Job Title

Centre Director / Head of School | Eastern Suburbs, Melbourne | New serviceCentre Director / Head of School | Eastern Suburbs, Melbourne | New serviceWe''re supporting the appointment of a Centre Director/ Head of School to lead the establishment of a new early learning service in Melbourne''s Eastern Suburbs. This role sits at the intersection of education, leadership, and operations. It will suit an experienced early childhood professional who values clarity, accountability, and thoughtful decisionmaking and who is motivated by building something well, rather than quickly."Our job is to guide gently, to prepare an environment that invites curiosity, and to offer safe hands as children navigate learning through exploration, discovery, and experimentation. That''s where the magic of real education lives."- Gavin McCormack, Good Reading MagazineAbout the opportunityYou will have genuine authority over daytoday operational and educational decisions, with clear accountability for outcomes not layers of approval that distance leadership from practice. This service is being established with a clear educational philosophy and a strong emphasis on quality, consistency, and community trust. It is not driven by volume targets at the expense of practice, nor by constant program changes disconnected from what works on the ground.ResponsibilitiesLead the service from preopening through to operation.Build the founding team and set the tone for culture and practice.Establish strong relationships with families and the local community.Ensure operational, financial, and regulatory integrity from day one.This is a handson leadership role. It requires confidence in decisionmaking, comfort with responsibility, and the ability to balance vision with practical execution.What the role involves as a founding leaderLeading preopening activities including recruitment, enrolments, and community engagement.Establishing the service culture and expectations from the outset.Acting as the primary point of leadership for families, staff, and stakeholders.Ensuring compliance with the National Quality Framework and Victorian regulations.Overseeing daily operations, systems, and processes.Managing budgets, enrolments, and occupancy targets with accountability.Supporting highquality, childcentred practice across the service.Partnering with educators to maintain strong pedagogical standards.Observing practice, providing feedback, and supporting professional growth.Leading tours, information sessions, and enrolment conversations.Building a connected, informed parent community.Ensuring families experience consistent, respectful communication and service.This role will suit someone whoCompletes, ACECQA approved, Bachelor level qualification in Early Childhood Education (required).Has senior leadership experience in early childhood education of 5+ years (required).Understands the Australian ECEC landscape, including the NQF and regulatory requirements.Is confident leading people, systems, and outcomes.Values childled, developmentally informed education.Is comfortable working in a startup or establishment phase.Approaches leadership with professionalism, calm authority, and accountability.Montessori experience or alignment is highly regarded, but mindset, leadership maturity, and values alignment are critical.What you can expectA senior leadership role with real influence and responsibility.The opportunity to establish a service from the ground up.Clear expectations and structure, with professional trust in how outcomes are achieved.Competitive remuneration aligned with experience and performance.Ongoing professional development and access to external expertise that is used intentionally.A workplace culture built on respect, clarity, and shared standards.RemunerationPackage (base and super) in the range of $123,000 $145,000, depending on experience.Performance incentives linked to agreed milestones (up to $12K per year).Additional benefits including extensive professional development and family support (discount for your own children of up to 75% if required).Child SafeguardingLooking for an individual that will understand, adhere to, and promote The National Principles for Child Safe Organisations (the Child Safe Standards). In your position, you will help to take action to promote child wellbeing and prevent harm to children and young people.Child safeguarding methods for this position include, but are not limited to:Working With Children CheckThorough screening.Reference checks.A national criminal history check.How to applyApply via the link or reach out to the team at [email protected] for a confidential conversation. This appointment is being managed confidentially and exclusively by the Firefly HR team.If this role aligns with how you approach leadership and you''re interested in contributing to the establishment of a highquality service built with intention, we welcome your application. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for a conversation focused on mutual fit.Firefly HR Made by Educators, for EducatorsWe partner with services that do things differently, who lead with integrity, hold onto what matters and create workplaces educators deserve.#J-18808-Ljbffr