Service Operations Manager (Childcare Area Manager)

Tigerschildcare; Dublin; Hybrid; EUR 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Refer a Friend bonus

Reward and recognition initiatives

Milestone celebrations

Up to 30 days leave per year

Bike to Work Scheme

TaxSaver Travel Scheme

Childcare discount for colleagues

Accommodation assistance

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

Paid sick leave (statutory)

CPD and training opportunities

Job summary

Tigers Childcare in Dublin is seeking a Service Operations Manager (Childcare Area Manager) to lead and support Centre Managers across multiple services. You will drive operational excellence, safeguarding, staff development, and high-quality childcare delivery.

The role requires clear communication, strong organisational skills, and a hands-on approach to everyday challenges. You’ll work with the Quality, Compliance and Support Team to enhance pedagogy and practice, manage risk while ensuring

Qualifications

• Leadership in a multi-site childcare setting is essential.
• Experience guiding pedagogical practice and safeguarding is required.
• Ability to balance service quality with resource management and timelines.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support Centre Managers to build strong relationships with children, parents and colleagues.
• Oversee staffing, ratios, and deployment to maintain high-quality services.
• Act as safeguarding lead for child protection and behavior matters, addressing concerns promptly.
• Develop teams through effective supervision, induction, and performance management.
• Collaborate with Quality, Compliance and Support teams to improve practice and pedagogy across services.

Skills

Leadership

Staff management

Childcare expertise

Communication

Problem-solving

Independent work

Collaboration

Budgeting/Resource management

Education

Third-level qualification in Early Childhood Care and Education

Tools

Microsoft Outlook

Teams

SharePoint

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Service Operations Manager (Childcare Area Manager)

Dublin / Hybrid, D15 EH34

Contract Type: Full Time

Salary: Competitive salary DOE

Job Category: Business/Strategic Management

Service Operations Manager (Childcare Area Manager)

[Dublin / Hybrid / Travel Required] | Full-time | Permanent | Competitive Salary DOE

At Tigers Childcare, your leadership helps create environments where children and colleagues can thrive. We’re looking for an experienced early years leader to support Centre Managers, strengthen operational performance and help deliver consistently high-quality childcare across our services.

You’ll combine practical operational support with a strong understanding of early childhood practice. You’ll help managers resolve challenges, develop their teams and maintain safe, well-run services that meet the needs of children and families.

Why We Do What We Do

Tigers Childcare creates exceptional environments where children thrive through play, exploration and meaningful relationships. With 37 centres and growing, we’re one of Ireland’s leading childcare providers – committed to quality, inclusion and continuous improvement.

The same values that guide how we support children – curiosity, care, consistency and high expectations – shape how we support our teams. At Tigers, we invest in your development, prioritise wellbeing, and make sure everyone feels they belong.

How You’ll Make an Impact

• Support confident centre leadership:Provide practical guidance and day-to-day operational support to Centre Managers, helping them build positive relationships with children, parents and colleagues.
• Keep services running effectively: Support staffing decisions, oversee ratios and coordinate colleague redeployment where required, balancing service quality with efficient use of resources.
• Lead on safeguarding and sensitive issues:Act as the lead contact for child protection and behaviour management matters, ensuring concerns are addressed promptly and appropriately. Support Centre Managers with escalated complaints.
• Build capable, motivated teams:Help managers set clear performance expectations, induct new colleagues and deliver effective Support and Supervision meetings.
• Strengthen practice and quality:Work with the Quality, Compliance and Support Team to develop early childhood practice and pedagogy across early years and after-school services.
• Manage risk and support compliance:Identify and address risks to children, colleagues and services, maintaining confidentiality and appropriate handling of personal information.
• Connect operational priorities with delivery:Support strategic and operational plans, provide regular reports to senior operational leaders and work across departments to drive continuous improvement.

What You’ll Need to Succeed

Must-Haves

• At least five years’ experience in a leadership role within Early Years Education.
• Experience leading and supporting pedagogical practice.
• Strong knowledge of current early childhood education research, child development and the school-age quality framework.
• The ability to manage complex, competing priorities and make sound decisions.
• Strong organisational, interpersonal and problem-solving skills, with attention to detail and reliable follow-through.
• The confidence to work independently, use initiative and collaborate effectively.
• The ability to build positive working relationships with colleagues, business partners and external stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Teams, SharePoint, Excel, Word and PowerPoint.

Nice-to-Haves

• A relevant third-level qualification in Early Childhood Care and Education.
• Additional leadership or management qualifications.
• Experience working in a multi-site childcare organisation.

The Perks, the Pay, and the Purpose

What the Role Offers You

• The opportunity to influence the quality and consistency of childcare across multiple services.
• A leadership role supporting Centre Managers and developing colleague capability.
• Collaboration with experienced operational and quality leaders.
• Opportunities to develop your expertise through professional learning and training.

Salary & Benefits

• Competitive, depending on experience
• Reward & Recognition
  • Refer a Friend bonus scheme
  • Reward and recognition initiatives
  • Milestone celebrations recognising colleague achievements and service
• Work-Life Balance & Lifestyle Benefits
  • Up to 30 days leave per year (including public holidays)
  • Bike to Work Scheme
  • TaxSaver Travel Scheme
  • Childcare discount for colleagues
  • Accommodation assistance (where applicable)
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
• Paid sick leave (statutory)
• Wellbeing-focused culture that supports colleagues both personally and professionally
• Continuous Professional Development opportunities
• Complimentary training programmes
• Access to our Online Learning Academy
• Tools for Success
  • Travel expenses reimbursed in line with company policy
  • The opportunity to work alongside experienced operational and quality leaders
  • A collaborative, supportive environment where your expertise and contribution are valued

Let’s Build Something Brilliant Together

All roles are subject to Garda Vetting and reference checks in line with regulatory requirements and Tigers Childcare’s Safeguarding Policy. Tigers Childcare is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Job Category

Business/Strategic Management