Centre Manager - Great salary and stacks of benefits

Are you a confident, people-focused leader ready to take the next step in your early childhood career in a thriving coastal community?

This is an outstanding opportunity for an experienced Assistant Centre Manager or Educational Leader to transition into a Centre Manager position. You will receive genuine support, structured leadership development, and the autonomy to make the service your own — all within comfortable driving distance of Melbourne.

Salary: $100,000 – $120,000 + super + incentives (experience dependent)

Benefits

• Generous above-average salary package
• Applicable Worker Retention Payments (subject to eligibility)
• Flexible roster design supporting genuine work-life balance
• Weekly achievable performance-based incentives
• Clear career progression with one of Australia's most progressive early childhood providers
• Full operational support from an experienced local Area Manager
• Responsive Head Office support across HR, compliance, maintenance and recruitment
• Discounted childcare for team members
• Structured professional development, including leadership training and scholarship opportunities
• Fast-tracked career pathways (for example: Area Manager, State Quality Advisor)
• Supportive, well-being-focused culture with strong educator retention

At Early Years Talent, we connect early childhood professionals with services that truly put people first. Expect above-award remuneration, meaningful mentoring, and a strong commitment to sustainable work-life balance within a welcoming regional community.

About the opportunity

Located in the heart of Lakes Entrance, just a short drive from Bairnsdale, this well-established early learning service caters for up to 65 children.

The service offers:

• spacious, light-filled learning environments
• a thoughtfully designed outdoor space
• strong community connections
• a collaborative and committed team

The service is currently rated Meeting the National Quality Standard and is well positioned for its next phase of quality growth under confident leadership.

This role is largely off the floor, allowing you to focus on team leadership, service quality, and operational excellence while being fully supported by an experienced Area Manager.

About you

You are a calm, emotionally intelligent leader who understands that high-quality early learning is built through strong relationships, operational discipline, and consistent pedagogical practice.

You likely bring:

• Diploma or Bachelor qualification in Early Childhood Education (ACECQA approved)
• Minimum two years of leadership experience in long day care, preschool, or kindergarten
• Strong working knowledge of the National Quality Framework and Early Years Learning Framework
• Demonstrated experience supporting or leading Assessment and Rating
• Ability to build trusted relationships with educators, families, and the broader community
• Excellent communication, organisation, and time management capability
• Composed, solutions-focused approach when navigating change

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Strong Assistant Centre Managers and Educational Leaders ready to step up are encouraged to apply.

Not completely sure?

That is absolutely fine. If this role has sparked your interest, we encourage you to apply or reach out for a confidential discussion. Sometimes the right opportunity begins with exploring a maybe.

About Early Years Talent

Early Years Talent partners exclusively with early childhood educators, teachers, and leaders to connect them with permanent roles that align with their values and career goals.

Our clients include exceeding-rated early learning services, community-managed not-for-profits, independent schools, and progressive national providers.

Your next highly experienced Centre Manager is already in our network | Specialist early childhood recruitment with Early Years Talent