Early Childhood Director

Are you an experienced Centre Director ready for a role where you can focus on leading people, driving quality practice and making a difference for children and families, with the support of a strong central team behind you.

At Sutherland Shire Council, our Early Childhood Directors are part of something bigger. You’ll join a well-established Early Education & Child Protection division with 11 services, a connected network of peers, and specialist support that means you are not left to manage complexity alone.

This is an opportunity for a strong, experienced leader who is looking for more than just another Director role. It’s a chance to lead within local government, with strong employment conditions, a collaborative leadership structure, and practical supports that help you do your best work.

Why join us

• Be part of local government, with strong award conditions and employment stability
• Enjoy generous leave provisions, including a 19-day month through Council’s flex arrangement, with the option of accruing a further day of TIL. 
• Join a supportive leadership structure across 11 early education services
• Be part of a network of fellow Centre Directors, including regular monthly Director meetings
• Benefit from centralised support for fees and enrolments, inclusion, curriculum, quality standards, business administration, guidelines and procedures, and child safety reform implementation
• Access business partnering support across assets, safety, people and technology
• Receive overtime or time in lieu for approved hours worked outside the normal day for training, staff meetings and rostering
• Access wellbeing benefits including Fitness Passport, Employee Assistance Program, annual flu vaccinations, wellbeing initiatives and novated lease options

About the role

As Early Childhood Director, you will lead the overall operations and performance of a high-quality early learning service. You’ll provide strong leadership to your team, build a positive and accountable culture, and ensure high standards across education, care, compliance and child safety.

You will bring both strong pedagogical capability and proven leadership experience, with the ability to guide your team, support continuous improvement and build trusted relationships with families and the wider community.

What you’ll do

• Lead, coach and develop a team of educators to achieve high standards of practice and performance
• Drive a high-quality educational program aligned with the Early Years Learning Framework and National Quality Standards
• Foster a positive, inclusive and high-performing team culture
• Build strong and respectful partnerships with children, families and the broader community
• Ensure all regulatory, compliance and child safety requirements are consistently met
• Oversee centre operations, including staffing, occupancy, budgets and day-to-day performance
• Embed reflective practice and continuous improvement across the service
• Create an environment where every child feels safe, supported and included

What we’re looking for

You are a confident and experienced early childhood leader who can set clear expectations, build capability in others and lead with professionalism, care and purpose.

• A Bachelor Degree in Early Childhood Education (ACECQA approved)
• Current NESA Early Childhood Teacher accreditation
• Current First Aid, Child Protection, Child Safety, Food Handling and Working With Children Check
• Demonstrated leadership experience in an early childhood setting, a Centre Director or senior leadership role
• Strong knowledge of the National Quality Framework, EYLF and relevant legislation
• Excellent communication, relationship-building and team leadership skills
• A genuine commitment to child safety, inclusion and high-quality outcomes for children

Join our Team and Grow with Us!

If you’re an experienced leader looking for a role where you will be well supported, well connected and able to make a genuine impact, we’d love to hear from you.

• Apply by responding to our online application questions and submitting your resume outlining why we are a great fit!
• Get your application in by 11.59pm: Thursday 25th June 2026.
• Interview date: Interviews will be facilitated within 2 weeks of job ad closing.
• Package: $107,476 - $119,782 gross p.a. plus 12% superannuation as well as The Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) Worker Retention Allowance.
• Hours of work: Permanent Full Time. You will have the option of a 19 day month through Council’s flex system, with the option of accruing a further day of TIL. 
• To benefit your wellbeing you will have access to fitness passport, employee assistance program, annual flu shots, health and wellbeing programme and novated lease options.

Suitable candidates are subject to pre-employment screening which includes Reference Checks, Work Rights Verification, Identity and Functional/Medical History Checks, and will also include a Criminal History, Qualification and Working with Children Check. Employment is subject to clearance of all these checks.

Reach out to Liz Pahor, Team Leader Workforce, [email protected] for any job specific enquiries.
Jodi Johnson, Talent Acquisition Business Partner, [email protected] can assist with any recruitment related enquiries.

Click on the link to check out the Position Description

Council is a Child Safe Organisation and is committed to ensuring the NSW Government’s Child Safe Standards are incorporated in our procedures, practices, programs, and events.

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About Sutherland Shire Council

Sutherland Shire is a unique area in greater Sydney. Boasting iconic beaches, stunning coastline, vibrant town centers, and incredible national parks. All just 26 km from the CBD. As one of the largest Councils in NSW, we're home to a growing and connected community of more than 230,000 people.

Watch the video to hear from our people about the wide range of projects we're delivering for our community.

It's a great time to join our team and do work that matters.

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Sutherland Shire Council (Council) adheres to The Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 NSW when collecting, using and storing your personal information, and is committed to ensuring the privacy of your personal information. Council is collecting your personal information as part of the recruitment and selection process and advises your application will be hosted by an external service provider under contract by Council. By proceeding with your application, you acknowledge your personal information will be hosted by Councils’ external service provider until such time as you notify otherwise.

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