Chief Operating Officer - Early Years

Morgan Hunt UK Ltd; Wolverhampton; On-site; GBP 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

YMCA Black Country Group in the West Midlands is seeking a senior leader to steer the strategic and operational direction of its early years provision. The Chief Operating Officer will drive quality, performance and financial sustainability across multi-site nursery operations, ensuring safeguarding and Ofsted readiness while building capable teams.

You will work to deliver excellent services for children and families, embedding the organisation's Christian ethos in leadership and day-to-day

Qualifications

• Proven senior leadership experience in early years, childcare or education settings.
• Strong understanding of Ofsted inspections, safeguarding and regulatory compliance.
• Ability to develop and implement strategic plans for multi-site services.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for early years provision across sites.
• Drive quality assurance, safeguarding, inspection readiness and regulatory compliance.
• Build capable teams, develop managers and foster a culture of high performance and accountability.
• Oversee budgets, resources and financial sustainability across services.
• Lead service development to meet the needs of children and families and align with the charity's mission.

Skills

Senior leadership

Ofsted framework expertise

Strategic planning

Budget and financial management

Team development

Safeguarding knowledge

Job description

YMCA Black Country Group | West Midlands

Shape early years provision, develop high-performing teams and put Christian faith into action.

YMCA Black Country Group is seeking an experienced senior leader to drive the quality, development and sustainability of its early years provision. This is an opportunity to combine strategic leadership with a strong sense of social purpose, helping to deliver positive outcomes for children and families across the Black Country and South Staffordshire.

Whether you are an experienced Headteacher or Deputy Headteacher looking for a new challenge, or a senior early years leader with experience of multi-site nursery operations, this role offers the opportunity to apply your expertise within an organisation where professional excellence and Christian faith go hand in hand.

About YMCA Black Country Group

YMCA Black Country Group (YMCA BCG) is a Christian charity operating across the Black Country and South Staffordshire, employing around 200 staff across services including childcare, family support, supported housing, youth work and community wellbeing.

As part of the worldwide YMCA Movement, YMCA BCG is rooted in Christian faith and committed to putting that faith into action. Its services support people of all faiths and none, while its Christian ethos and values remain central to how the organisation leads, works and serves its communities.

A Genuine Occupational Requirement in accordance with the Equalities Act 2010 applies to this appointment for the successful candidate to be a practising Christian.

The role

As Chief Operating Officer - Early Years, you will take strategic and operational responsibility for the organisation's early years provision, driving quality, performance and financial sustainability. You will lead the development of services, support managers to deliver consistently high standards and ensure provision meets the needs of children and families while contributing to the charity's wider mission.

You will provide leadership across service delivery, quality assurance, safeguarding and regulatory compliance, using your understanding of Ofsted frameworks to support continuous improvement. You will also oversee operational performance and resources, identifying opportunities to strengthen provision and ensure services remain sustainable.

Working collaboratively with colleagues across YMCA BCG, you will develop capable teams, build a culture of accountability and high performance, and demonstrate how the organisation's Christian mission can be reflected in the way its services are delivered.

About you

You will be an established senior leader with experience in an early years, childcare or educational setting, able to operate strategically while maintaining a clear focus on operational delivery and quality.

This could be an excellent next step for a current or former primary school Headteacher or Deputy Headteacher, or a senior leader experienced in managing nursery provision across multiple sites. We are interested in the quality of your leadership experience, your ability to drive improvement and your motivation to apply your skills in a purpose‑led organisation.

You will bring:

• Substantial senior management experience within an early years, childcare or educational setting.
• A strong understanding of Ofsted frameworks, inspection requirements and safeguarding.
• Experience of leading teams, developing managers and driving improvements in quality and performance.
• Strong strategic and operational leadership capability, supported by financial and commercial awareness.
• Experience of managing budgets, resources and competing operational priorities.
• A commitment to achieving positive outcomes for children and families.

Alongside your professional experience, you will be a practising Christian whose faith informs your approach to leadership and your commitment to serving others. You will embrace YMCA BCG's distinctive Christian ethos and respect the diverse communities it serves.

Why join YMCA Black Country Group?

This is an opportunity to combine professional expertise, strategic leadership and Christian faith within an established charity committed to improving lives. You will help shape the future of early years provision, develop strong teams and contribute to the support available to children and families across the region.

For the right person, this is a chance to make a meaningful difference through both what you deliver and how you lead.