Service Operations Leader

Join SEEN Education Supporting Where We Grow Early Learning

Where We Grow Early Learning is seeking an experienced and values-driven Service Operations Leader to lead the operational compliance and performance outcomes across our early childhood services in Melbourne VIC.

This is a senior leadership opportunity for a confident people-centred operator who understands the complexity of multi-site early learning environments and is passionate about delivering high-quality education and care for children and families.

About the Role

As the Service Operations Leader you will hold end-to-end accountability for the day-to-day operational performance financial sustainability and regulatory compliance of all Where We Grow services.

Reporting to the Head of Operations and Head of People Experience & Growth you will lead and support a team of Executive Service Managers ensuring consistent quality compliance and operational excellence across all services.

This role will require fortnightly full day visits across our 8 services in Melbourne VIC.

Your role will include:

• Lead coach and mentor Centre Leaders and Nominated Supervisors across multiple services
• Overseeing financial performance including occupancy budgets wage efficiency and service viability
• Leading Assessment & Rating readiness audits and serious incident escalation
• Drive occupancy family engagement and overall service performance
• Ensure compliance with the National Quality Framework CCS requirements and company policies
• Driving data-led decision making and continuous improvement across systems and processes
• Owning operational compliance risk management and regulatory engagement under the National Quality Framework
• Acting as the primary escalation point for operational risk service disruption and compliance matters
• Support teams to achieve high-quality educational programs and practices
• Monitor staffing ratios budgets and operational performance
• Foster positive team culture accountability and professional growth
• Conduct service visits audits and quality improvement planning
• Build strong relationships with families educators and community stakeholders
• Support services through assessment and rating processes
• Work collaboratively with Operations People & Culture Marketing and Leadership teams

Hours Location & Travel

• Full Time 5 days per week
• Regular fortnightly travel across 8 services in Melbourne

About You

You are an experienced senior leader within Early Childhood Education and Care who combines strong operational discipline with emotionally intelligent values-led leadership.

You are confident managing complexity supporting leaders through change and holding accountability while building trust and capability across teams.

Key Attributes:

• 710 years senior leadership experience in early learning or a regulated service environment
• Proven experience leading multi-site or regional operations
• Strong knowledge of the National Quality Framework EYLF 2.0 and regulatory requirements
• Demonstrated financial acumen including budgeting forecasting and performance analysis
• A calm decisive leader with excellent judgement in risk compliance and people matters
• Passionate about child safety quality education and creating thriving service environments

Why Join Us

At Where We Grow we believe great outcomes for children start with empowered supported leaders. Youll be joining a values-led organisation committed to quality wellbeing and sustainable growth.

Our benefits include:

• 2 days Cultural Leave no questions asked
• 1 day Birthday Leave celebrating you
• 1 day Self-Care Leave no explanation needed
• Superannuation Matching we add to your voluntary salary sacrifice
• Childcare Discounts significant savings across our services
• Purpose-driven work with a supportive leadership team and genuine impact

Join Our Team

If youre looking to grow your career in a company where youll feel supported valued and inspired this is the role for you.

Apply now via SEEKor contact more information.

Child Safety Commitment

Where We Grow Early Learning is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children in our care. We uphold Child Safe Standards and maintain a zero-tolerance approach to child abuse. Child safety is embedded in all policies procedures and daily practices.