Area Manager

New Shoots Children's Centres; Hamilton; On-site; NZD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company vehicle

Professional development

Wellbeing initiatives

50% childcare fees for own children

Job summary

New Shoots Children's Centres – Hamilton, North Island, is seeking an Area Manager to lead a Waikato and South Auckland portfolio. You will develop leaders, champion quality teaching and learning, and ensure centres deliver outstanding outcomes daily.

You will lead Centre Managers, build capability, manage performance and drive improvements in curriculum, people, and finances while upholding safety and compliance. Strong stakeholder engagement is essential.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading leaders across multiple sites or locations.
• Strong strategic and operational capabilities in ECE contexts.
• Experience developing leaders and building high-performing teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coach Centre Managers to achieve educational and operational excellence.
• Build high-performing teams aligned with values and purpose.
• Drive continuous improvement across curriculum, people, financial performance and quality standards.
• Support leaders through change while maintaining engagement and accountability.
• Use data to identify opportunities and lift performance.
• Ensure health, safety, compliance and risk management standards.

Skills

Leadership

Coaching & mentoring

Stakeholder management

Strategic thinking

Data-driven performance

Education

Early Childhood Education qualification

Teaching Council registration

Tools

IT literacy

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 9th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

New Shoots Children's Centres – Hamilton, North Island

Area Manager | Waikato & South Auckland

At New Shoots and Educare, we believe every child deserves the best possible start in life. As part of our growing early childhood education group, we're seeking an exceptional Area Manager to lead our Waikato and South Auckland centres.

This is a role for someone who thrives on developing people, driving performance, and creating environments where tamariki, whānau and kaimahi flourish.

You’ll lead a portfolio of centres through a team of Centre Managers, building leadership capability, championing quality teaching and learning, and ensuring our centres deliver outstanding outcomes every day.

What you’ll be doing

• Leading and coaching Centre Managers to achieve excellent educational and operational outcomes
• Building high-performing, engaged teams that live our values and purpose
• Driving continuous improvement across curriculum, people, financial performance and quality standards
• Supporting leaders through change while maintaining strong engagement and accountability
• Using data and insights to identify opportunities and lift performance
• Ensuring health, safety, compliance and risk management standards are met
• Partnering with Ministry agencies, whānau and internal support teams to achieve positive outcomes

About you

You are an experienced leader of leaders who knows how to bring out the best in people.

You thrive in a fast-paced environment, enjoy balancing strategy with hands‑on leadership, and have a track record of lifting performance through coaching, mentoring and accountability.

You will bring:

• Proven experience leading leaders across multiple sites or locations
• Energy, drive and the ability to inspire teams to achieve great outcomes
• Strong operational and financial acumen
• Experience leading change and continuous improvement initiatives
• Excellent relationship‑building and stakeholder management skills
• A passion for making a difference for tamariki, whānau and communities

What you’ll bring

• A minimum of five years' leadership experience within early childhood education or a related sector
• A recognised qualification in Early Childhood Education or a related field
• Current Teaching Council registration
• Experience managing performance, developing leaders and building high-performing teams
• Strong communication, organisational and financial management skills
• Confidence using technology and digital systems to improve outcomes

Why join us?

This is an opportunity to join an organisation with a clear purpose, strong values and ambitious plans for the future.

You’ll work alongside a passionate leadership team committed to empowering communities, growing great leaders and delivering exceptional early learning experiences.

As part of the team, you will enjoy:

• A competitive salary, with company vehicle
• Ongoing professional development
• A supportive and collaborative Senior Leadership Team
• Wellbeing initiatives to support you both professionally and personally
• 50% childcare fees for your own children at an Educare centre
• Branded uniform

Based in Waikato with regular travel across the Waikato and South Auckland region. NOTE: Applications will be reviewed as they come through, role closes September 9th.