Practice Innovation Manager

PRIMARY DETAIL

Support the provision of high-quality education and care by collaborating and engaging with industry and academic experts in current research, best practice, and innovation in early learning and out of school hours programs.
- Exciting new role with focus on embedding best practice
- Extensive professional development opportunities
- Excellent conditions including free gym plus other benefits

THE ROLE

We seek a Practice Innovation Manager to lead our new Practice Innovation team.

Reporting into the Business Operations Manager, Early Learning, you will be an experienced early childhood professional who values high quality early education and is skilled at supporting teachers and educators to translate research into practice. A key component of this role will be to work closely with the Macquarie School of Education and other stakeholders to promote and enhance program offerings across all of our centres in addition to supporting and facilitating the Demonstration School mission of Mia Mia Child & Family Study Centre. The successful applicant will be a skilled communicator and change agent who enjoys working collaboratively and who is willing and able to think outside of the box when it comes to high quality education and care.

You will enjoy competitive pay plus a range of salary packaging options and other benefits including:

- Education and professional development opportunities
- Free access - Macquarie University Sport & Aquatic Centre
- Additional paid concessional days
- Access to our staff wellbeing program, staff support services, & employee flu shot program
- Discounted corporate health insurance
- 25% discount at Campus Life outlets on campus

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Collaborate and engage with industry and academic experts in current research, best practice, and innovation in early learning and out of school hours programs in order to support and inform the translation from research to practice and the subsequent implementation of appropriate practices at the centre level
- With oversight and guidance from the Business Operations Manager, Early Learning, foster a culture of critical reflection and continuous improvement across Early Learning, including facilitating communities of practice across all centres, providing guidance, advice and support to ensure best practice initiatives are embedded into programs and practice, and undertaking analysis and evaluation of best practice initiatives
- Assist the Business Operations Manager, Eary Learning, by providing coaching and/or mentoring where appropriate and identifying and recommending relevant development activities
- Maintain up to date knowledge of the Early Years Learning Framework and Framework for School Aged Care and actively support the Centres to work towards an Exceeding (or higher) rating in the National Quality Standards
- Work with the Business Operations Manager, Early Learning and Centre Managers to ensure compliance with the National Quality Framework, Child Protection Laws and other regulatory requirements, including having up to date relevant policies and procedures in place
- Manage, lead and provide direction to the Practice Innovation team to ensure cohesiveness, foster a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement and accountability, and to support and facilitate development, training and mentoring opportunities
- Work with the Centre Managers to identify opportunities for research and other relevant activities to be undertaken at the centres by the University and/or other partners

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
- Proven understanding of pedagogy, child development and evidence-based, high-quality practice in early childhood environments, with the ability to convey and translate complex ideas and concepts in easy-to-understand ways and into practice
- Extensive experience in undertaking, fostering, analysing and evaluating innovative service delivery in an early learning environment, particularly across multiple teams
- Ability to work collaboratively with experts and stakeholders, including the Macquarie School of Education and the broader university, to support and enhance practice in the early learning centres and build upon the demonstration school mission of Mia Mia Child & Family Study Centre
- Extensive experience in leading, coaching, and mentoring others and ability to effectively lead change and continuous improvement initiatives and building communities of practice across a diverse team
- A commitment to continuous professional development
- Understanding of Child Protection Laws, the responsibilities associated with being a Mandatory Reporter, and associated implications on practice in an early learning setting
- High level knowledge of the National Quality Framework, including the Law, Regulations and National Quality Standards, Early Years Learning Framework and Framework for School Age Children
- Experience in establishing, building and maintaining respectful and ethical relationships with colleagu