Centre Manager

Tupu Tahi; Manawatū-Whanganui; On-site; NZD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Tupu Tahi is seeking an experienced Centre Manager to lead the day-to-day operations of our early education centre in Palmerston North. You will rost­er staff, manage enrolments, occupancy and compliant operations while fostering strong whānau relationships.

This hands-on role requires coordinating staffing, budgets and regulatory readiness, working alongside our Curriculum Manager to align operational and curriculum leadership.

Qualifications

• Proven centre management or senior leadership experience in ECE.
• Strong understanding of licensing, regulatory requirements and compliance.
• Excellent organisation and communication skills with attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Create and manage staff rosters using Discover rostering.
• Oversee staffing levels, ratios, leave and daily cover.
• Maintain accurate centre administration and records.
• Oversee enrolments, inquiries, visits and occupancy.
• Build strong relationships with whānau and prospective families.
• Ensure licensing, regulatory and health & safety requirements are met.

Skills

Leadership experience

Regulatory knowledge

Administrative excellence

Education

ECE qualification

Tools

Discover rostering

Job description

Strong organisation. Genuine relationships. Confident leadership.

Tupu Tahi is looking for an experienced Centre Manager to lead the day‑to‑day management and operations of our early education centre in Palmerston North.

This is a hands‑on role for someone who enjoys making sure a centre runs exceptionally well — from rostering and staffing to compliance, enrolments, occupancy and whānau communication.

The role

You’ll be responsible for:

• Creating and managing staff rosters using Discover
• Managing staffing levels, ratios, leave and daily cover
• Maintaining accurate centre administration and records
• Overseeing enrolments, enquiries, centre visits and occupancy
• Building genuine relationships with current and prospective whānau
• Ensuring licensing, regulatory and health & safety requirements are consistently met
• Keeping documentation organised and the centre prepared for ERO and Ministry requirements
• Monitoring expenditure and working within agreed budgets
• Managing day‑to‑day communication and confidently responding to the unexpected
• Working alongside our Curriculum Manager, ensuring operational and curriculum leadership complement one another

About you

You’ll ideally bring:

• Proven ECE centre management or senior leadership experience
• A recognised ECE qualification and current practising certificate
• Experience using Discover, particularly rostering and administration
• Strong knowledge of ECE licensing, compliance and regulatory requirements
• Excellent organisational, administrative and communication skills
• Experience managing staffing, ratios, enrolments and occupancy
• Experience with the Reggio Emilia approach
• Strong knowledge and practical understanding of te ao Māori and tikanga Māori

At Tupu Tahi, we want every child to be known, valued and to truly belong. Our approach is influenced by Reggio Emilia and grounded in relationships, connection, te ao Māori, culture and community.