ECE Centre Manager | Busy Bees Gladstone Road

JobSpace; Gisborne; On-site; NZD 91,000 - 111,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Professional development

Wellbeing program

Discounted childcare

Annual flu vaccination

EAP

Job summary

Busy Bees Gladstone Road is seeking a Centre Manager to lead the centre's performance and nurture a high-performing team. You will deliver quality care and education with a strong focus on compliance and financial results, while mentoring kaiako through Growth Cycles.

You will implement strategic plans, evaluate curricula, and manage occupancy, enrolments, and rosters to meet targets, building community connections and ensuring bicultural practice underpinning Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) or NZQA approved equivalent.
• Current teacher registration and NZ residency/work visa.
• Experience leading in the ECE sector with a coaching mindset.

Responsibilities

• Lead centre performance and build a high-performing team.
• Deliver quality care/education with a focus on compliance and finance.
• Mentor kaiako through development conversations and growth cycles.
• Implement strategic plans and evaluate internal curricula.
• Manage occupancy, enrolments, rosters, and targets.

Skills

Leadership

Coaching

Stakeholder management

People management

Budgeting

Te Tiriti knowledge

Education

Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood)

Tools

Childcare management software

Enrollment systems

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.

Join Busy Bees Gladstone Road as our Centre Manager and enjoy the best of both worlds—the backing of a leading global early learning provider and the close-knit culture of a centre. With support from your Regional Manager, you'll have the freedom to lead with confidence, build a high-performing team, and create exceptional outcomes for tamariki, whānau, and kaiako.

Why Us?

Salary of $101,120 per annum.

Generous out of ratio allowance to focus on coaching and inspiring the team.

Backing from a national support network with a supportive local feel.

Access to EAP, a culture of open communication, and a focus on wellbeing.

Ongoing professional growth through leadership development courses and mentoring.

Discounted childcare fees and free annual flu vaccinations.

The Opportunity

Lead the centre performance while building of a high-performing team.

Deliver quality care and education with a focus on compliance and financial results.

Mentor kaiako through Professional Growth Cycles and 1:1 developmental discussion.

Implement centre-specific strategic plans and robust internal curriculum evaluations.

Manage occupancy, enrolments, and staff rosters to meet agreed targets.

Build deep community connections as the visible face and reputation of the centre.

Ensure Te Tiriti o Waitangi is the foundation of a bicultural approach to education.

About You

Hold a Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) or an equivalent NZQA approved qualification and current teacher registration.

Bring proven experience in a leadership role within the ECE sector with a passion for coaching and mentoring staff.

Possess in-depth knowledge of Te Whāriki, MOE Regulations, Licensing Criteria, and Teaching Council requirements.

Experience working with childcare management software and an understanding of enrolments, rosters, and occupancy targets.

Committed to the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and ensures Te Reo Māori and tikanga are woven into daily life.

If you're an experienced Centre Manager who is passionate about fostering strong relationships, building community, and creating a genuine sense of belonging, we'd love to connect with you.

Applicants must have NZ residency or a valid NZ work visa.

Why Work for Busy Bees? If you're passionate about early learning, Busy Bees is the place to be. Although we are part of a global organisation, our company was founded by three families looking for better, more enriching childcare. Three decades later, we still keep the same values at heart.

We know that we couldn't do what we do without the important people in our teams. We invest in our people and work with them to build career pathways that inspire.