Job Description
Your Company:
A growing early years education provider is partnering with NET Recruit to appoint an Operations/General Manager on a permanent basis, overseeing multiple nursery settings across South East London. This well-established childcare organisation operates a network of high-quality early years settings, delivering safe, nurturing and development-focused environments for children. With a strong emphasis on emotional intelligence, creativity and exploration, the organisation works closely with families and local communities to support positive outcomes for every child. With a clear focus on operational excellence, regulatory compliance and continuous improvement, the organisation invests heavily in leadership capability and performance management across its settings. The group is recognised for maintaining high standards of care, strong safeguarding practices and a consistent drive toward outstanding Ofsted outcomes.
Your Role and Responsibilities:
While in this position your duties may include but are not limited to:
- Providing strategic and operational leadership across multiple nursery settings within the region
- Leading, coaching and developing Nursery Managers to drive accountability, performance and team effectiveness
- Driving operational excellence, ensuring consistency in service delivery, educational standards and safeguarding practices
- Overseeing staffing structures, recruitment, retention and performance management across the nursery portfolio
- Monitoring key performance indicators including occupancy, revenue, staffing ratios and cost control
- Conducting regular site visits, audits and performance reviews to identify risks and improvement opportunities
- Implementing and embedding operational processes, policies and best practices across all locations
- Ensuring full compliance with EYFS, Ofsted requirements and safeguarding regulations
- Acting as a Designated Safeguarding Lead and providing oversight on safeguarding matters and investigations
- Supporting nurseries to achieve and maintain strong Ofsted ratings
- Collaborating with senior leadership to analyse data, drive decision-making and deliver business improvements
- Leading the integration and operational setup of new nursery settings within the region
- Building strong stakeholder relationships with parents, teams and the wider community
- Representing the organisation in external meetings, inspections and sector engagements
What You Will Need To Apply:
- Significant experience in early years education, ideally within a multi-site, regional or senior leadership role
- Proven track record of managing operations across multiple locations or driving performance improvements at scale
- Degree educated, ideally in Early Years Education, Child Development, Education Leadership or a related discipline
- Strong working knowledge of EYFS, Ofsted frameworks and safeguarding requirements
- Demonstrated leadership capability with experience coaching and developing managers
- Strong commercial and operational awareness, including financial performance and resource management
- Excellent analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and translate insights into action
- Confident communicator with the ability to influence at all levels
- Designated Safeguarding Lead training and Paediatric First Aid (desirable)
- Full UK working rights and willingness to travel regularly across sites
What You Will Get In Return:
The successful candidate will receive a competitive salary and access to a comprehensive benefits package designed to support wellbeing, career development and professional growth. This organisation offers a collaborative and forward-thinking environment, with a strong emphasis on leadership development and operational excellence. You will have the opportunity to make a tangible impact across multiple settings, shaping performance, culture and outcomes within a growing, mission-driven organisation.
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