Early Childhood Centre Manager - Cobar Shire Council

About Cobar Shire Council

Cobar Shire Council, located in outback NSW, is proud to deliver essential services to its thriving regional community. From libraries and aged care to youth initiatives and children’s services, our team is dedicated to meaningful work that supports Cobar’s future.

Our newly built, architecturally designed Early Learning Centre (opened October 2024) is a standout investment in early education for the region. With capacity for up to 88 children, the centre was designed to exceed best practice and is currently the only long day care facility in Cobar.

We are values-driven - Accountability, Communication, Effective Leadership, Integrity, and Teamwork (ACE IT) guides everything we do. But more than that, we’re human. We care about our people, our families, and building a strong, inclusive culture that reflects our community.

For more information, please visit our website : https : / / www.cobar.nsw.gov.au /

About the Opportunity

Cobar Shire Council is looking for a full-time Early Learning Centre Manager based in Cobar, NSW .

This is more than a management role, it’s a chance to nurture a young, multicultural team; preserve the legacy of a compassionate predecessor; and steer a growing serviceinto its next phase of excellence.

More specifically, your responsibilities include but are not limited to :

• Overseeing day-to-day operations of our long day care service
• Acting as Nominated Supervisor and, when required, Educational Leader
• Mentoring and uplifting our young, culturally diverse workforce through change
• Ensuring compliance with the National Quality Framework and continuously improving the Quality Improvement Plan
• Managing budgets, compliance, utilisation, and quality assurance
• Building authentic, positive relationships with children, families, staff, and the wider community
• Supporting the future potential expansion of the service

About You

You are a qualified early childhood professional who combines experience with empathy and vision. You bring both the regulatory know-how to maintain compliance and the interpersonal skills to guide others with compassion and confidence.

To succeed in this role, you’ll need :

• A Bachelor’s Degree (or Postgraduate qualification) in Early Childhood Teaching (ECT) , or equivalent ACECQA-approved qualification. Candidates who are at least 50% through an approved ECT qualification, with strong leadership experience, will also be considered.
• Proven experience managing or coordinating an early childhood education service.
• The ability to lead with compassion, mentor educators, and bring your team along the journey.
• A collaborative leadership style that balances compliance with care and consistency.
• Cultural sensitivity and the ability to build cohesion within a multicultural team.
• Genuine alignment and commitment to the Centre’s child-centred, play-based philosophy.
• Excellent communication, organisational, and problem-solving skills.

Essential certifications and requirements :

• Current First Aid Certificate (including asthma and anaphylaxis)
• Child Protection Training
• NSW Working With Children Check (or eligibility to obtain)
• Driver’s licence (strongly preferred, due to local conditions)

As our ideal candidate, is a steady, empathetic leader who brings calm and reassurance to times of change. You are not authoritarian, you lead with respect, and understand the importance of bringing a team on the journey. You are emotionally intelligent and patient, especially with young educators who are still growing in their roles. You know how to uplift without overwhelming, while upholding the expected standards. You are culturally aware and committed to inclusivity, with the confidence and humility to unify a diverse team of workers. Above all, you are authentic, collaborative, and aligned with the Centre’s child-first philosophy.

About the Benefits

This role offers a competitive salary of $98,000 – $114,000 , negotiable based on qualifications and experience, with potential for future growth as the service expands. In addition, you’ll enjoy :

• Relocation allowance and subsidised housing
• Nine-day fortnight (35 hours / week) - equating to approximately five extra weeks of annual leave flexibility
• Two-week Christmas closure
• Extensive professional development opportunities , supported by a current 18-month training grant
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and health and wellbeing initiatives
• Three weeks’ sick leave per year and long service leave after five years
• Paid parental leave (Council + Government-funded)
• Active staff social club with inclusive community events
• Access to Council’s gym and seasonal pool pass
• Health & Wellbeing Days (Council-wide closure)
• Salary packaging options , including novated leasing and remote housing / utilities
• Strong governance, human resources, finance, and compliance support structures
• The potential to expand the role scope in future to include additional services under the childrens services portfolio

To learn more about the advantages of working for Cobar Shire Council, visit Why Work for Council?

If you’re a collaborative, experienced early childhood leader who believes in guiding through empathy, fostering growth, and making a lasting difference in a regional community - we’d love to hear from you.

Apply now and help us shape the future of early education in Cobar.

Cobar Shire Council welcomes applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, workers of all ages, people with disabilities and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.