Are you an experienced leader ready to make a significant impact across multiple sites? Join Edge Early Learning as our Area Manager for South Australia and champion exceptional quality and safety standards across a portfolio of five centres, as we transition to operating on premium 1:9 ratios for three years and above, that prioritise child wellbeing and educational excellence.
We're looking for someone with deep leadership instincts — someone who takes genuine ownership, holds themselves and others accountable, and knows how to drive a culture of quality. While a background in early childhood education is highly valued, we also welcome strong leaders from relevant sectors such as NDIS, aged care, education, DVA, or other regulated care environments who bring transferable expertise and the hunger to champion exceptional outcomes for children and families.
This is more than a management role – it's your opportunity to be a guardian of quality early childhood education while enjoying the flexibility of a hybrid work arrangement that balances strategic time with meaningful centre visits focused on maintaining the highest standards of care.
What we Offer:
- A supportive, close knit operations and leadership team who genuinely have the best interests of our centres, educators and families at heart
- Competitive package
- Vehicle support – car allowance or company vehicle
- Technology package – laptop, mobile phone, and technology support
- Professional development - ongoing training and conference opportunities
- Career growth - clear progression pathways in our organisation
- Wellness support - employee assistance program and health initiatives
- Recognition programs - performance bonuses and achievement rewards
Your Impact:
As our Area Manager, you'll champion child safety and educational excellence by:
- Leading Child Safety: Maintain robust protection systems, mandatory reporting protocols, and safety-first culture across all five centres
- Driving Quality Excellence: Ensuring consistent implementation of National Quality Standards and Early Years Learning Framework, with our sector-leading educational program, Teach a Rainbow
- Developing Leaders: Mentor Centre Directors through coaching, weekly connection meetings, and professional development focused on quality practice and child safety
- Ensuring Compliance: Monitor regulatory frameworks, lead incident management, and collaborate with our Safety & Risk team on continuous improvement initiatives
- Supporting Growth: Develop innovative approaches that enhance educational outcomes while maintaining sustainable, high-quality operations
What You’ll Bring:
- Leadership, Ownership & Accountability (essential) — A proven track record of leading multi-site or multi-team operations with a strong sense of personal ownership, high standards, and the ability to hold yourself and others accountable
- Sector Experience — A background in early childhood education is highly valued; however, we welcome leaders from NDIS, aged care, education, DVA, or other regulated care or compliance-driven environments with clearly transferable skills
- Multi-Site Leadership — Proven track record as a senior leader managing multiple sites or service leaders, with the ability to drive consistency and culture across locations
- Quality & Safety Focus — Demonstrated experience improving underperforming teams or sites with a strong emphasis on quality, compliance, and safety outcomes
- Child Protection Knowledge — Strong understanding of (or the ability to rapidly develop capability in) mandatory reporting obligations, child safety frameworks, and incident management
- Regulatory Confidence — Experience navigating regulated environments; familiarity with National Quality Standards and Assessment & Rating processes is an advantage
- Tertiary qualifications in Early Childhood, Business, Management, or a relevant field
- Working with Children Check (Blue Card) or willingness to obtain
- Valid driver's licence
Ready to Make Your Mark?
If you're passionate about elevating early childhood education and ready to lead with purpose, we want to hear from you.
To Apply: Please submit your resume along with a covering page which specifically speaks to the specifications set out in this advert.
About Edge Early Learning
Since our founding in 2017, Edge Early Learning has been dedicated to providing exceptional early childhood education and care services across Southeast Queensland, South Australia, and the Australian Capital Territory. Edge is a large enough community to provide excellent support and investment, while still feeling like a small provider. We believe that building a passionate and skilled team is key to our success, and we're committed to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment.
Edge Early Learning is an equal opportunity employer that understands the importance of creating a diverse and inclusive work environment for our educators and families. We encourage applications from people from all ages, nationalities, abilities and cultures - including Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders people. We are committed to making reasonable adjustments to provide a barrier-free recruitment process.