Build your brighter future with Buttercups Childcare!
Buttercups is one of Western Australia's leading childcare providers, operating a network of centres across Perth. We are committed to providing exceptional early learning experiences while building a high-performing, values-driven organisation.
We are seeking an experienced Senior Operations Manager to provide senior operational leadership across our growing network of centres.
This is a rare opportunity to join a dynamic team and make a significant impact leading a multi-site operating model that puts children, families and educators at the centre of everything we do.
The Opportunity: Senior Operations Manager
Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, you will lead our operational management structure, with Area Managers, the Operations Support Manager and Marketing Officer reporting directly to you. You will be accountable for translating strategy into clear operational plans, driving accountability and high performance across all regions and centres, and ensuring every service delivers the Buttercups philosophy and standards.
This role carries broad ownership of quality, compliance and governance, occupancy and marketing performance, along with child safeguarding across the network. It's a genuine leadership opportunity for someone who combines operational rigour with a deep commitment to child safety and educational quality.
We are seeking a senior operations leader who brings excellent experience, genuine care for children, families and educators, and the energy to help shape quality and culture across the organisation.
In this role, you will:
Strategic and Operational Leadership
Lead the operational function in support of the company's strategic and business goals
Translate strategy into clear operational plans, measures, accountabilities and reporting across all regions and centres
Provide high-level leadership to Area and Centre Managers, ensuring every service has the capability and resources to deliver the Buttercups philosophy and standard's
Maintain an operating model that is effective, scalable, quality-focused and responsive to organisational growth
Quality, Compliance and Governance




Chair the Operations Quality Committee, considering policy, procedure and pedagogy, and recommend decisions to the Chief Operating Officer
Develop, implement and report on compliance, internal audit and major incident systems
Ensure centres comply with the National Quality Framework and all legal, funding and statutory obligations
Act as the organisation's Privacy Officer, safeguarding private information across the business
Occupancy, Marketing and Community
Drive occupancy through effective enrolment processes, tours, marketing activity and community engagement
Develop and deliver the organisation's marketing and engagement strategy, budget and performance measures
Lead and support the Marketing Officer, approving campaigns, content and communications
Track enquiry, tour conversion and occupancy performance, and ensure consistent branding across all platforms
People, Culture and Capability
Model Buttercups values and build a culture that prioritises children, accountability and respectful conduct
Establish consistent induction and training systems so all employees understand policies, values and regulatory obligations
Coach, develop and performance manage operational leaders, and build talent pipelines to support growth and succession
Financial, Rostering and Resource Management
Ensure operational teams' roster in line with approved labour metrics, policies and regulatory ratios
Ensure operational teams work within approved budgets, reviewing P&L;, occupancy and labour economics
Oversee the effective allocation and maintenance of centre equipment, resources and environments
Health, Safety and Child Safeguarding
Ensure all centres comply with work health and safety requirements, protecting children, educators and visitors




Embed child-safe policies and practice in daily operations, in line with the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations
Actively promote child wellbeing and ensure the supervision framework is upheld at all times
What you'll bring to the table
Substantial senior childcare leadership experience in Childcare as an Area Manager, Regional Manager, General Manager or comparable multi-site early childhood operations role
Demonstrated success leading large, diverse teams and building high-performance cultures aligned with organisational strategy and values
Proven experience developing and managing company-wide systems, processes, budgets, operational frameworks and governance reporting
Strong commercial understanding of a growing childcare business, including occupancy, labour management, budgeting, enrolment performance and centre profitability
Demonstrated ability to embed regulatory compliance, quality assurance, internal audit and incident-management systems
Proven capability in staff induction, professional development, mentoring, performance management and talent pipeline development
Strong knowledge of the Child Care Subsidy system, service administration platforms and funding compliance
A relevant degree or diploma in Early Childhood Education, Business or Training Management (or equivalent), a valid Working with Children Check, and current First Aid, anaphylaxis and asthma management qualifications
Experience supporting new centre openings, acquisitions or integration activities is highly desirable
Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement and leadership skills
Why Buttercups?
Senior leadership role with genuine influence across operations, quality, marketing and people strategy
Opportunity to shape the future of a strong values-driven organisation
Work closely with the Executive Leadership Team on strategy, growth and organisational performance
Make a meaningful contribution to the lives of children and families across Western Australia
If you're an experienced childcare operations leader with a genuine passion for child safety, quality and culture, we'd love to hear from you.
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📌 Senior Operations Manager (Western Australia)
🏢 Buttercups Childcare
📍 Western Australia