Full Job Description
One Tree Defence Unit - Tingira
Location: HMAS Albatross, Nowra NSW
Position: Director - Responsible Person (Diploma or Bachelor Qualified)
Salary: $46.09 - $53.70 (Inclusive of Worker Retention Payment) depending on experience & qualification
Required: Minimum 2 years experience
Employment type: Full time - 38hrs per week

Lead with Purpose. Build Community. Make a Difference.
Are you an experienced Early Childhood leader looking for more than just your next role?

Do you thrive in fast-paced environments, enjoy leading and developing teams, and want the opportunity to make a genuine impact within a close-knit community?

One Tree Community Services is seeking an exceptional Director to lead Tingira Defence Childcare Unit, located within HMAS Albatross, Nowra Hill on the beautiful NSW South Coast.

This is more than a childcare service. It is a community built on connection, integrity, resilience, and service. Every day, our team has the privilege of supporting Defence families who make significant sacrifices in service to our country. The role we play in providing high-quality education and care for their children is both meaningful and valued.

About us:
Located in the stunning Shoalhaven region, Tingira DCU offers the perfect opportunity for a sea change without compromising on career growth. Enjoy pristine beaches, national parks, coastal villages, and a relaxed lifestyle while leading a service that makes a real difference in the lives of children and families.

Tingira DCU is a 79-place service with a large and diverse team of educators and professionals who are passionate about providing quality outcomes for children. We are looking for a Director who can confidently lead a larger service, foster a positive and high-performing culture, and bring people together through strong leadership, clear communication, and shared purpose.

About the Opportunity
As Director, you will provide leadership across all aspects of service operations, including:

- Educational leadership and quality improvement
- Team leadership, mentoring, and professional development
- Recruitment, workforce planning, and onboarding
- Occupancy management and family engagement
- Compliance with the National Quality Framework and legislative requirements




- Building strong relationships with Defence families and the wider community
- Creating and maintaining a positive, child-safe organisational culture

About You
To be successful in this role, you will have:

- Approved Early Childhood qualification as recognised under the Education and Care Services National Regulations
- Previous experience as a director or senior leader within an Early Childhood Education and Care setting
- Demonstrated experience leading large teams and service operations
- Experience in recruitment, workforce planning, and team development
- Experience supporting occupancy growth, enrolments, and family engagement
- Strong knowledge of the National Quality Framework, National Regulations and National Law
- Excellent leadership, communication, and relationship-building skills
- A commitment to child safety, quality improvement, and continuous professional growth
- Current Working with Children Check and relevant clearances
- Required to be the - Responsible person, First aid officer, WHS officer, Nominated Supervisor

Essential criteria:

- Exceptional leadership and people management
- Ability to build, inspire and sustain high-performing teams
- Robust relationship-building and interpersonal skills
- Authentic, approachable and visible leadership style
- Excellent communication skills
- Strategic thinking balanced with hands-on leadership
- Resilience and adaptability in a dynamic environment
- Strong organisational and operational management skills
- Sound decision-making and problem-solving abilities
- Ability to lead through change with confidence and positivity
- Ability to foster a positive, inclusive and collaborative workplace culture
- Commitment to continuous improvement and quality outcomes
- Strong mentoring and coaching capability
- Ability to engage and influence diverse stakeholders




- Child-safe leadership and unwavering commitment to children's wellbeing

Desirable Skills & Attributes:

- Passion for delivering high-quality early childhood education and care
- Proven ability to develop, motivate and retain educators
- Experience building positive workplace culture
- Recruitment, workforce planning and talent development skills
- Occupancy growth and enrolment management experience
- Strong family and community engagement skills
- Educational leadership and quality improvement expertise
- Ability to confidently lead a large, multidisciplinary team
- High emotional intelligence and empathy
- Ability to bring people together around a shared vision
- Confidence balancing strategic priorities with day-to-day operations
- Ability to identify opportunities for service growth and innovation
- Strong understanding of compliance while maintaining a people-focused approach Commitment to professional learning and developing others Integrity, accountability and professionalism
- Positive attitude with a solution-focused mindset
- Ability to build trust quickly with staff, families and community stakeholders
- Confidence working autonomously while collaborating effectively with others
- Strong time management and prioritisation skills
- Adaptability to changing priorities and operational demands
- Genuine commitment to supporting Defence families and the wider community

Our Commitment to Child Safety
One Tree Community Services is committed to safeguarding children and young people and maintaining a culture where children feel safe, respected, valued, and heard.
The successful applicant will demonstrate a strong understanding of Child Safe Standards, child protection responsibilities, and their role in creating environments that prioritise the safety, wellbeing, and rights of every child.
We are seeking a leader who will actively promote a child-safe culture, ensure compliance with all legislative requirements, and champion best practice in child safety across the service.

How to Apply: Click 'Apply Now' and submit your application. We review applications promptly, so submit yours at your earliest convenience for a chance to progress to the next stage.
website: www.onetree.org.au for more information.

📌 Tingira - Director (Nowra)
🏢 One Tree Community Services
📍 Nowra