Deputy Manager

Bright Horizons; Southampton; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Childcare discount 75%

Enhanced parental leave

25 days annual leave + bank holidays

Pension

Wellbeing benefits

Professional development

Job summary

Bright Horizons Southampton is seeking a Deputy Manager to lead a nurturing nursery team in Southampton. You will act as Designated Safeguarding Lead and manage safeguarding policies while supporting training and progression for staff.

The role focuses on driving occupancy, retention, and budget adherence within a warm, inclusive environment. Candidates should hold a Full Level 3 or above Early Years qualification, have leadership experience in early years, and a strong understanding of

Qualifications

• Full and relevant Level 3 or above Early Years qualification.
• Experience in an Early Years leadership role (Deputy Manager/Assistant Manager or similar).
• Experience of participating with a regulatory inspection leading to a Good or Outstanding outcome.
• Confident decision maker with leadership experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, support, and inspire the team to deliver exceptional care and education.
• Act as Designated Safeguarding Lead and oversee safeguarding policies.
• Oversee day-to-day running of the nursery and maintain partnerships with parents and professionals.
• Support succession planning, training, and budgets to drive occupancy and retention.

Education

Level 3 Early Years qualification

Job description

Nursery – Bright Horizons Southampton Day Nursery and Preschool

Salary - From £32513 per annum (dependent on qualification/s and experience)

Location - Southampton, Hampshire

Are you looking to work for an organisation whose culture is driven by our HEART principles - Honesty, Excellence, Accountability, Respect, and Teamwork? Where you can be yourself, feel supported, and help to make a difference to the next generation? Somewhere you can say: "I did that."

We're looking for a Deputy Manager to join ourSouthampton nursery. At our nursery, we pride ourselves on creating a warm, inclusive, and nurturing environment where children flourish, families feel valued, and colleagues are empowered to be their very best.

Our Benefits

• Childcare discount of 75% for first child
• Enhanced parental leave
• 25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays and paid Christmas closure. Ability to also purchase additional leave*
• Pension
• Financial and wellbeing benefits including 24/7 virtual GP appointments, early access to wages, and more
• Professional development programme access for every stage of your career, including access to a careers coach

*Subject to T&Cs

The Role

As a Deputy Manager, you will lead, mentor, support, and inspire a team to deliver exception care and education. You will act as Designated Safeguarding Lead, overseeing day to day running of the nursery and management of safeguarding and child protection policies. You will contribute to succession planning, training, and supporting team professional development plans, maintain strong partnerships with colleagues, parents, and other professionals (such as the Local Authority), and support the commercial success of the nursery through retention, occupancy growth, and maintaining budgets.

What we're looking for

• Full and relevant Level 3 or above Early Years qualification
• Experience within an Early Years leadership role (ideally as a Deputy Manager, Assistant Manager, Third in Charge or similar)
• Experience of participating with a regulatory inspection, leading to a 'Good' or 'Outstanding' outcome
• Confident decision maker, with previous experience providing support and leadership to others
• Strong knowledge and understanding of Safeguarding, Child Protection, and the wider legislative requirements for working with children
• Ability to develop trust and strong working partnerships with both colleagues and parents/ carers
• Ability to use a variety of communication techniques with both children and adults

Bright Horizons is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. This post is subject to safer recruitment practice and pre-employment checks, including an enhanced DBS check, which will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed.

We are an inclusive employer and welcome people from all ages and backgrounds to apply. We will consider reasonable adjustments required by applicants. Please note, due to our sector all roles are subject to an Enhanced DBS.

Bright Horizons is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. This post is subject to safer recruitment practice and pre-employment checks, including an enhanced DBS check, which will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed.

We are an inclusive employer and welcome people from all ages and backgrounds to apply. We will consider reasonable adjustments required by applicants.

We look forward to receiving your application!