Childcare Jobs - Support office, Full Time - Melbourne VIC, Australia

This position is responsible for ensuring strong financial sustainability, compliance, and growth of AEG’s centres within their designated area/s, through the provision of effective and professional operational leadership. As an Operation Manager you may at times assist the State Manager with additional leadership responsibilities across the state, and you will have clear responsibilities under six key result areas – quality, compliance, occupancy, debt, rostering, and people development (6-point centre plan).

 The Role:

• Conduct bi-monthly visits to all centres within your area, ensuring effective oversight and completion of centre reviews using the 6-Point Centre Plan.
• Hold Area Managers and Centre Managers accountable for completing tasks and achieving goals outlined in the 6-Point Centre Plan.
• Regularly review and analyse area performance using the AEG Pulse Dashboard to identify improvement opportunities, measure outcomes, and evaluate performance across key responsibilities.
• Implement effective turnaround strategies for centres facing challenges, leveraging operational and support functions to enhance viability.
• Maintain a high standard of service delivery for families and stakeholders within the area.
• Analyse financial performance through the AEG Pulse Dashboard and monthly profit and loss statements, implementing strategies to achieve EBITDA targets.
• Collaborate with senior managers to recover outstanding invoices and consult with your supervisor as required.
• Approve payments, credit card transactions, and timesheets accurately and promptly.
• Partner with Quality Advisors to ensure all centres meet or exceed National Quality Standards and the National Quality Framework, aligning with the Quality Action Plan.
• Drive and evaluate occupancy initiatives across the area to optimise success.
• Lead the achievement of budget targets within the area, contributing to budget development, negotiation, and management.
• Monitor and approve time and attendance records with accuracy and timeliness.
• Lead efforts to meet target Wages to Revenue (WTR) percentages on a weekly basis.
• Represent the AEG brand with professionalism, embodying its mission and values while effectively communicating senior management directives to staff.
• Foster a values-driven and safe work environment that attracts, engages, and retains talented employees.

Benefits: 

• Attractive salary package
• Flexible working arrangement
• 50% discount on childcare gap fees
• Fitness and Lifestyle Group memberships
• A professional culture and supportive work environment
• Career advancement opportunities

About you! 

• A minimum of 5 years successful record of accomplishment as a field manager across a dispersed network in a service-related industry.
• Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care.
• Strong level of commercial acumen
• Current Working with Children Check or equivalent, or the ability to obtain this.
• Current VIC Driver's Licence.
• Commercial management experience in a service-related industry such as retail or hospitality.
• Multi-site childcare experience an advantage.
• Sound keyboard and computer literacy skills.
• Ability to oversee the planning and implementation of work programs, maintain relevant records and control budgets.
• Excellent time management and attention to detail skills
• A `can do’ positive outlook with a strong team focus.

Why work for Affinity? 

Affinity Education Group (AEG) is a leading early education and childcare provider, currently operating more than 230 centres across Australia, and over 6,000 staff. Our goal is to instill a lifelong love of learning in every child who attends our centres in their first five years. We believe all our employees contribute to creating a sense of belonging through cooperation, teamwork, and winning attitudes. In addition, we’re dedicated to providing a safe environment for our families, employees, and communities through our professionalism and respect for one another. 

Who we are:

We offer a professional yet fun environment when interacting with our families, communities, and employees, through living our Affinity Values – Creating Shining Stars, Deliver Outstanding Professionalism, Being Completely Connected, Going Above and Beyond, Living the Team Spirit and Having Serious Fun!

Permanent Full-time position, Monday to Friday, 38 hours per week, based in Melbourne.

Feel positive. Feel proud. Make new friends. IT’S YOUR TIME TO SHINE - Apply now!

At Affinity, we are dedicated to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace where every individual is treated with respect and dignity. We believe that diversity enhances our ability to serve the children, families, and communities we support. Our Safety Commitment prioritises the safety, rights, and wellbeing of children, as well as the rights and responsibilities of our employees and their families.