Centre Manager

Tupu Tahi; Wellington; On-site; NZD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Tupu Tahi in Palmerston North is seeking an experienced Centre Manager to lead the day-to-day management and operations of our early education centre. You will oversee rostering, staffing, enrolments, compliance and family engagement, ensuring licensing and health and safety requirements are met, while collaborating with the Curriculum Manager to align operations with our Reggio Emilia-inspired approach.

This hands-on role requires strong leadership, impeccable organisation and a passion for

Qualifications

• Proven ECE centre management or senior leadership experience.
• recognised ECE qualification and current practising certificate.
• Experience rostering and administration using Discover.
• Strong knowledge of ECE licensing, compliance and regulations.
• Excellent organisation and communication skills.
• Experience with staffing, enrolments and occupancy.
• Familiarity with Reggio Emilia approach and te ao Māori

Responsibilities

• Create and manage staff rosters using Discover.
• Manage staffing levels, leave and daily cover.
• Maintain accurate centre administration and records.
• Oversee enrolments, enquiries, visits and occupancy.
• Build relationships with whānau and prospective families.
• Ensure licensing, regulatory and health & safety requirements are met.
• Prepare documentation for ERO and Ministry needs.
• Monitor expenditure and work within budgets.
• Lead day‑to‑day communications and adapt to unexpected events.
• Collaborate with Curriculum Manager to align operations and curriculum

Skills

ECE centre management

Staff rostering

Regulatory knowledge

Enrolments & occupancy

Communication with whānau

Budget monitoring

Discover software

Leadership

Education

ECE qualification

Practising certificate

Tools

Discover

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.

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 au Māori, culture and community.

If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you.

Please send your CV, and direct enquiries to: