Centre Director | Greater Geelong Area An exciting opportunity is available for an experienced Centre Director to take the lead of a newly opened, purpose-built early learning service in the Greater Geelong area.

The centre has been thoughtfully designed to provide beautiful, engaging learning environments for children and educators and is now looking for an experienced leader to establish strong foundations across people, culture, quality, operations and community engagement.

This is an opportunity to make your mark on a new service at an important stage of its journey. You will have the autonomy to shape the centre's culture and leadership approach, while being supported by an experienced broader leadership team.

About the Role

As Centre Director, you will take overall responsibility for the day-to-day leadership and operation of the service.

With the centre newly opened, an immediate priority will be establishing consistency, building a strong team culture and ensuring educators feel supported, accountable and connected to the vision for the service.

Your responsibilities will include:

- Provide strong day-to-day leadership across all areas of the service.
- Build, mentor and develop a capable and engaged team of educators.
- Recruit, onboard and induct new team members as the service continues to grow.
- Establish a positive, professional and collaborative centre culture.
- Maintain strong standards across compliance, quality and operational performance.
- Lead the service in line with the NQS, regulations and organisational expectations.
- Work closely with the Educational Leader to support high-quality pedagogy and educational practice.
- Build strong relationships and open communication with children,



families and educators.
- Drive enrolment growth through family engagement, centre tours and strong community connections.
- Build the centre's reputation and visibility within the local community.
- Oversee rostering, staffing and the effective day-to-day operation of the service.
- Support educator performance, development and accountability.
- Identify opportunities for continuous improvement and ensure agreed actions are followed through.
- Work collaboratively with the broader leadership team while taking genuine ownership of the centre.

What's on Offer

- The opportunity to lead a brand-new, purpose-built service during its formative stage.
- Shape the culture, standards and reputation of the centre as it grows.
- Beautiful, architecturally designed learning environments created to support high-quality early childhood education.
- Build and develop your own leadership team and broader educator group.
- Support from an experienced senior leadership structure.
- The autonomy to bring your ideas, experience and leadership style to the service.
- Opportunity to build strong connections within the Greater Geelong community.
- Lead a centre positioned for continued enrolment growth and long-term success.

About You





We are looking for an experienced Centre Director who understands that successfully leading a newly opened service requires more than managing day-to-day operations.

You will be comfortable creating structure, setting expectations and bringing people together around a shared vision.

Ideally, you will bring:

- Proven experience as a Centre Director, ideally within a large service or newly established centre.
- Demonstrated ability to lead, develop and retain a solid team.
- Strong knowledge of the NQS, National Regulations and early childhood compliance requirements.
- A sound understanding of high-quality pedagogy and educational practice.
- Confidence managing staffing, rostering, performance and operational priorities.
- Experience supporting occupancy growth and building relationships with prospective families.
- A warm, engaging and professional approach to family and community partnerships.
- Strong communication, organisation and problem-solving skills.
- A leadership style that combines support and collaboration with clear expectations and accountability.
- The maturity and resilience to lead a service through its early stages of growth.
- Local knowledge of the Greater Geelong area would be highly advantageous.

If you are an experienced Centre Director who enjoys building teams, creating culture and establishing high standards, this is an opportunity to take ownership of a newly opened service and play a significant role in shaping what it becomes.

For a confidential discussion, please contact:

Selina Stanley

SSR Recruitment

0449 865 003

[email protected]

Let SSR Recruitment help you discover a leadership opportunity that aligns with your experience, aspirations and passion for quality early education.

📌 Centre Manager Greater Geelong Area
🏢 Selina Stanley Recruitment
📍 Geelong