Centre Director - Early Learning Victoria Clunes (interim name)

Salary band - $116,272 - $129,787

Early Learning Victoria is seeking an experienced Centre Director to lead the new government-owned early learning and childcare centre at Clunes Primary (Creswick). Opening in 2026, this 102-place centre will provide long day care and Three and Four-Year-Old Kindergarten, eventually transitioning to include Pre-Prep.

The Centre Director is being recruited ahead of the centre's opening to support crucial establishment activity, including staff recruitment, building community relationships, and working with the Early Learning Victoria central team to establish policies and procedures and shape the centre's culture and philosophy.

Role Purpose

The Centre Director will provide leadership and management regarding all aspects of the operations and management of the Early Learning Victoria centre, in line with regulations and organisational policies and procedures. The Centre Director will perform the role of Nominated Supervisor.

Key responsibilities

• Work closely and collaboratively with Early Learning Victoria central office to prepare the centre for opening in 2026 and to establish structures to enable excellence in early learning and care
• Plan and oversee the delivery of high-quality, sustainable, compliant and safe early learning programs.
• Manage all aspects of staffing, including recruitment, induction, rostering, performance, professional development and mentoring, safety and wellbeing and promoting a positive team culture that values diversity and innovation
• Engage with staff on all aspects of operations, fostering a collaborative centre dynamic that encourages communication and shared problem-solving
• Manage all financial, administrative and other operations of the centre
• Develop and implement strategies to maximise enrolments and occupancy
• Exemplify and embody the Early Learning Victoria philosophy and values
• Establish and maintain relationships with a range of stakeholders including co-located services, local schools, community groups, neighbouring early learning services and local councils
• Create a positive and welcoming experience for families
• Ensure all legislative requirements, policies and procedures are met and maintained

Capabilities

Administration: Leads day-to-day operations of the centre including staffing, child enrolment, budgeting and expenditure, stakeholder management and centre related communications.

Service Delivery: Oversees the implementation of high-quality care and educational programs that advances children's holistic development. Upholds the Early Learning Victoria philosophy and translates this into centre-level values, goals and behaviours. Builds and maintains meaningful relationships with families. Facilitates collaboration with co-located services and schools. Ensures centre alignment with the strategic and operational direction of Early Learning Victoria.

People Management: Manages all aspects of centre staffing including recruitment, induction, rostering, performance, professional development and mentoring, safety and wellbeing and promoting a positive team culture that values diversity and innovation. Develops strategies for workforce attraction, retention and development and provides feedback to the central office about opportunities and challenges. Engages with staff on all aspects of operations, fostering a collaborative centre dynamic that encourages communication and shared problem-solving.

Compliance and child safety: Ensures the centre is compliant with all aspects of the Education and Care Services National Law and Regulations, National Quality Standards, Child Protection and Child Safe Standards, Approved Frameworks and all Early Learning Victoria policies and procedures.

Personal Attributes:

Demonstrates the public sector values of responsiveness, integrity, impartiality, accountability, respect, leadership and human rights.

Flexibility and adaptability: Operates effectively in a flexible and changing environment and manages workload efficiently to meet the centre's needs.

Working Collaboratively: Leads a culture of collaboration within the centre and builds relationships with stakeholders and the community to support operations and maximise impact of the centre.

High Quality Practice: Committed to providing an environment where children can flourish and thrive, supported by pedagogy and practice that upholds all elements of the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework, the Education and Care Services National Law and Regulations and the National Quality Standards and is guided by the philosophy of Early Learning Victoria. Encourages reflective practice where feedback is used constructively to improve teaching and learning experiences. Stays informed about current research and trends to ensure the service delivers high-quality, innovative programs that meet the needs of children and families.

People Leadership: Holds self and team accountable to public sector values and agreed performance standards. Supports the achievement of educational and developmental outcomes by proactively addressing and resolving issues. Establishes and implements strategies to enhance staff engagement and motivation. Creates opportunities to recognise and celebrate the performance and contributions of the team.

Selection Criteria

Criteria 1: People Leadership - please see the Capabilities section above for more detail.

Criteria 2: Demonstrates the Child Safety and Compliance role requirements.

Criteria 3: Personal Attributes - please see the Capabilities section above for more detail.

Criteria 4: High Quality Practice - please see the Capabilities section above for more detail.

Child Safe Standards

Victorian government schools are child safe environments. Our schools actively promote the safety and wellbeing of all students, and all school staff are committed to protecting students from abuse or harm in the school environment, in accordance with their legal obligations including child safe standards. All schools have a Child Safety Code of Conduct consistent with the department's exemplar available at:

https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/child-safe-standards/policy

Conditions of Employment

Applicants are required to submit a CV and cover letter (max 2 pages for cover letter) summarising their skills, relevant experience and suitability to the role. In your cover letter, please also respond directly to the Key Selection Criteria.

Please note, applications will only be reviewed after the job ad close date. We will not be contacting applicants before this time.

For more information about the role please contact Amy Carr on 03 7022 0396 or via [email protected]

The department values diversity and inclusion in all forms - gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. For more information about our work, working for the Department, diversity and inclusion, and our employment conditions visit the Department website and our Diversity and Inclusion page.

Applicants requiring adjustments can contact the nominated contact person.

Please let us know via phone or email if you require any adjustments to ensure your full participation in the recruitment process or if you need the ad or any attachments in an accessible format (e.g large print) due to any viewing difficulties or other accessibility requirements.

Applications close 11:59pm on Wednesday 19 March 2025

Who May Apply

Experience required will include

• Demonstrated management and leadership experience in early childhood education and care.
• Demonstrated understanding of Education Care Services National Law and Regulations, the National Quality Framework, Child Safe Standards, Quality Improvement Plan and the Victorian Early Years Learning Development Framework.
• Financial management and administrative experience specific to early childhood education and care.
• Ability to lead and guide teaching teams and competency in all aspects of staff management.
• Effective communication and relationship-building skills with staff, children, families and communities.
• Experience working with children and families experiencing vulnerability.
• Proficiency in relevant administrative systems.

Specific skills/qualifications required

• Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care or higher (Bachelor of Education/Teaching (Early Childhood) will be highly regarded)
• Current 'Employee' Working with Children's Check
• Willingness to consent to a National Police Check (to be arranged by Early Learning Victoria)
• International Police Check required if resided outside of Australia for 12 months or more during the last 10 years
• First Aid, anaphylaxis and asthma qualifications
• Protecting Children - Mandatory Reporting online learning (or willing to obtain)
• Food Handling Certificate and Safe Sleep Training is desirable.