Growth Network Planning Lead

Goodstart Early Learning; Brisbane; On-site; AUD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Goodstart Early Learning is seeking a Network Planning Manager - Growth who will lead a team of analysts assessing new centre developments, acquisitions and investment opportunities across Australia. You will fuse financial modelling, market insights and commercial judgement to guide growth decisions that support Goodstart's mission.

Partnering with Property, Finance, Operations and Strategy teams, you will turn complex information into clear recommendations, oversee due diligence, and build

Qualifications

• Experience leading analyst teams and delivering actionable insights.
• Strong financial modelling and business case development.
• Ability to translate market insights into investment decisions.
• Experience with due diligence and stakeholder engagement.
• Strategic thinking and commercial mindset.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach and develop a team of analysts.
• Guide assessment of new centre developments and acquisitions.
• Oversee financial modelling, feasibility assessments and business cases.
• Coordinate due diligence across teams for acquisitions and development.
• Present evidence-based recommendations to senior leaders.

Skills

Leadership

Financial modelling

Market insights

Commercial judgement

Team development

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance, Economics or Business

Tools

Excel

Power BI

SQL

Job description

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At Goodstart, we’re a not-for-profit organisation working to give every child the best possible start in life.

As our Network Planning Manager – Growth, you’ll lead a team of analysts assessing new centre developments, acquisitions and investment opportunities across Australia. You’ll bring together financial analysis, market insights and commercial judgement to guide decisions that support Goodstart’s growth and purpose.

This role offers the opportunity to combine your people leadership and investment expertise with meaningful work. Partnering with Property, Finance, Operations and Strategy teams, you’ll turn complex information into clear recommendations and build your team’s capability along the way.

Your Impact:

• Lead, coach and develop a team of analysts, setting clear priorities and supporting high-quality work.
• Guide the assessment of new centre developments and acquisitions, ensuring recommendations are commercially sound and aligned with Goodstart’s growth priorities.
• Oversee financial modelling, feasibility assessments and investment business cases, reviewing your team’s analysis before it reaches senior stakeholders.
• Coordinate due diligence across teams and provide commercial insights to support acquisition and development negotiations.
• Present clear, evidence-based recommendations that help senior leaders make informed investment decisions.
• Improve the frameworks, analytical methods and reporting that support growth assessments and broader network planning.

What Goodstart can offer you:

• Flexible work arrangements giving you choice about when and how work will be done in order to bettermanage your work and non-work needs
• Salary packaging benefits available through AccessPay (eligibility applies)
• Access to discounted childcare (up to 15%)
• Fitness Passport - access to gyms and pools for you and your family at a heavily discounted price
• Discounted health care and access to employee wellbeing program with BUPA
• Exclusive discounts on travel, gym memberships, Apple and Dell products, and more.
• Free annual flu shot (optional)
• Option to purchase extra leave for even greater work life balance
• First Nations Support and Cultural Leave
• Work for a company that has an aspiration to be globally recognised for early years practice and learning outcomes
• Gain significant investment in your growth and development with support, tools, training and experiences that will truly enhance the progress and outcomes for children in their earliest years.

You’ll bring to the table:

• Tertiary qualifications in Property, Finance, Economics, Commerce, Data Analytics or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated experience in a formal people leadership role, including managing performance, coaching and developing team capability.
• Experience in property acquisitions, investment analysis, corporate development, commercial advisory or a related field.
• Strong financial modelling, feasibility analysis, due diligence and business case development skills.
• Experience shaping or implementing strategic frameworks or recommendations at a national or organisation-wide level.
• Sound commercial judgement, confidence working independently and the ability to influence senior stakeholders and manage competing priorities.
• Experience using GIS or location intelligence tools would be an advantage.
• Flexibility to undertake domestic travel as required.
• Current QLD Working with Children Check
• Willing to obtain a Certificate of Completion for the National Child Safety Foundation Training, completed via Geccko platform

How to apply

Click ‘Apply Now’ and submit your application.
We review applications as they are submitted. We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible for your best chance to progress to the next stage of the process.

If you are a placement agency or external recruiter, please refrain from submitting resumes to Goodstart unless you have a signed staffing agency agreement with us. Goodstart will not be responsible for or pay any placement fees for candidates submitted by agencies that are not approved suppliers. Any resumes received from agencies or external recruiters without an agreement will be reviewed by Goodstart and may be shared with our internal recruiting team for their reference.

Supporting our people and protecting our children

We’re an equal opportunity employer that is proud of our inclusive and diverse work environment. We know that Goodstarters from diverse cultures, backgrounds and experiences strengthen our teams and help us grow. We’re also deeply committed to Reconciliation and creating an environment where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People feel a strong sense of belonging and connection.

Safety is our priority and we will take any action necessary to ensure that all children can feel safe and be safe, and are safeguarded from abuse, neglect and harm. As a Child Safe Organisation, all of our candidates must have or obtain a valid working with children check along with Certificate of Completion for the National Child Safety Foundation Training, completed via Geccko platform