Area Manager

Partou UK; Sandbach; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Partou UK is seeking an exceptional Area Manager to lead 8-10 nurseries in the North West, inspiring excellence across the portfolio and turning strategy into ground‑level impact. You will coach Nursery Managers, drive occupancy and financial targets, and uphold EYFS and safeguarding standards, while building strong leadership teams and a culture of inclusion.

This role links national priorities with local delivery, travels between sites, and helps Partou UK's growth as the 4th largest childcare

Qualifications

• Proven multi-site leadership in early years or regulated care.
• Level 3 childcare qualification; Level 5+ preferred.
• Strong knowledge of EYFS, Ofsted, safeguarding.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop Nursery Managers to deliver consistently high standards.
• Drive occupancy, revenue, and cost targets across your portfolio using data.
• Ensure full compliance with EYFS, Ofsted, and safeguarding standards; manage risk.
• Build strong leadership teams and foster an inclusive, high-performing culture.
• Travel between nurseries to stay connected and drive improvement.

Skills

Multi-site leadership

Coaching & development

Data analysis

Commercial acumen

Driving licence

Willingness to travel

Education

Level 3 childcare qualification

Level 5+ preferred

Job description

We're now looking for an exceptional Area Manager - a confident, commercially aware leader who can inspire excellence across a portfolio of nurseries and play a pivotal role in our next phase of growth. As an Area Manager, you'll take ownership of 8-10 nurseries across our North West locations, ensuring they deliver outstanding childcare, strong commercial performance, and exceptional experiences for children, families, and teams. You'll be the critical link between strategy and delivery, translating regional priorities into meaningful, measurable impact on the ground.

Leadership & Operations

• Lead, coach, and develop Nursery Managers to deliver consistently high standards
• Drive accountability through clear expectations, performance reviews, and action planning
• Stay visible and connected through regular site visits and engagement

Quality & Safeguarding

• Champion exceptional early years practice and child outcomes
• Ensure full compliance with EYFS, Ofsted, and safeguarding standards
• Partner with quality and safeguarding specialists to raise standards and manage risk

Commercial Performance

• Deliver on occupancy, revenue, and cost targets across your portfolio
• Use data and insight to drive performance improvements
• Support local initiatives to enhance parent experience and retention

People & Culture

• Build strong, capable leadership teams
• Support talent development, succession planning, and retention
• Foster an inclusive, high-performing culture aligned with Partou's values

Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency and quality
• Lead and embed change initiatives across your nurseries
• Share best practice and encourage innovation

You're a visible, hands on leader who thrives in a fast paced, multi-site environment. You know how to balance quality, people, and commercial priorities, and you bring others with you on the journey.

What It Takes

• Proven multi-site leadership experience (early years or a regulated care environment)
• A Level 3 childcare qualification (Level 5+ preferred)
• Strong knowledge of EYFS, Ofsted, and safeguarding
• A track record of improving performance across multiple settings
• Commercial acumen-confident managing budgets, occupancy, and costs
• A coaching leadership style that builds confident, accountable teams
• Excellent data analysis and decision-making skills
• A full UK driving licence and willingness to travel

Ready to Make a Difference?

An exciting opportunity awaits you at Partou UK, a proud member of the global Partou group, where we are shaping the future of childcare. As the 4th largest childcare provider in England, and with over 1,000 nurseries worldwide, we care for more than 75,000 children with the support of our 11,000+ dedicated team members. Our commitment to quality and growth continues to strengthen our position as a leader in the UK's childcare sector., Partou is proud be a part of the National Partnership in Early Learning and Childcare (NPELC) - a group of 10 of the largest childcare providers across England. Together, we operate over 1,300 childcare settings, employ more than 38,000 people, and take care of over 160,000 children.