About the Opportunity

ECE Centre Manager | People & Practice | South West Sydney

This is a chance to bring your leadership and fresh perspective to a well established, growing service that values structure, inclusion and teamwork.

You will lead a large service with around 30 educators and high occupancy, supported by an Area Manager and a strong head office team who manage many of the administrative functions. This means you can focus on what matters most - people, quality and consistency.

You will have the backing of experienced leaders who believe in mentoring and growth. The role would suit someone adaptable, tech savvy and hands on, who can balance calm leadership with strong organisation and documentation skills.

This position offers the opportunity to step into a supportive environment and further develop your leadership, with clear pathways for future progression into senior management.

About the Service This is a large, community minded service in South West Sydney area - catering for children across a variety of rooms to ensure there is plenty of space for those break away moments and equally for collaboration, sitting on a quiet corner end of a block and capturing that North East aspect (sun at the perfect times).

It offers:

• A play based, spontaneous program guided by structure and consistency.
• An experienced cook providing nutritious, mostly unprocessed meals.
• A strong inclusion culture supported by Inclusion Support funding.
• Digital systems in place for documentation and communication (very organised).
• A supportive Area Manager and head office who handle enrolments, payroll and compliance processes.
• A dedicated daily cleaner and admin support team, allowing you to focus on leadership and quality.

This provider values collaboration, reflection and continuous improvement and has exciting and sustainable growth plans ahead with new services in development.

Your Role As Centre Manager, you will:

• Lead, guide and support a team of around 30 educators.
• Oversee the day to day operations of the service with structure and consistency.
• Maintain quality documentation and compliance through digital platforms.
• Support inclusive practices and ensure all team members embrace inclusion.
• Communicate effectively with the Area Manager and senior leadership team.
• Not be in ratio, however you will model calm, capable leadership by being present with the team and hands on.

You will have the autonomy to manage your team and the support of an Area Manager who understands the realities of centre leadership.

About You You are a hands on, people focused leader who values structure and teamwork. You can manage competing priorities while staying calm, organised and approachable.

You will bring:

• Diploma qualification or higher in Early Childhood Education.
• Strong leadership experience in a medium to large early learning service.
• Confidence in managing compliance, documentation and digital systems.
• A collaborative, inclusive leadership style that builds trust and accountability.
• Adaptability and a willingness to learn within a structured, supportive environment.
• A firm but friendly approach that supports both educators and families.
• Confidence to inspire the team. You thrive on bringing people together, lifting expectations and building a more collaborative culture day to day.

Why You Will Want This Role

• $90,000 to $110,000 plus super (flexible depending on experience).
• 95% childcare discount for your own children.
• Paid professional development (we talking paid support for your Bachelor? Okay)!
• Real opportunities to grow into senior roles.
• Supportive management with mentoring and guidance.
• No culture of overtime, with a genuine focus on work life balance.
• A collaborative environment where your leadership makes an impact.
• Part of a close knit boutique group of services - large enough to offer structure and support, small enough that your leadership still makes a real impact.

Child Safeguarding: Looking for an individual that will understand, adhere to, and promote The National Principles for Child Safe Organisations (the Child Safe Standards). In your position, you will help to take action to promote child wellbeing and prevent harm to children and young people.

Child safeguarding methods for this position, could include, but are not limited to:

• A NSW Working With Children Check (WWCC) or willingness to obtain.
• Thorough screening.
• Reference checks.
• A national criminal history check.

What Now
Sound like a service where you can grow and make a difference? We would love to hear from you. Apply confidentially via the link or contact Firefly HR at [email protected] to learn more.

Not sure if it is the right fit? That is okay. Reach out anyway. You will be listened to, not sold to.

Firefly HR – Made by Educators, for Educators
We partner with services who do things differently, who lead with integrity, hold onto what matters and create workplaces educators deserve.