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Job Description

Operations Manager – Early Years & Childcare**\nMulti-Site Regional Role\n\n---\n\nSalary: Competitive + benefits\nLocation: UK-wide travel with overnight stays required\nContract: Full-time, permanent\n\n---\n\nThe Role\n\nWe are seeking a dynamic, commercially-minded Operations Manager to lead and develop a portfolio of nursery settings across multiple locations. You will be the strategic link between senior leadership and nursery managers, ensuring each site delivers exceptional childcare while operating as a profitable, sustainable business.\n\nThis is a hands-on leadership role for someone who combines a passion for early years education with sharp business acumen. You will drive quality, compliance, occupancy and financial performance across your region—while building the capability of your nursery management teams.\n\n---\n\nWhat You'll Do\n\nLeadership & Quality\n- Provide visible, positive leadership to Nursery Managers across your region\n- Ensure every setting delivers child-centred care with high standards of physical, emotional, social and intellectual development\n- Embed and model best practice in line with EYFS and statutory frameworks\n- Support professional development, performance management and succession planning for nursery leadership teams\n\nBusiness & Commercial Performance\n- Drive sustainable profitability through effective occupancy management, cost control and revenue growth\n- Monitor and improve financial performance across your region; identify opportunities to add value\n- Develop and execute local marketing plans, open days and engagement activities to attract and retain families\n- Manage regional budgets, forecasting and resource planning\n\nCompliance & Safeguarding\n- Hold ultimate accountability for health & safety, safeguarding and regulatory compliance across all sites\n- Ensure robust child protection procedures, staff vetting and safer recruitment practices\n- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of legislation, GDPR and sector standards\n\nStakeholder & Partnership Management\n- Build effective relationships with external partners, local organisations and service users\n- Represent the organisation at multi-agency forums and influence service delivery priorities\n- Ensure seamless "front door" access arrangements and exceptional customer experience\n\n---\n\nWhat You Bring\n\nEssential\n- Minimum Level 3 Early Years qualification (or equivalent)\n- Significant experience managing multiple nursery settings or integrated early years services\n- Proven track record of leading teams, managing budgets and delivering commercial results\n- Deep knowledge of EYFS, statutory frameworks, safeguarding and inspection requirements\n- Excellent communication, influencing and report-writing skills\n- Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel extensively (overnight stays required)\n\nDesirable\n- Degree in Early Education, Childcare or Management\n- Additional professional qualification in children and family services\n- IOSH Managing Safely (or commitment to obtain)\n- Experience of TUPE transfers and business change\n- Knowledge of out-of-school clubs and wraparound care for primary-aged children\n\n---\n\nWhat We Offer\n- Competitive salary and benefits package\n- Company-branded uniform provided\n- Enhanced DBS check and update service\n- Opportunity to shape and grow a respected early years portfolio\n\n---\n\nTo Apply\nPlease submit your CV and cover letter outlining your regional management experience and approach to driving quality and commercial performance in early years settings.\n\n*This post requires a satisfactory enhanced DBS check.

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