Job Title: Divisional Director
Reports to: Operations Director
Based: Ideally you will based on the M23 Corridor (Kent/Surrey) travel required throughout the South West/West and South West London.
Employment Type: Fixed term contract
Salary: DOE plus Company Car and up to 25% annual salary bonus
About the role
We are seeking an exceptional Divisional Director – Operations (FTC) to lead and shape operational performance across a large multi-site early years division. This is a senior leadership opportunity for a proven operator who thrives in complex, fast-paced environments and is passionate about delivering outstanding outcomes for children.
You will play a pivotal role in driving operational excellence, quality standards, commercial performance, and team engagement across a region of approximately 45–60 nurseries, supported by a team of senior operational leaders.
About Busy Bees
Established in 1983, Busy Bees is the largest early years education provider in the UK and the third largest globally, with nearly 1,000 childcare centres across 9 countries. We’re a values-driven organisation built on care, quality, service and people. With ambitious growth plans, there’s never been a more exciting time to join our team!
About the Benefits
- Sector‑leading Family Leave
- Annual salary bonus
- Private Medical insurance
- Hive Rewards Gateway Benefits Platformwith discounts and perks.
- Childcare Discount
- 33 days of holiday, including bank holidays and your birthday off.
- Health and Wellbeing Supportthrough our Employee Assistance Program and Mental Health Apps.
- Career Development and Trainingopportunities to help you grow.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the delivery of regional operational strategy in alignment with divisional objectives
- Drive performance across key metrics including occupancy, profitability, quality, and compliance
- Identify and implement opportunities for operational improvement and efficiency
- Build strong, collaborative relationships with the Regional Managing Director and senior stakeholders
- Ensure excellence across Ofsted readiness, safeguarding, Quality, and Health & Safety standards
- Coach, develop, and performance‑manage Area Directors to deliver high‑impact leadership
- Champion a culture of high performance, accountability, and continuous improvement
- Lead regional engagement strategies, including surveys, action plans, and retention initiatives
- Act as a culture custodian, embedding organisational values across all levels
- Strengthen communication channels to ensure clarity, alignment, and feedback loops across the region
- Engage effectively with external stakeholders including local authorities, regulators, suppliers, and safeguarding partners
About You
We are looking for a proven senior operational leader with experience in managing large‑scale, multi‑site operations ideally within early years, education, hospitality, social care or retail.
You will bring:
- Strong experience leading multi‑site operational teams at scale
- A track record of delivering commercial and performance improvement
- Deep understanding of budget management and EBITDA drivers
- Strong leadership capability with a focus on coaching and developing senior managers
- Excellent analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and drive insight‑led decisions
- A collaborative leadership style with strong stakeholder management skills
- A passion for quality, safeguarding, and outstanding service delivery
- The ability to manage complexity, prioritise effectively, and deliver results
Leadership Behaviours
- Strategic and operational delivery focus aligned to business objectives
- Strong commercial acumen and financial awareness
- Inspirational leadership style that builds high‑performing teams
- Data‑driven decision maker with strong analytical capability
- Continuous improvement mindset focused on efficiency and service excellence
- Highly collaborative with strong influencing skills across internal and external stakeholders
- Proactive problem solver with a solution‑focused approach
- External awareness of best practice and sector innovation
Apply now!
This is a rare opportunity to step into a high‑impact divisional leadership role where you will directly influence operational success, quality outcomes, and the experience of thousands of children and families.
You will be joining a values‑led organisation where leadership, culture, and continuous improvement are at the heart of everything we do.
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