Lead with impact. Restore excellence where it matters most.
We're seeking a hands-on, solutions-focused
Operations Excellence Specialist
to join our national team — an experienced leader ready to step into services that need urgent support to stabilise quality, compliance, and operations.
This is a specialist, full-time position working across multiple centres on short- to medium-term assignments, directly deployed by the
Director of Operations
. You'll act as an operational "fixer" — restoring secure, compliant, and high-quality practice in centres that need immediate expertise and leadership.
The role
In this critical role, you'll provide on-the-ground leadership, mentoring, and practical support to centre teams and managers. With delegated authority to act immediately where risk is identified, you'll guide centres through recovery, re-establish standards, and build the capability needed for long-term success.
In this role, you will:
Enter under-performing or high-risk services to assess and address operational, leadership, and compliance gaps.
Provide immediate, hands-on assistance in daily practices and staffing to ensure safety and stability.
Reset and embed quality, compliance, and safety non-negotiables.
Coach and uplift Centre Managers to sustain compliant, assessment-ready operations.
Partner with Regional and Centre Managers to design and execute corrective and preventative action plans.
Validate that centres exit intervention ready to operate independently, without ongoing reliance.
About you
You're calm under pressure, credible with teams,



and confident making decisive calls in complex environments. With a robust background in operational turnaround and compliance management — ideally in early education — you thrive on getting services back on track and empowering leaders to succeed.
To succeed, you'll bring:
Proven experience stabilising and improving performance in regulated or multi-site environments (ECEC experience highly regarded).
Strong working knowledge of the
National Quality Framework
,
National Law
, and
Regulations
.
Demonstrated ability to coach and build capability in Centre Managers and teams.
Confidence to act quickly and decisively where child safety or compliance is at risk.
Exceptional communication, influencing, and problem-solving skills.
A resilient, agile, and pragmatic mindset — comfortable working autonomously and adapting to different centre contexts.
Why you'll love working with us
Make a genuine impact in services where your leadership is needed most.
Work alongside a passionate national network of early education and operations specialists.
Enjoy flexibility, variety, and the opportunity to drive visible, lasting improvement.
Competitive remuneration, travel support, and professional development opportunities.
A values-led culture where child safety, quality, and people come first.
At
Affinity Education Group
, every child deserves a centre that's safe, compliant, and thriving — and every leader deserves the support to get there. If you're ready to lead change on the front line and help services return to excellence,
#J-*****-Ljbffr

📌 Operations Specialist (Excellence) (New South Wales)
🏢 Affinity Education Group
📍 New South Wales