Area Director | Lead Multi‑Site Early Years Growth

Busy Bees; United Kingdom; Remote; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company car

Annual bonus up to 25%

Family Leave

Hive benefits platform with discounts

Childcare discount 35%

33 days holiday + birthday

Job summary

Busy Bees is seeking an Area Director for the South West to lead a cluster of childcare centres, ensuring high-quality education and outstanding care. You will empower Centre Directors, drive performance and maintain safeguarding standards across your area.

You will partner with the National Support Centre, manage budgets, and lead change initiatives while delivering strong commercial results and exceptional family experiences.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in a senior management or leadership role within childcare.
• Experience leading teams across multiple sites.
• Strong commercial and operational planning capabilities.
• Proven ability to improve performance and manage budgets.

Responsibilities

• Champion safeguarding culture and child safety in all centres.
• Oversee educational programmes and quality standards across centres.
• Ensure regulatory compliance and readiness for inspections.
• Visit centres regularly to monitor standards and support improvement.
• Coach and develop Centre Directors to be effective leaders.
• Drive recruitment, workforce planning and professional development.
• Lead local marketing and community engagement to raise visibility.
• Set targets, monitor performance and manage centre budgets.

Skills

Senior leadership

Multi-site leadership

Early years childcare

Budget management

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Early years qualification

Job description

Busy Bees is seeking an Area Director for the South West to lead a cluster of childcare centres, ensuring high-quality education and outstanding care. You will empower Centre Directors, drive performance and maintain safeguarding standards across your area.

You will partner with the National Support Centre, manage budgets, and lead change initiatives while delivering strong commercial results and exceptional family experiences.