Assistant Director – Early Childhood Centre in Melbourne

Tradewind Australia is recruiting for an Assistant Centre Director/2ic for an “Exceeding” Early Learning Centre, based in Kew, Melbourne to start in September 2025. This is a permanent, ongoing position across Monday - Friday.

About the Role:

Tradewind Australia is partnering with a high-quality Early Learning Centre in Kew, Melbourne, to find a passionate and experienced Early Childhood Leader for a permanent, full-time assistant leadership opportunity. This role offers the chance to act as 2ic within a purpose-built "Exceeding" centre featuring exceptional indoor and outdoor learning environments, tailored to engage children from 6 weeks to school age. You will work closely with a supportive centre director and team of educators, sharing responsibility for open and close shifts, spending most of your time “off floor” in your role.

We are seeking either an experienced Assistant Centre Director ready for a fresh opportunity or a standout Educational Leader looking to step into a senior leadership role. If you're driven to make a meaningful impact in a welcoming, community-focused environment, we’d love to hear from you.

• Overseeing daily operations in the Centre Director’s absence
• Monitoring staff–child ratios, educator scheduling, and room transitions
• Maintaining safe, clean, and engaging environments that reflect the Reggio Emilia–inspired, play-based philosophy
• Supporting implementation of the Early Years Learning Framework and Reggio Emilia approach
• Collaborating with educators to plan and adapt learning experiences for children from 6 weeks to school age
• Ensuring programs build language, motor, cognitive, and social–emotional development
• Assisting with recruitment, onboarding, and performance reviews
• Supporting professional development and reflective practice
• Mentoring educators and fostering an inclusive, collaborative team culture
• Ensuring adherence to ACECQA, NQS, and regulatory requirements
• Building warm, respectful relationships with families
• Greeting children and families daily, responding to enquiries, and conducting tours
• Promoting inclusive practices that celebrate cultural diversity and multilingual engagement
• Assisting with budget monitoring, fee administration, and enrolments
• Supporting operational reporting and service occupancy
• Contributing to marketing initiatives to attract and retain families

Required Qualifications & Attributes:

• Diploma, Graduate Diploma, or Degree in Early Childhood Education (ACECQA approved)
• In-depth knowledge of the EYLF and National Quality Standards (NQS)
• Understanding of early childhood pedagogies – particularly play-based learning, Reggio Emilia
• Strong understanding of compliance, regulations, and Child Safe Standards applicable to Victorian early childhood services
• High level of written and verbal communication skills
• Strong computer and documentation skills – familiarity with Microsoft Office and digital tools such as Storypark
• Current Working with Children Check or VIT
• Approved First Aid Certificate including Asthma, CPR and Anaphylaxis training
• Current legal working rights in Australia

Skills & Experience:

• Proven leadership experience working in an Australian-based Early Learning setting as a 2ic, Assistant Director or Educational Leader
• Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor and inspire a diverse team of educators and support staff
• Excellent organisational, time management, and problem-solving skills
• Strong financial and operational management capabilities, including budgeting, staffing, and resource allocation
• Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills to build strong relationships with children, families, staff, and external stakeholders
• Commitment to continuous improvement, reflective practice, and ongoing professional development
• Ability to build meaningful relationships with children, colleagues and families

Tradewind Australia is committed to the safety, wellbeing, and inclusion of all children. Our Child Protection Policy and Code of Conduct ensure a safe environment for all children, including those with a disability, from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. All applicants will undergo rigorous reference and background checks, including a Working with Children Check, and identity verification. We encourage candidates to highlight any experience working with diverse children and communities.

Tradewind Australia is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, and those with lived experience.