governance, they offer senior leaders the opportunity to contribute to meaningful, long‑term impact across the region.

The Opportunity:

A unique opportunity has arisen for an experienced and strategic General Manager to join the executive leadership team and lead a large and complex early learning and care operation. This role is ideal for a values‑aligned leader who brings a blend of operational expertise, financial acumen, and a passion for quality early childhood education.

Your Key Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• Provide visionary leadership and strategic execution for early learning and care services aligned with organisational objectives and sector best practice.
• Oversee daily operations, ensuring regulatory compliance, risk mitigation and high‑quality service delivery across multiple early learning centres.
• Lead business development initiatives including financial planning, growth strategy, market positioning and sustainability.
• Build and maintain strong stakeholder relationships across government, education, community, and regulatory bodies.
• Drive safeguarding practices, embedding a culture of child safety, change management and continuous improvement across all centres.
• Develop and implement robust systems for policy development, compliance monitoring, reporting and quality assurance.
• Provide financial leadership including P&L oversight, contract and asset management, funding compliance, and business case development.

Your Skills & Experience:

• Tertiary qualifications in Early Childhood Education, Business, or related field.
• Demonstrated experience in a senior executive or operational leadership role in the early childhood education sector.
• Deep understanding of the Early Learning and OSHC regulatory and funding environment.
• Proven experience leading multidisciplinary teams and implementing high‑performance, people‑centred leadership.
• Demonstrated capacity to lead strategic initiatives, growth projects and asset development.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including change management.
• Strong understanding of WHS legislation, workforce planning and organisational culture development.
• A valid Blue Card (Working with Children Check), National Police Certificate and open driver’s licence.

The Offer:

This is a rare opportunity to join a purpose‑driven organisation in a strategic leadership role where your impact will be felt across the region. You’ll be supported by a collaborative executive team, offered a competitive above‑award salary, and benefit from flexible working arrangements and opportunities for professional development. Lead with purpose in a role that combines operational leadership, service growth, and sector innovation.

To ensure compliance with Australian employment law, this role is only open to candidates who possess either the right to work in Australia, permanent residency, citizenship status or visa status.