Head of Operations - Early Learning Services

Careers at Council; Sydney; On-site; AUD 123,000 - 143,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Car Allowance

9-day fortnight

Fitness Passport Program

Long service leave

Employee Rewards Program

Generous leave entitlements

Job summary

Georges River Council is seeking a Head of Operations, Early Learning Services to lead the day-to-day operations of five Early Learning Centres and drive excellence in education, care, compliance and service delivery.

You will provide strategic and operational oversight, mentor Centre Coordinators, champion continuous improvement, and ensure high-quality outcomes for children and families while aligning with National Quality Standards and regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

• Must have tertiary qualifications in Early Childhood Education and Care.
• Current Working With Children Check.
• Child Protection, First Aid, Asthma & Anaphylaxis Certificates.
• Current Class C NSW Driver’s Licence.
• Knowledge of Education and Care National Regulations 2011 and EYLF/NQF.

Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day operations of five Early Learning Centres.
• Provide strategic and operational oversight across Early Learning Services.
• Mentor Centre Coordinators and champion continuous improvement initiatives.
• Oversee compliance with the National Quality Framework and Regulations; maintain excellence against NQS and EYLF.
• Influence organisational outcomes through program development, stakeholder engagement, workforce planning, quality assurance and partnerships across centres.
• Act in the Manager Early Learning and Child Safety position when required.

Skills

Early childhood leadership

Team leadership

Communication skills

Program development

Staff supervision

Computer proficiency

Child safety knowledge

Education

Tertiary qualifications in Early Childhood Education and Care

Job description

Head of Operations - Early Learning Services

Lead the Future of Early Learning at Georges River Council

About The Role

Are you a passionate and experienced early childhood leader ready to make a lasting impact across multiple services? Georges River Council is seeking an inspiring Head of Operations, Early Learning Services to lead the day-to-day operations of our five Early Learning Centres and drive excellence in education, care, compliance and service delivery.

This is a unique leadership opportunity for a highly motivated professional to provide strategic and operational oversight across our Early Learning Services portfolio. Working closely with the Manager Early Learning and Child Safety, you will support and mentor Centre Coordinators, champion continuous improvement initiatives, and ensure our services consistently deliver high-quality educational outcomes for children and families.

As a key member of the leadership team, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future direction of Council's Early Learning Services. You will lead the implementation of strategic priorities, oversee compliance with the National Quality Framework, Education and Care Services National Law and Regulations, and support services in achieving and maintaining excellence against the National Quality Standard and Early Years Learning Framework.

The role also offers the opportunity to influence organisational outcomes through program development, stakeholder engagement, child safety leadership, workforce planning, quality assurance, community partnerships, and operational improvement across all centres. In addition, you will have the opportunity to act in the Manager Early Learning and Child Safety position when required.

What We Offer

• Permanent, Full-time role
• Competitive salary from $123,309.56 - $142,869.72 per annum plus 12% superannuation
• Car Allowance
• 9-day fortnight based on operational requirements
• Generous leave entitlements, including annual leave, personal leave, additional MyLeave, and enhanced parental leave
• Access to the Fitness Passport Program, offering discounted gym memberships for you and your family
• Long service leave after five years
• An Employee Rewards Program recognising your contributions and achievements

What We Are Looking For

• Tertiary qualifications in Early Childhood Education and Care
• Current Working With Children Check
• Child Protection, First Aid, Asthma & Anaphylaxis Certificates
• Current Class C NSW Driver’s Licence
• Understanding of and ability to work within the parameters of the Education and Care National Regulations 2011
• Knowledge of and ability to implement Early Years Learning Framework National Quality Framework
• Demonstrated experience working in Early Childhood settings
• Proven ability to lead a team in the provision of a quality service
• Demonstrated skills that will enable successful staff supervision
• Demonstrated effective oral and written communication skills
• Proven ability to organise and implement programs
• Proficient in computer skills
• Understanding of the child safe standards and its importance within an organisation

Who You Are

You are an authentic and inspiring leader who is passionate about delivering exceptional outcomes for children, families and the community. You thrive in a dynamic environment, enjoy supporting and developing others, and lead with a strong commitment to quality, safety and continuous improvement.

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• A collaborative and approachable leadership style, with the ability to build trust, influence others and foster a positive team culture
• A genuine passion for early childhood education and a commitment to providing high-quality learning and care environments
• Strong emotional intelligence, resilience and sound judgement when managing complex operational matters and competing priorities
• A proactive and solutions-focused mindset, with the confidence to identify opportunities, drive improvements and implement change
• Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills, enabling effective engagement with educators, families, community stakeholders and Council teams

For any further information on this role, please contact Justine Inglis, Manager Early Learning and Child Safety on 02 9330 6***.

Applications must be completed and submitted via our website. Closing Date: Monday, 28 September 2026 at 11:59 PM.

Offers of employment at Georges River Council are contingent upon satisfactory results of a thorough background check.

Georges River Council is a progressive, people-focused organisation with 600 dedicated staff delivering exceptional services to our diverse and vibrant community. Our vision is to be 'naturally connected to place, community, and Country'. We are committed to creating accessible green, and liveable spaces, nurturing creativity, protecting the natural environment, and building a thriving local economy.

We foster our values of Accountability, Professionalism, Unity and Honesty and take pride in promoting the image of Council in the community.

We are committed to building a workplace culture that values diversity and inclusion, and welcome applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, workers of all ages, people with disabilities, people who identify as LGBTQIA+ and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

At Georges River Council we are committed to putting children first and championing child safety within our community. We actively advocate for the rights of children and young people and will uphold our commitment as a child safe organisation.

Please note you must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or a permanent resident or have unlimited working rights (with no Visa restrictions) to apply for this position.