Regional Operations Manager

Thrive Childcare and Education; England; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading childcare provider in the United Kingdom seeks a Regional Operations Manager to lead and support multiple nursery settings. You will guide Nursery Managers to ensure compliance with regulations while delivering high-quality education for children aged 0-5. The ideal candidate will have substantial leadership experience and a relevant Early Years qualification. This role is pivotal in promoting operational excellence and positive outcomes for children, families, and teams.

Benefits

Earn an extra £200 per month through referrals

Birthday holiday and wellbeing day off – an additional 2 days paid leave

Christmas week closure and shopping vouchers

Up to 85% off childcare discounts

Cash health plans for dental and health services

Long service awards

Monthly colleague spotlight rewards

Personal progression career opportunities

DBS registration paid by Thrive

Plus many more amazing benefits

Qualifications

• Must hold a full and relevant Early Years qualification (Level 3 or above).
• Substantial leadership experience within early years or childcare settings.
• Proven ability to lead and develop management teams.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership across multiple nursery settings.
• Support Nursery Managers to deliver high-quality education and childcare.
• Ensure all nurseries meet regulatory and safeguarding standards.

Skills

Leadership experience

Understanding of EYFS framework

Knowledge of safeguarding regulations

Education

Full and relevant Early Years qualification (Level 3 or above)

Job description

Benefits

• Earn an extra £200 per month through referrals
• Birthday holiday and wellbeing day off – an additional 2 days paid leave
• Christmas week closure and Christmas shopping vouchers
• Up to 85% off childcare discounts (T&C apply)
• Cash health plans – cashback on dental treatment and health services
• Long service awards
• Monthly colleague spotlight rewards – cash incentive
• Personal progression career opportunities
• DBS registration paid on behalf of Thrive
• Plus many more amazing benefits

Essential Criteria

You must hold a full and relevant Early Years qualification (Level 3 or above, as recognised by the DfE) and have substantial leadership experience within early years or childcare settings, including management responsibility. You will have an in-depth understanding of the EYFS framework, safeguarding and regulatory requirements, and a proven ability to lead, support, and develop management teams to deliver consistently high-quality care and education for children aged 0–5.

About The Role

As Regional Operations Manager, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across multiple nursery settings in the Cheshire region, including Alsager, Chester, Warrington, and Wistaston. You will support and develop the Nursery Managers to deliver consistently high-quality early years education and childcare. You will be responsible for ensuring all nurseries meet regulatory, safeguarding, and EYFS standards, overseeing day-to-day operations, monitoring performance, budgets, and occupancy, and driving continuous improvement. The role requires building strong, positive cultures, maintaining compliance with health and safety and employment legislation, leading quality assurance processes, and working closely with senior leadership to promote operational excellence, growth, and outstanding outcomes for children, families, and teams.

Children first every time | Deliver everyday with passion | Be a positive role model | Teamwork