_{10th September, 2026}

Assistant Centre Manager – Macarthur | South West Sydney

Some Assistant Centre Manager roles are about taking the next step.

This one is about bringing the experience you already have and becoming a genuine leadership partner.

We are partnering with an experienced privately owned early childhood provider seeking a confident Assistant Director/2IC for an established Long Day Care service in the Macarthur region.

The service has been through a significant period of positive change, with considerable investment in its people, culture, quality and relationships with families. There is good momentum behind the centre, and the next stage is about building on that progress, strengthening consistency and continuing to lift educator practice.

At the centre of this opportunity is a passionate and highly committed Centre Director who knows the service, its families and its team exceptionally well.

Our Client

Our client is a privately owned early childhood provider led by experienced operators with a genuine children-first philosophy.

Quality education and care sit at the heart of the organisation, alongside strong expectations around compliance, professionalism and accountability.
Their educational approach is child-led and play-based, influenced by Reggio Emilia and slow pedagogy. Educators are encouraged to be genuinely present with children, listen to their ideas and create meaningful learning experiences around children's interests rather than programming simply for documentation.
Inclusion, community, sustainability and nature-based experiences are also important elements of their philosophy.

The Role

As Assistant Director/2IC, you will work closely with the Centre Director as a genuine leadership partner. The service needs someone who already understands early childhood leadership and can confidently step into the role, make sound decisions and support the Director in maintaining high expectations.

A major focus will be coaching educators, strengthening consistency and ensuring expectations around quality, compliance and professional practice translate into what happens every day.

You will:

• Coach and mentor educators to strengthen practice.
• Build a positive, professional and accountable team culture.
• Confidently support compliance and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain a strong commitment to child safety.
• Set clear expectations and follow through when standards aren't being met.
• Navigate challenging conversations professionally and respectfully.
• Support educators to understand the reasoning behind policies and procedures.
• Be visible across the service and build strong relationships with children, families and educators.
• Provide hands-on coaching and support within rooms when required.

The intention is for both the Centre Director and Assistant Director/2IC to have significant time off the floor to lead the service effectively. You also be required to work alongside educators to provide coaching, support the team or assist operationally.

What's on Offer

• Negotiable - depending on experience.
• Work alongside an established and highly committed Centre Director.
• Genuine opportunity to operate as a second leader rather than simply a senior educator.
• Join a service that has already made considerable positive progress.
• Opportunity to influence team culture, quality and educator capability.
• Experienced and engaged provider with a children-first philosophy.
• A strong focus on child-led, play-based learning.
• Opportunity to contribute to the service's continued improvement and long-term success.

About You

We are looking for an experienced, grounded early childhood leader who is confident in their knowledge and comfortable having the conversations that leadership sometimes requires.

You will bring:

• Previous Assistant Manager, 2IC or comparable leadership experience.
• Strong knowledge of the NQF, National Regulations and compliance requirements.
• Confidence supporting regulatory visits and communicating professionally with relevant authorities.
• Experience coaching and mentoring educators.
• The ability to address performance or practice concerns respectfully and confidently.
• A collaborative approach to working alongside another leader.
• A genuine commitment to child safety and quality early childhood education.
• Alignment with child-led, play-based approaches to learning.
• Flexibility to support opening, closing and the floor when required.

For a confidential discussion, please contact:

Selina Stanley
SSR Recruitment
0449 865 003
selina@ss-recruitment.com.au

Let SSR Recruitment help you discover a leadership opportunity that aligns with your experience, values and passion for quality early education.

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