Details:
- Salary: £50,191 - Annum
- Job Type: Permanent
- Job Status: Full-Time
- Salary Per: Annum
- Location: Leeds West Yorkshire
- Date: 2 months ago
Description:
Operations Manager – Early Years & Childcare**
**Multi-Site Regional Role**
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**Salary:** Competitive + benefits
**Location:** UK-wide travel with overnight stays required
**Contract:** Full-time, permanent
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**The Role**
We are seeking a dynamic, commercially-minded Operations Manager to lead and develop a portfolio of nursery settings across multiple locations. You will be the strategic link between senior leadership and nursery managers, ensuring each site delivers exceptional childcare while operating as a profitable, sustainable business.
This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who combines a passion for early years education with sharp business acumen. You will drive quality, compliance, occupancy and financial performance across your region—while building the capability of your nursery management teams.
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**What You'll Do**
**Leadership & Quality**
- Provide visible, positive leadership to Nursery Managers across your region
- Ensure every setting delivers child-centred care with high standards of physical, emotional, social and intellectual development
- Embed and model best practice in line with EYFS and statutory frameworks
- Support professional development, performance management and succession planning for nursery leadership teams
**Business & Commercial Performance**
- Drive sustainable profitability through effective occupancy management, cost control and revenue growth
- Monitor and improve financial performance across your region; identify opportunities to add value
- Develop and execute local marketing plans, open days and engagement activities to attract and retain families
- Manage regional budgets, forecasting and resource planning
**Compliance & Safeguarding**
- Hold ultimate accountability for health & safety, safeguarding and regulatory compliance across all sites
- Ensure robust child protection procedures, staff vetting and safer recruitment practices
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of legislation, GDPR and sector standards
**Stakeholder & Partnership Management**
- Build effective relationships with external partners, local organisations and service users
- Represent the organisation at multi-agency forums and influence service delivery priorities
- Ensure seamless "front door" access arrangements and exceptional customer experience
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**What You Bring**
**Essential**
- Minimum Level 3 Early Years qualification (or equivalent)
- Significant experience managing multiple nursery settings or integrated early years services
- Proven track record of leading teams, managing budgets and delivering commercial results
- Deep knowledge of EYFS, statutory frameworks, safeguarding and inspection requirements
- Excellent communication, influencing and report-writing skills
- Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel extensively (overnight stays required)
**Desirable**
- Degree in Early Education, Childcare or Management
- Additional professional qualification in children and family services
- IOSH Managing Safely (or commitment to obtain)
- Experience of TUPE transfers and business change
- Knowledge of out-of-school clubs and wraparound care for primary-aged children
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**What We Offer**
- Competitive salary and benefits package
- Company-branded uniform provided
- Enhanced DBS check and update service
- Opportunity to shape and grow a respected early years portfolio
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**To Apply**
Please submit your CV and cover letter outlining your regional management experience and approach to driving quality and commercial performance in early years settings.
*This post requires a satisfactory enhanced DBS check. We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion