Centre Director | Early Childhood Education & Care

$100,000-$130,000 + Super + Performance Bonuses*

Lead with Purpose. Shape a Brand-New Centre.

Are you an experienced early childhood leader ready to make a lasting impact from day one?

The Fern Balwyn North is a brand-new early learning centre seeking a passionate and driven Centre Director to lead the service from the ground up.

This is a unique opportunity to shape more than a centre - you'll help build its culture, lead and develop your team, establish strong relationships with families and the community, and create an environment where children thrive and educators grow.

As Centre Director, you'll have the opportunity to put your leadership vision into action from the very beginning, with the autonomy to build a high-performing team and establish a strong culture of quality, inclusion and excellence.

You’ll be supported by an experienced leadership team that genuinely invests in your success, while giving you the trust and autonomy to make your mark on a new service.

Why Join Us?

We recognise that exceptional leaders deserve exceptional support.

Joining a brand-recent centre means you'll have the rare opportunity to:

Build and shape the centre's culture from day one

Lead and develop your own high-performing team

Establish strong relationships with families and the local community

Set the standard for quality, inclusion and educational excellence

Help shape the centre's identity, reputation and future success

Make a lasting impact on a service from its very first chapter

What We Offer





Competitive salary package of $100,000-$130,000 + Super*

Performance-based bonus structure*

Ongoing leadership development and career progression opportunities

Access to wellbeing and mental health support programs

A collaborative and supportive leadership network

The opportunity to lead and shape a brand-new early learning service

Genuine autonomy, backed by an experienced and supportive leadership team

About the Role

As the Centre Director, you'll play a pivotal role in establishing and leading the new service, with responsibility for:

Leading and inspiring a team of educators to deliver exceptional educational outcomes

Recruiting, mentoring and developing a strong, engaged and high-performing team

Building meaningful relationships with children, families and the wider community

Establishing a positive and inclusive centre culture from day one

Driving compliance with the National Quality Framework and regulatory requirements

Managing centre operations, occupancy and team performance

Establishing effective systems, processes and quality practices across the service

Driving continuous improvement and creating a culture where excellence is the standard

About You

You are a confident,



values-driven leader who is passionate about early childhood education and excited by the opportunity to build something exceptional from the ground up.

You’ll bring:

Diploma, Advanced Diploma, Bachelor of Early Childhood Education, or equivalent approved qualification

Minimum 5 years' experience as a Centre Manager in an Early Learning Centre

Strong understanding of National Law, Regulations, National Quality Standards and the EYLF

Proven ability to lead, coach and develop high-performing teams

Excellent communication, relationship-building and organisational skills

Experience using childcare management systems and digital platforms

Most importantly, you're a leader who inspires others, leads with integrity and is excited by the opportunity to create an exceptional centre, team and experience from the very beginning.

Diversity & Inclusion

We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, cultures, identities, abilities and experiences, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

If you're ready to lead with purpose, shape a brand-new service and join an organisation that values your expertise, we'd love to hear from you.

Your application will include the following questions:

- Which of the following statements best describes your right to work in Australia?
- How many years' experience do you have as a centre director?
- Have you completed a Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care?

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📌 Centre Director / Centre Manager (Melbourne)
🏢 The Fern Early Learning Centres
📍 Melbourne