Assistant Centre Manager - Job Opportunity at Affinity Education Group

Nabiac, Australia
Full-time
Mid-level
Posted: June 16, 2025
On-site
AUD 65,000 - 75,000 per year based on the mid-level management responsibilities, regional location factor in NSW, and Affinity's position as a major industry player offering comprehensive benefits packages that typically correlate with competitive salary structures

Benefits

Comprehensive childcare fee reduction program offering 50% discount from day one, providing substantial financial value for employees with children
Educational advancement support through fully funded Bachelor's and Master's degree scholarships in early childhood education, representing significant professional development investment
Extensive leadership development pathway with access to Affinity Learning Academy's accredited Leadership and Management courses at no cost to employees
Health and wellness benefits package including 30% discount on premium gym memberships with Goodlife and Fitness First
Comprehensive wellbeing support through TELUS Health partnership and Bupa insurance benefits
Retail rewards program providing discounts at over 100 retailers for enhanced lifestyle benefits
Monthly educator recognition program fostering professional acknowledgment and career satisfaction

Key Responsibilities

Lead comprehensive daily operations management for childcare centre, ensuring adherence to company policies while meeting critical compliance and financial performance targets that directly impact organizational success
Drive strategic community engagement and relationship building with local families, leveraging marketing expertise to increase occupancy rates and establish the centre as a cornerstone of early childhood education in the region
Provide mentorship and professional guidance to educational staff, ensuring centre operations consistently meet or exceed National Quality Standards, thereby enhancing the organization's reputation and regulatory standing

Requirements

Education

A Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care or ACECQA-approved equivalent qualification

Experience

Strong experience in a Centre Manager role

Required Skills

Experienced in achieving targets and meeting safety and compliance standard marketing flair to strategically increase occupancy ability to create long-lasting connections with local community mentoring and support capabilities

Certifications

A current Working with Children's Check
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The Australian early childhood education sector is experiencing significant consolidation with large corporate groups like Affinity acquiring smaller operators, creating more standardized operations and career advancement opportunities across multiple locations. This trend is driving demand for experienced middle management professionals who can maintain quality standards while achieving operational efficiency. Government focus on National Quality Standards compliance is intensifying, with stricter monitoring and reporting requirements creating demand for managers who can navigate complex regulatory environments while maintaining educational excellence. This regulatory emphasis is elevating the strategic importance of assistant manager roles in ensuring compliance continuity. The sector is witnessing increased investment in proprietary curriculum development and staff training programs, as organizations seek competitive differentiation through educational outcomes. This trend is creating opportunities for managers who can implement and champion advanced educational methodologies while supporting staff development.

Role Significance

Typically managing and supporting 8-12 educators and support staff across multiple age groups in a 62-place facility, requiring strong interpersonal leadership and coordination skills
This role represents a critical middle management position serving as the operational bridge between centre leadership and frontline educators, with significant responsibility for regulatory compliance, financial performance, and community relationship management that directly impacts centre success

Key Projects

Implementation and maintenance of National Quality Standards compliance across all operational areas Development and execution of community engagement strategies to increase centre occupancy and strengthen local partnerships Staff development and mentoring programs to support educator career progression and retention

Success Factors

Demonstrated ability to balance regulatory compliance requirements with operational efficiency while maintaining high educational standards Strong community engagement and relationship-building skills essential for establishing the centre as a trusted local early childhood education provider Leadership capability to mentor and develop staff while fostering a positive team culture that supports both educator satisfaction and child outcomes Strategic thinking and marketing acumen to identify and capitalize on opportunities for centre growth and community integration

Market Demand

High demand driven by sector growth, regulatory complexity requiring experienced managers, and ongoing challenges in retaining qualified early childhood education professionals in management roles

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Regulatory compliance expertise is absolutely essential as National Quality Standards violations can result in centre closure and significant financial penalties, making this knowledge fundamental to operational success and career advancement in the sector Community relationship building and marketing capabilities are crucial for centre sustainability, as occupancy rates directly impact profitability and job security, while also determining the centre's long-term viability in competitive regional markets Staff mentoring and development skills are critical for maintaining educator retention and quality standards, as high turnover rates plague the industry and directly impact both compliance outcomes and operational costs

Beneficial Skills

Understanding of contemporary early childhood education research and evidence-based practices would enhance ability to implement and champion Affinity's advanced curriculum approaches Financial management and budget analysis skills would support career progression toward senior management roles with P&L responsibility Digital marketing and social media expertise would enhance community engagement capabilities in an increasingly connected regional market environment

Unique Aspects

Implementation of proprietary Lifelong Learning Curriculum representing Australia's most advanced early childhood education approach, incorporating evidence-based methodologies like Circle of Security and Abecedarian programs
Comprehensive internal promotion culture with 50% of leadership positions filled internally, providing clear advancement pathways rare in the fragmented childcare industry
Location in growing regional area offering unique opportunity to build strong community connections while benefiting from corporate resources and support systems
Integration of multiple evidence-based educational approaches creating sophisticated learning environment requiring higher-level pedagogical understanding and implementation skills

Career Growth

Typical progression to Centre Manager within 18-24 months with strong performance, advancing to senior regional roles within 3-5 years given Affinity's policy of internal promotion and comprehensive leadership development programs

Potential Next Roles

Centre Manager with full operational responsibility Senior Centre Manager overseeing multiple locations Area Manager with regional oversight responsibilities Quality Advisor specializing in compliance and standards implementation

Company Overview

Affinity Education Group

Affinity Education Group operates as one of Australia's largest childcare organizations, managing multiple brands including Milestones Early Learning centres across diverse geographic markets. The organization has established itself through strategic acquisitions and organic growth, developing proprietary educational curricula and comprehensive staff development programs.

Positioned as a major industry player with significant market share and resources for staff development, technology investment, and facility enhancement, competing directly with other large operators like G8 Education and Think Childcare
The Bungendore location represents Affinity's strategy of establishing presence in growing regional markets near major population centers, capitalizing on demographic trends toward regional living while maintaining proximity to ACT employment opportunities
Large corporate structure offering systematic career development pathways and standardized operational processes, balanced with local centre autonomy and community engagement focus, appealing to professionals seeking stability with growth opportunities
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