Company description

The NSW Department of Education is the largest provider of public education in Australia with responsibility for delivering high-quality public education to two-thirds of the NSW student population. For more information about the NSW Department of Education, please visit https://education.nsw.gov.au/

Who we are The NSW Early Learning Commission (Commission), established as the independent regulator for early childhood education and care (ECEC) in New South Wales on 1 December 2025, is responsible for regulating more than 6,000 ECEC services across the state.

Our role is to ensure services meet high standards of safety, quality, and compliance through ongoing assessment, monitoring and enforcement.

The Commission places children at the centre of all decision-making, working to ensure they are safe, respected, and supported to thrive in high-quality early learning environments that promote their development, wellbeing, and lifelong learning. It also drives continuous improvement across the sector through evidence-informed regulation and reform to strengthen community confidence in ECEC services.

The Commission respects and values Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Peoples of Australia.

- A recruitment talent pool will be created for future temporary and ongoing opportunities
- Be part of a team committed to delivering safe and positive outcomes for children and families
- Located in Statewide with flexible working arrangements available
- Salary ranges from $ 154,231 to $178,369 p.a. plus superannuation and annual leave loading

About the role The role leads an operational team responsible for delivering critical regulatory functions that ensures ECEC services are regulated safely, consistently and effectively, to support high-quality education and positive outcome for children. This includes quality assessment and rating and regulation under the National Quality Framework (NQF) In this role you will:

- Oversee and monitor team delivery on core regulatory functions, including quality of assessment and rating and compliance of ECEC services and providers under the National Quality Framework (NQF)
- Drive team engagement, communication and capability development to build a knowledgeable, consistent and high-performing team
- Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to identify improvements on consistent regulatory practice and outcomes. Manage and influence stakeholders in a regulatory environment
- Provide strategic advice and guidance on complex investigative matters

For further information please click here to view the role description

About you

You bring extensive experience leading regulatory functions in complex, high-risk, and high-impact environments. Your ability to build and lead high-performing teams, navigate complex and sensitive issues, and drive consistent, risk-based regulatory practice will be critical to ensuring safe,



high-quality education and care for children.

To be successful, you will have:

- Proven operational leadership experience with the ability to lead, develop capability and foster a collaborative team culture
- Strategic and critical thinking skills to identify issues, trends, and risks, and implement continuous improvements.
- Demonstrated understanding of early childhood education and care program and practice and a commitment to the value of early childhood education and care and the National Quality Framework.
- The ability to apply sound regulatory judgement to make timely, risk and evidence-based decisions
- Outstanding communication and stakeholder engagement skills to navigate difficult conversations, prepare high-quality documents and build effective relationships

Applicants will be required to declare and provide details of any investigation(s) that they have been subject to, at any time, personally as an employee of an ECEC service or as a Responsible Person. Applicants are also required to declare any personal or skilled conflicts of interest with current or former NSW Early Learning Commission employees, approved providers and ECEC services. Essential requirements of the role

- Tertiary qualifications in a relevant discipline or demonstrated equivalent knowledge, skills and experience.
- A valid driver licence and willingness and ability to travel as required to meet the needs of the role.
- Current and valid Working with Children Check (WWCC) clearance for paid employment.

Advantages

- Flexible working arrangements
- 35 hour working week
- Competitive remuneration, salary sacrificing, employer's contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading
- Flex Leave entitlements, generous holidays & leave conditions
- Health & Wellbeing and Employee Assistance Programs.
- Opportunities for advancement and mobility across the Early Learning Commission to support your career growth

How to apply If excited by the information above, we look forward to receiving your application, including a copy of your resume (maximum 5 pages) and a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) outlining how you meet the requirements and capabilities of this role.

Applicants are also required to provide responses to the two pre-screening questions below, as part of the online application process:

Question 1

Describe a situation when you identified a significant sector-wide risk and developed a strategic regulatory response. Describe how you ensured compliance with relevant legislation and organisational policies, balanced competing risk, stakeholder,



and policy considerations, and evaluated the effectiveness and sustainability of the outcome. (max 400 words)

Question 2

Describe a time you provided positive feedback that motivated and supported a team member's growth. How did you include constructive feedback, ensuring clear communication and fostering development aligned with organisational goals. (max 400 words)

Applicants are encouraged to prepare their application materials independently. The selection panel values authentic and personally written responses that reflect your own experience, insights and alignment with the Department's values and priorities.

Please refer to the Applicant's Guide to Applying to assist you with your application.

If you are an existing Education Support Staff (corporate staff) with the NSW Department of Education or NSW Early Learning Commission, click here for instructions on how to submit your application.

All other applicants please submit your application by clicking ‘Apply Now'.

Note: the selection process will include a range of assessment techniques to assist in determining your suitability for the role. Successful candidates will be required to undertake pre-employment screening for this role which includes a National Criminal History Check.

This is a child-related role. As a condition of employment you will be required to provide a valid Working with Children Check (WWCC) Clearance number (for paid employment). Visit the website for more information.

Candidates must have Australian work rights (citizens, permanent residents, New Zealand citizens or a valid work visa). Ongoing (permanent) roles are open to Australian citizens and permanent residents and New Zealand citizens, while temporary roles welcome applicants with a visa.

Closing date Sunday 13 September 2026 at 11:59pm.

For role enquiries please contact Amanda Draper at [email protected] and for recruitment process enquiries please contact Jenny Nguyen at [email protected]

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including but not limited to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, people of any age or gender, people from culturally and linguistically diverse groups and/or from the LGBTQIA+ community, veterans, refugees, people with disability, people with sensory differences, and neurodiverse people. If we can make some adjustments to our recruitment/interview process to better help you shine, please reach out to the contact person for this recruitment, details listed above. For more information, visit the NSW Department of Education's Diversity, equity and inclusion webpage.

A recruitment pool will be created through this process for ongoing and temporary opportunities in the same or similar roles. The pool will consist of applicants assessed as suitable, who may be considered for temporary, term or ongoing positions over the next 18 months.

📌 Manager, Statewide Operations - Talent Pool (Parramatta)
🏢 Department Of Education
📍 Parramatta