Bannockburn location - perfectly positioned with an easy drive from Geelong, Ballarat and Melbourne, with free onsite parking Permanent full-time | Senior Leadership Opportunity | Total Remuneration Package $178,115 At Golden Plains Shire Council, we're building communities where people matter, connections thrive, and the future is bright.
We care We thrive We grow We're looking for a values-driven leader who is passionate about creating positive outcomes for children and families.
Someone who can bring people together, inspire high-performing teams, build trusted relationships, and navigate change with confidence.
This is an opportunity to make a genuine impact across a growing municipality at a time of significant prospect within the early years sector.
We're looking for a leader who...
You are someone who sees the bigger picture whilst never losing sight of the people at the heart of every decision.
You are an authentic and approachable leader who enjoys empowering others to succeed.
You bring a strategic mindset, can translate complex policy and sector reforms into meaningful action, and are comfortable influencing outcomes across a broad range of stakeholders.
Most importantly, you're passionate about supporting children and families and understand the critical role early years services play in helping communities thrive.
What you'll bring We're interested in the person behind the experience.
You'll be someone who can: • Provide strategic leadership across Maternal and Child Health and Early Years Management kindergarten services, ensuring high-quality, responsive, and compliant service delivery aligned to community needs.
• Drive service planning and innovation by identifying emerging community needs, leading continuous improvement, and shaping future-focused early years' service models.
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with key stakeholders,



including families, service providers, schools, and government agencies, to enhance service access, integration, and community outcomes.
• Lead a high-performing team, fostering a positive culture of accountability, professional development, and excellence in service delivery.
• Provide experience navigating policy, compliance and regulatory environments • Genuinely align with our values of Pride, Respect, Integrity, Collaboration and Excellence You'll also hold relevant tertiary qualifications in early childhood education and care, community services, health, education or a related discipline, along with significant leadership experience within child and family services, early years or a related field.
The opportunity As our Manager Children's Services, you'll be a key member of the Community Planning and Growth leadership team, reporting directly to the Director Community Planning and Growth.
You'll lead a diverse portfolio that includes Early Years Management Kindergartens, Maternal and Child Health and Community Immunisation services, while helping shape the future direction of children's services across the Shire.
This is more than an operational leadership role.
It's an opportunity to influence strategy, drive innovation, lead service reform and ensure our services continue to meet the evolving needs of our community.
Why Golden Plains?
We know that when our people thrive, our communities thrive too.
Our people are collaborative,



passionate and proud of the difference they make every day.
In return, we offer an environment where you can grow your career, contribute meaningfully and enjoy genuine flexibility.
With an Enterprise Agreement in place until ****, we offer: Flexible working arrangements that support a healthy work-life balance Learning and development opportunities aligned to your career aspirations Opportunities to work across a variety of projects and secondments Modern, high-quality facilities with free onsite parking A strong focus on health, safety and wellbeing Active Social Club Novated leasing options Transfer of service and Long Service Leave recognition (where applicable) Generous leave entitlements including: Up to 16 weeks primary and up to 3 weeks secondary parental leave Purchased leave Volunteer leave Ceremonial leave Reproductive leave Gender affirmation leave Family violence leave above NES minimums Interested?
For a confidential discussion, please contact Jonathan Daly, Director Community Planning and Growth, on ************.
Applications will be assessed as they're received, so we encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible.
Apply now by clicking the Apply button and following the prompts.
Please address the Key Selection Criteria in your cover letter or use the criteria to guide your responses within the online application process.
We encourage you to discuss any adjustments or support you may require throughout the recruitment process.
Please contact our People Culture team at ******.
Applications close: Friday 18 September at *****pm (if suitable applicant not found earlier).
If you have applied for this position in a previous recruitment process, we have your details on file and do not require a further application at this time.

📌 Manager Children'S Services (Victoria)
🏢 Golden Plains Shire Council
📍 Victoria