Area Operations Manager - Early Years

Slough; Slough; Hybrid; GBP 56,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

26 days annual leave

LGPS pension scheme

Wellbeing initiatives

Tax-free childcare

Season rail/bus loan

Job summary

Slough Borough Council is seeking an experienced Early Years Operational Area Manager to oversee provision across children’s centres and family hubs. You will lead with vision, inspire teams, and ensure high standards of quality, safety and compliance across multiple settings.

You will champion excellence, develop nursery leaders, drive performance, and build strong partnerships with families and stakeholders, supporting a diverse local community.

Qualifications

• Experience leading the delivery of early years provision across multiple settings.
• Strong governance around quality, safety and compliance.
• Ability to build partnerships with families and external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership across multiple nursery settings to deliver high-quality early years provision.
• Inspire and develop nursery leaders; drive performance and continuous improvement.
• Ensure standards meet safeguarding and regulatory requirements and deliver positive learner outcomes.

Skills

Leadership

People management

Stakeholder engagement

Safeguarding

Quality assurance

Job description

• Directorate: Children Services
• Pay Level: 9, £56,354 - £62,066 (fully inclusive of local weighting allowance)
• Contract Type: permanent
• Working Hours: 37 hours per week
• Location: Children’s Centres/ Family Hubs
• DBS requirement: Enhanced

The closing date for applications is midnight on 6th November 2026.

Interviews will be held week commencing 16th November 2026.

What you’ll be doing:

As our Early Years Operational Area Manager, you will play a pivotal leadership role in shaping exceptional early years provision across multiple settings.

This is an exciting opportunity for a passionate and driven professional to lead with vision, inspire teams to deliver outstanding care and education, and ensure every early year’s provision operates to the highest standards of quality, safety, and compliance.

You will champion excellence, support and develop nursery leaders, drive performance and continuous improvement, and build strong partnerships with families and stakeholders.

Our Council:

Our vision is to make a difference to our communities and our environment, and we would love you to join us in our mission! All of our employees, whatever their job, contribute to delivering services to local people - either directly or by supporting colleagues. We celebrate diversity and are continuously striving for our residents to enjoy fulfilling, prosperous, and healthy lives.

What we offer:

We offer a supportive place to grow and develop your career with a real opportunity for your input to be valued and heard. Ambition and innovation will be required now more than ever, and you will join a friendly and collaborative environment where you are encouraged to thrive.

We understand that everyone has different needs and circumstances. That's why we're committed to offering flexible and hybrid working arrangements that help you achieve the best work-life balance and accommodate different working patterns. We encourage and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. We select staff on merit and foster a workforce where people are valued and represent the local communities we serve.

Annual increments, where applicable, are usually payable on 1st April each year, subject to six months service in the post, until the maximum spinal column point of the level has been reached. The payment of annual increments is not automatic and is subject to satisfactory performance as assessed by your director.

Alongside a competitive salary, we provide:

• 26 days annual leave (not including Bank holidays), rising to 30 days between 2 - 5 years' service and 33 days after 5 years' service.
• The Local Government Pension Scheme
• Ability to engage with wellbeing initiatives and the opportunity to be a member of our various employee networks, which are key to ensuring we celebrate and promote equality.
• Tax-free childcare and childcare services
• Season loan ticket - to help with the cost of your rail / bus journey to andfrom work.

Accessibility and Support:

Slough Borough Council is an inclusive employer. We are keen to support you to feel comfortable throughout the application and interview process. Therefore, if yourequireany support throughout the application process or reasonable adjustments for the interview (e.g. questions being printed on the day or consideration for layout or lighting for the interview room), please contactour Recruitment Team who will be able to assist: [e-mail].

This information will be treated confidentially and used solely to ensure we provide appropriate support throughout the recruitment process and beyond.

Slough Borough Council offers a variety of staff networks for you to be part of. Networks represent our diverse staff groups and come together to help the organisation be a place where our people can feel included and thrive.

Follow the link HERE to learn more.

Right to Work and Checks:

All applicants must have a valid right to work in the UK. If you require sponsorship,Applications are welcomed from qualified candidates who require visa sponsorship

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. If appointed, all posts will be subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks.

How we recruit at Slough Borough Council

Our 8 Core Skills

At Slough Borough Council, we're moving Forward Together. We believe in our people, our purpose, and our progress. We've created a unified set of core skills to help you understand what we value and will form part of your interview with us.

Click here to find out more - How we recruit | Slough Borough Council