Assistant Centre Director – Templestowe, VIC We are seeking a passionate and confident Early Childhood leader to join a well-established early learning service in Templestowe as part of a collaborative Co-Director leadership model. This is a unique opportunity for a leader who values shared leadership, professional trust, and strong operational support. The structure has been intentionally designed to ensure leaders are supported, visible, and empowered within a stable and well-resourced environment. Rather than a traditional single-director model, this service operates with two Co-Directors and dedicated administrative support, creating a highly collaborative and balanced leadership structure focused on quality outcomes, educator wellbeing, and service excellence. About the Company A family-owned and operated provider led by an experienced Approved Provider with a strong background in Early Childhood Education. The organisation is built on a foundation of child safety, quality learning outcomes, and strong operational leadership. The broader leadership structure includes dedicated HR and Operations support, ensuring services are well-supported across compliance, recruitment, and workforce development. The ownership team remains actively engaged in the day-to-day success and long-term growth of each service. The Role As part of the centre’s leadership team, you will work closely alongside two experienced Co-Directors in a shared leadership model. One Director brings extensive long-term 2IC and operational experience, highly regarded for structure, organisation, and consistency in service delivery. The second Director brings strong leadership capability and has been instrumental in guiding the centre’s continued growth and positive culture. This role sits within a structured 2IC-style scope while offering genuine leadership exposure, mentorship, and professional development within a supportive environment. Your responsibilities will include: Collaborative Leadership & Team Development Work alongside the leadership team to guide, mentor, and support educators, fostering a culture of accountability, reflection, and continuous improvement. Operational & Compliance Leadership Support the day-to-day operations of the service, ensuring strong alignment with the National Quality Framework, policies, and regulatory standards. Educational Leadership Contribute to the development and implementation of high-quality early childhood practice, ensuring consistent programming and strong pedagogical outcomes across rooms. Culture & Team Engagement Help build a positive, stable, and professional workplace culture that values collaboration, communication, and educator wellbeing. Family & Community Connections Support meaningful relationships with families, ensuring a welcoming, inclusive, and community-focused service environment. You will work a rotating early and late shift structure across a 38-hour week, with strong leadership presence across the full span of the day to ensure consistent support and operational coverage. What’s on Offer A market-aligned salary package that reflects your leadership, experience, and the positive impact you bring to children and teams. Strong leadership mentoring and collaborative Co-Director structure Dedicated operational, HR, and administrative support Purpose-built, established service with strong foundations Supportive, family-owned provider with active leadership engagement Stable and well-resourced early learning environment About You We are seeking a confident, reflective, and values-driven Early Childhood leader who brings: Experience in an Assistant Director, or Centre Leadership role Strong understanding of the National Quality Framework and compliance requirements Ability to lead with calmness, clarity, and consistency A collaborative mindset and genuine enjoyment of shared leadership Strong communication and relationship-building skills Passion for high-quality early childhood education and care Alignment with a professional, child-safe, and quality-focused culture If you’re ready to step into a leadership role where you can make a meaningful, long-term impact for children, families, and your team, we’d love to hear from you. For further information, please contact: Tano – gaetano@ss-recruitment.com.au At SSR, we’re here to connect you with leadership opportunities that truly align with your values, strengths, and passion for high-quality early childhood education.
