Centre Director | Ballarat VIC

Centre Director | Ballarat VIC This provider is led by highly experienced early childhood professionals with more than 30 years of leadership expertise shaping their approach. They invest deeply in professional development, offering genuine growth, coaching, and support for their teams. Expectations are high, but so are the rewards – they give their leaders the tools, trust, and investment to thrive.

About The Role Step in as Centre Director, where you will inspire excellence, empower your team, and foster a strong sense of belonging. This 118-place centre requires an experienced early childhood professional with a commitment to delivering the highest standards of quality and care. Your leadership will set the tone for a thriving, supportive, and community-focused environment.

What's on Offer

Attractive salary package

Be part of a team that genuinely

lives its values

and places

children’s safety and wellbeing first

Access

hands‑on leadership guidance , ongoing mentoring, and tailored

career development

opportunities

Work within a

beautifully equipped centre , supported by a

reliable and connected team

across the network

Step into a role where your

leadership creates real impact

for children, families, and educators

Join an organisation that champions

inclusion , supports

wellbeing , and builds

strong, respectful relationships

About You

You are

authentic, warm, and passionate

about creating environments where children and educators thrive.

You are a

natural communicator

who builds trust with families, teams, and the wider community.

You are

driven, proactive, and supportive , celebrating others’ success and lifting those around you.

You’re

community‑minded , relationship‑focused, and confident engaging with local networks and partners.

You are

highly organised , with excellent attention to detail and a calm, solution‑focused approach.

You’re a

strong and professional leader

– articulate, commercial, emotionally intelligent, and confident in decision‑making.

You hold a

Diploma or Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (ACECQA‑approved) ; or are actively working towards a degree qualification.

You bring

proven leadership experience

in a long day care or early learning setting (Centre Manager, Assistant Director, or similar).

You have strong, practical knowledge of the

NQF, NQS, EYLF 2.0 , and can translate these into daily practice and continuous improvement.

You demonstrate a strong commitment to

Child Safe Standards

and embed safeguarding into everyday culture and decisions.

You hold current

First Aid, CPR, Asthma & Anaphylaxis

certifications.

You hold a valid

Working With Children Check

(or are able to obtain one).

Key Responsibilities

Lead, coach, and inspire a high‑performing team through clear expectations, mentoring, and professional development.

Champion a strong Child Safe culture, ensuring all practices, environments, and decisions prioritise child safety and comply with National Child Safe Standards.

Oversee daily operations, including staffing, rostering, enrolments, compliance, facilities management, and health & safety.

Drive quality practice aligned to the NQS, embedding reflective practice, pedagogical leadership, and readiness for A&R.

Ensure compliance with the NQF, Education and Care Services National Regulations, policies, risk management processes, and reporting obligations.

Build trusted and respectful relationships with families, supporting communication, inclusion, and community engagement.

Manage centre performance, including occupancy growth, budget oversight, fee management, and KPI achievement.

Foster a positive team culture, promoting wellbeing, engagement, accountability, and collaborative problem‑solving.

Lead smooth recruitment, onboarding, and induction of educators to maintain ratio compliance and workforce stability.

Champion continuous improvement, using data, audits, and feedback to strengthen practice and outcomes.

Represent the service professionally, maintaining strong partnerships with local agencies, stakeholders, and the community.

Why Apply with SSR Unmatched Expertise: We understand leadership on a profound level, thanks to our deep knowledge and commitment to this sector. Passion‑Driven: Our core values – passion, collaboration and transparency – drive everything we do. We partner with providers who share our values, ensuring a perfect fit for your leadership journey. Exclusive Insight: Our focused approach means we know the intricacies of leadership roles and respect their significance. Our in‑depth knowledge of the ECEC sector sets us apart, ensuring that we place the right leaders in roles where they can thrive. Proven Success: With a track record of placing hundreds of candidates in a diverse range of providers across Australia, we’re dedicated to finding the right match for both candidates and clients. Our dedication to our values has been the cornerstone of our success, and it will continue to guide us in the future.

How to Apply To express your interest, submit your resume and/or email us at

Jenny@ss-recruitment.com.au . Let SSR be your partner in finding the perfect leadership opportunity that aligns with your skills and aspirations!

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