Centre Director – Lead a Brand‑New Flagship Service in Mooroolbark

Centre Director – Lead a Brand‑New Flagship Service in Mooroolbark

Lead a Start‑Up Service for a High‑Performing, Highly Respected Early Learning Organisation

SH Recruitment is working exclusively with a childcare service that is opening a brand‑new, purpose‑built early learning centre in beautiful Mooroolbark. We are searching for an exceptional Centre Director with proven start‑up experience to bring this service to life.

This is a rare opportunity to shape the culture, build occupancy from day one, and lead a high‑quality program with the full backing of one of the sector’s most reputable organisations.

- Opening Date: The centre is scheduled to open in 2027, and we are looking for someone to start in late 2026 to help prepare for the launch.

Why This Role Stands Out:

- Work‑Life Flexibility: Enjoy a leadership role that genuinely supports balance, autonomy, and wellbeing.

- High‑Performing Company: Join an organisation known for excellence, strong values, and an outstanding reputation in the sector.

- Build Something From Scratch: Have the opportunity to influence design, culture, community engagement, and enrolment strategies from the ground up.

- Exceptional Support: Benefit from daily access to an experienced operations team, marketing support for occupancy growth, and a well‑resourced environment.

- Career Growth: Enjoy ongoing professional development, leadership coaching, and opportunities to advance into broader organisational roles.

About the Role:

As Centre Director, you will lead the successful launch, licensing, and ongoing performance of this new service. Your responsibilities will include driving occupancy growth, building a high‑performing team, and creating a warm, inclusive, community‑connected centre that families trust.

Key Responsibilities:

- Lead all start‑up operations, including licensing, team recruitment, and community engagement.





- Drive occupancy growth through exceptional service quality, local partnerships, and strategic enrolment planning.

- Build and mentor a high‑performing, values‑driven team.

- Embed a culture of safety, quality, and continuous improvement.

- Ensure compliance with all NQF, regulatory, and organisational standards.

- Create a welcoming and inspiring environment for children, families, and educators.

The ideal candidate should demonstrate:

Proven experience in successfully opening and stabilising new centres

Strong leadership capability with the ability to build, mentor, and retain high‑performing teams

In‑depth knowledge of compliance, NQF/NQS, and confidence in achieving high Assessment & Rating outcomes

Strong occupancy growth mindset with proven results in building enrolments and community engagement

Excellent communication and relationship‑building skills with families, staff, and the local community

A proactive, hands‑on approach with strong problem‑solving and decision‑making capability

A explicit and structured approach to pre‑opening planning, including the ability to develop and execute a detailed 3‑month preparation plan prior to opening (staffing, enrolments, compliance readiness, and operational setup)

If you are a high‑performing Centre Director who thrives in start‑up environments and seeks the freedom, support, and resources to build a truly exceptional service, we would love to hear from you.

Please note, applications close on the 29th of August 2026, where we will then be shortlisting candidates for interviews.

Lilydale, Yarra Valley & High Country VIC

Your application will include the following questions:

- Which of the following statements best describes your right to work in Australia?
- How many years' experience do you have as a centre director?
- Do you have experience in a community outreach environment?
- Have you worked in a role which requires a sound understanding of the National Quality Framework?

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📌 Centre Director – Lead a Brand‑New Flagship Service in Mooroolbark (Yarra Junction)
🏢 SH Recruitment
📍 Yarra Junction