Project Manager - Greenfields

Guardian Childcare & Education; Sydney; On-site; AUD 140,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Guardian Childcare & Education is seeking a Greenfields Project Manager to lead the successful launch of new childcare centres and integrate acquisitions into a growing national network. You will oversee planning, pre-launch, opening, and handover, coordinating cross-functional teams across operations, people and culture, marketing, property, quality, compliance, and commercial functions.

The role is highly visible, demanding proactive stakeholder management and the ability to drive outcomes

Qualifications

• Minimum proven project management experience across multisite environments.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Excellent planning, organisation and problem-solving abilities.
• Experience with acquisitions or new site launches is highly regarded.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end launches of new centres.
• Oversee integration of acquired centres into the network.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams across operations, property, marketing, recruitment, quality, and commercial.
• Develop and refine launch playbooks and tools.
• Support centre leadership through launch and hypercare periods.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder management

Multi-site operations

Cross-functional leadership

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field

Job description

• You can be based out of NSW, ACT, QLD, SA or VIC for this role

• You can be based out of NSW, ACT, QLD, SA or VIC for this role

Lead the launch of new centres. Drive successful acquisitions. Shape high-performing teams.

We are seeking an experienced Greenfields Project Manager to lead the successful launch of new childcare centres and the integration of acquired centres into a growing national network.

This is a highly visible role that brings together multiple stakeholders across operations, people and culture, marketing, property, quality, compliance, and commercial teams to ensure centres are set up for long-term success.

About the Role As Project Manager - Greenfields, you will oversee multiple projects simultaneously, managing activities from planning and pre-launch through to opening, integration, and handover.

You will be responsible for coordinating cross-functional teams, driving project outcomes, managing risks, and ensuring centres are operationally ready to deliver exceptional experiences for children, families, and team members from day one.

Alongside project delivery, you will contribute to the ongoing development of launch frameworks, playbooks, and improvement initiatives that support future growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end launch of new childcare centres, ensuring projects are delivered on time and ready for operation.
• Manage the integration of acquired centres, creating a smooth and well-organised transition for all stakeholders.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams across operations, property, marketing, recruitment, quality, compliance, and commercial functions.
• Support operational due diligence activities for acquisition projects.
• Develop and implement launch and integration plans that drive strong early performance.
• Monitor project timelines, milestones, risks, and dependencies.
• Build positive relationships with internal stakeholders, external partners, and vendors.
• Develop and refine launch playbooks, tools, and best-practice processes.
• Support centre leadership teams through launch and hypercare periods.
• Drive accountability and maintain momentum across multiple concurrent projects.

About You

You are a proactive and outcomes-focused project professional who thrives in fast-paced environments and enjoys bringing people together to achieve shared goals.

You Will Bring

• Proven project management experience in multi-site, operational, retail, healthcare, education, childcare, property, or service-based environments.
• Exceptional stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Strong planning, organisational, and problem-solving abilities.
• Experience managing multiple projects simultaneously.
• Confidence working through ambiguity and adapting to changing priorities.
• A collaborative leadership style with the ability to influence and drive results.
• Experience in childcare, centre operations, acquisitions, or new site launches will be highly regarded but is not essential.

Success in this Role You will be recognised for:

• Delivering new centre openings on schedule.
• Successfully integrating acquired centres into the network.
• Building capability and confidence within centre leadership teams.
• Driving strong operational performance during launch and hypercare phases.
• Creating scalable tools, playbooks, and processes that support future growth.

What We're Looking For

• Outcome focused and commercially minded.
• Resilient, adaptable, and solutions driven.
• Comfortable working at pace and making decisions with incomplete information.
• Strong structured thinker with excellent project planning capability.
• Able to influence, challenge, and hold stakeholders accountable when required.
• Committed to building positive relationships and high-performing teams.

If you are a driven project leader who enjoys managing complex projects, building strong stakeholder relationships, and delivering successful outcomes, we'd love to hear from you.

Guardian Childcare & Education values diversity in the workplace and is an equal opportunity employer. Diverse cultures, backgrounds and experiences strengthen our teams and help us grow. We are committed to providing a workplace where every person is valued, respected, and supported to progress.

We are also deeply committed to Reconciliation and creating an environment where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People feel a strong sense of belonging and connection.

At Guardian Childcare & Education, children's safety and wellbeing are our top priority. We have zero tolerance for any form of abuse or harm. We rigorously screen all potential team members, requiring a 10-year verifiable resume, 5 years of direct manager references, and other security checks to ensure they meet our high standards.

• for those who have not been in employment that long, these expectations will be adjusted.