At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead daily operations and support educators in a vibrant early childhood environment.
- Company: Join Hawthorn Early Years, a community-focused early childhood service.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, supportive leadership, and a chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Be part of a welcoming workplace that values diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Shape the future of early childhood education while working with a passionate team.
- Qualifications: Diploma or Bachelor in Early Childhood Education and at least three years in leadership.
The predicted salary is between 43650 - 53350 $ per year.
Hawthorn Early Years (HEY) is seeking an experienced and highly organised Centre Manager to join our leadership team. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced early childhood professional who thrives on bringing people, systems and operations together. You’ll be a visible and approachable leader across the service, supporting our educators, children and families while ensuring our day-to-day operations run smoothly, safely and consistently.
HEY is a not-for-profit, community-based early childhood service offering long day care and sessional programs for children aged 0–6 years. We are proud to be rated Exceeding the National Quality Standard across all seven Quality Areas, with a strong commitment to respectful relationships, play-based learning, inclusion and genuine partnerships with families.
About the role
Working closely with the Centre Director, Business Manager, HR and Educational Leaders, you will take a key role in the operational leadership of HEY. Your responsibilities will include:
- Leading daily service operations, staffing and workforce coordination.
- Developing and managing staff rosters and responding to daily staffing changes.
- Monitoring ratios, attendance, room numbers and operational requirements.
- Providing a visible and supportive leadership presence across the service.
- Being a key point of contact for educators, families, visitors and professionals.
- Supporting staff wellbeing, performance and professional conduct processes.
- Coordinating incidents, hazards, risk assessments and follow‑up actions.
- Supporting compliance, audits, Assessment & Rating and continuous improvement.
- Supporting onboarding, students, service projects and events.
- Improving operational systems, workflows and communication.
- Working collaboratively with the Centre Director and assuming delegated operational responsibilities when required.
The position has significant involvement across staffing, front‑office operations, leadership, risk and compliance, while serious incidents, regulatory matters and other sensitive issues are escalated through the Centre Director.
About you
We’re looking for someone who is calm, capable, organised and people‑focused. You’ll bring:
- An ACECQA-approved Diploma or Bachelor qualification in Early Childhood Education and Care.
- A minimum of three years’ experience in an early childhood leadership or coordination role.
- Strong experience with rostering, staffing and daily operational management.
- Sound knowledge of the National Quality Framework.
- Strong communication, organisation and problem‑solving skills.
- The ability to confidently manage competing priorities within a busy early childhood environment.
- A current Working with Children Check.
- Current First Aid, CPR, Anaphylaxis and Asthma training, or willingness to obtain these.
- Experience with service management systems such as 1Place, XAP and ADP is desirable.
- Experience within a community‑based or not‑for‑profit early childhood service governed by a parent Board will be highly regarded.
Why join Hawthorn Early Years?
This is an opportunity to join an established service with a strong community identity and an experienced leadership structure. You’ll have the opportunity to make a genuine impact on how the service operates each day — strengthening systems, supporting our people and contributing to an environment where educators can focus on delivering quality outcomes for children. You won’t be doing it alone. The Centre Manager works collaboratively with a Leadership Team of the Centre Director, Business Manager, HR and Educational Leaders, providing clear operational leadership while being supported by the broader HEY team.
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: Hawthorn, Victoria
Remuneration: Negotiated salary + superannuation
Hawthorn Early Years is an equal opportunity employer and has zero tolerance for child abuse. We are committed to providing a safe, inclusive and child‑focused environment, and all employees are expected to actively uphold our Child Safety policies, procedures and Code of Conduct. Hawthorn Early Years is committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming workplace where everyone feels respected, valued and supported. We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, cultures, identities, abilities and experiences. If you are excited about the opportunity and believe you can contribute to our community, we would love to hear from you.
Centre Manager – Early Childhood Education & Care in Melbourne employer: Hawthorn Early Years
Hawthorn Early Years (HEY) is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work culture where you can truly make a difference in the lives of children and families. With a strong commitment to professional development and a focus on employee wellbeing, HEY provides opportunities for growth within a community-based, not-for-profit environment that values inclusion and respect. Join us in Hawthorn, Victoria, where your leadership will help shape quality early childhood education and care while being part of a dedicated team that prioritises safety and child-focused practices.
