Lead with purpose. Shape the future of early education. We’re seeking an experienced and inspiring Regional Manager to lead a high-performing portfolio of 15–20 early education centres — supporting around 500–800 educators . This is a pivotal leadership opportunity for a commercially astute, people-first leader passionate about unlocking potential in others and delivering exceptional outcomes for children, families, and teams. The role As a key link between strategy and centre operations, you’ll empower Centre Managers to deliver exceptional quality, safety, and performance. Partnering closely with the Director of Operations and functional experts across People & Culture, Quality, Risk, Finance, and Education , you’ll drive regional excellence across every dimension — child-first practice, compliance, culture, and operational outcomes. In this role, you will: Lead, coach, and develop Centre Managers to build capability, engagement, and performance. Uplift quality and compliance to ensure all centres achieve Meeting or Exceeding NQS ratings. Champion a child-safe, inclusive, and high-performing culture built on trust and empowerment. Partner with cross-functional teams to deliver Affinity’s transformation and continuous improvement agenda. Use data and insights to identify opportunities, mitigate risk, and strengthen operational outcomes. Build engagement and confidence with families, regulators, and communities across your region. About you You’re a confident, values-driven leader with a genuine passion for early education and operational excellence. With a proven ability to lead through others, you bring strong commercial acumen, deep understanding of compliance frameworks, and a belief that culture drives results. To succeed, you’ll bring: 7 years’ experience in regional or multi-site leadership (education, retail, health, or similar service sectors). Proven success managing a portfolio of 10 sites. Strong understanding of the National Quality Framework (NQF) , National Quality Standards (NQS) , and the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) . Demonstrated capability in leading large teams (500) and improving quality, compliance, and engagement outcomes. Exceptional coaching, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills. Qualifications in Business, Management, or a related field (Diploma or higher preferred). Current Working with Children Check and National Police Check . Why you’ll love working with us Opportunities for professional growth and career progression. Supportive, flexible working culture focused on balance and wellbeing. Discounts on childcare fees and access to health, wellbeing, and lifestyle benefits. A values-driven organisation where children and people come first. At Affinity Education, we’re united by our mission to ensure every child thrives in a safe, nurturing, high-quality learning environment. If you’re ready to lead transformation and build exceptional teams, apply today and be part of shaping the future of early education. Back to job listing
