Area Manager

Connect, Learn & Grow with Aspire Early Education & Kindergarten

At Aspire Early Education & Kindergarten, we are committed to providing high-quality early learning experiences that support the development of confident, capable, and curious children. Founded in 2017 in Victoria, we've grown rapidly and currently operate 30 centres across Melbourne, regional Victoria & Western Australia. With 30 additional centres in our pipeline over the next few years, we are proudly shaping the future of early education—one community at a time.

We are now seeking an experienced and values-driven Area Manager to lead a portfolio of centres across Melbourne's Northern Suburbs. This is an exciting opportunity to play a pivotal role in supporting centre excellence, developing high-performing leaders, and ensuring outstanding outcomes for children, families, and teams.

Our Philosophy: Aspire to Grow, Learn and Connect

Our Grow, Learn, and Connect philosophy underpins our curriculum and our culture. It's our commitment to nurturing strong, connected communities where children, families, and educators can thrive.

We believe that when educators feel supported, engaged, and inspired, they can create meaningful experiences that spark a lifelong love of learning. That's why we invest in our people, our programs, and our partnerships.

About the Role

As an Aspire Area Manager, you'll oversee a portfolio of 6 centres—comprised of 5 local services and 1 designated travel centre, consistent with all Area Manager portfolios. As the network continues to grow, this will increase to a maximum of 7 centres.

This leadership role requires strategic oversight, operational excellence, and a genuine passion for mentoring and developing others. You will be responsible for the success of each centre in your portfolio, supporting Centre Managers to uphold high standards in education, care, compliance, and community engagement.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership across your portfolio of centres

• Develop and coach Centre Managers to become confident, empowered leaders

• Ensure centres are exceeding in all areas of the National Quality Framework (NQF)

• Monitor and drive KPIs including occupancy, wages, enrolment conversions, and performance targets

• Lead quality improvement planning, compliance audits, and continuous improvement initiatives

• Work collaboratively with internal support teams including Operations, People & Talent, Marketing, and Finance

• Promote and model Aspire's values and culture across all services

• Foster meaningful relationships with families and local communities to build centre reputation and engagement

• Support new centre openings as part of Aspire's strategic growth plan

About You

You are a passionate, high-performing leader who thrives in a dynamic environment and is committed to delivering excellence in early childhood education.

You will bring:

• Proven experience as an Area Manager, Regional Manager, or Multi-Site Manager within early childhood education

• Strong business and operational acumen with experience driving centre performance

• A recognised early childhood qualification (Diploma or above)

• In-depth knowledge of the National Quality Framework, compliance standards, and leadership in NQS delivery

• Exceptional interpersonal and relationship-building skills with the ability to lead through influence

• A proactive and hands-on leadership style, with the ability to manage competing priorities

• A collaborative mindset and the ability to work cross-functionally across departments

• A current Working with Children Check and National Police Check

• A valid driver's licence and willingness to travel between services and head office

Why Join Aspire?

• Work across established and brand-new, purpose-built centres

• Company car, phone, and competitive salary package with performance incentives

• Up to 50% discount on childcare at any Aspire service

• Access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) 24/7

• Paid Birthday Leave

• Professional development, training, and networking opportunities

• A rapidly growing organisation with real career growth potential

Make Your Impact

This is more than a job—it's an opportunity to shape the future of early learning in local communities. As an Aspire Area Manager, you'll influence the growth and success of our centres while delivering meaningful outcomes for children, families, and your team.

Our Commitment to Child Safety and Inclusion

Aspire Early Education & Kindergarten is committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment for all children, including those with disabilities and from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and culturally diverse backgrounds. We have zero tolerance for child abuse and uphold a strong duty of care to prevent and minimise risks to children in all environments—physical and online.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and value diversity in all forms. We actively foster a workplace where everyone feels respected, valued, and supported.

Join Aspire—and together, let's grow, learn, and connect.

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