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Central Kids

Regional Operations Manager

Central Kids

. Lead and support a portfolio of early learning services .

Posted 10/23/2026full-timeTokoroa • New ZealandMid-LevelSenior💰 NZ$120,000 - NZ$130,000 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact
  • Lead and support a portfolio of early learning services
  • Coach and develop service leaders, building confidence, capability and accountability
  • Oversee service performance, including budgets, occupancy, enrolments, staffing and sustainable revenue
  • Ensure regulatory, licensing, child safety, and health and safety practices
  • Lead regional readiness and response for Ministry of Education, ERO, audit and other regulatory activity
  • Identify emerging risks and performance issues and make timely decisions
  • Support services through change, improvement activity and organisational priorities
  • Manage formal parent and whānau complaints and support effective resolution
  • Coordinate support with specialist teams across Central Kids
  • Build relationships with whānau, mana whenua, iwi, hapū, community partners and sector stakeholders
  • Support culturally responsive, bicultural and locally relevant service delivery

Requirements

What you’ll need
  • Experienced ECE leader with substantial leadership experience in early childhood education
  • Experience with compliance, licensing, service improvement and corrective action
  • Experience developing leaders and working across health and safety, workforce, finance, incidents and complaints
  • Strong knowledge of the Aotearoa New Zealand ECE regulatory environment
  • Sound operational and financial literacy
  • Experience coaching leaders and managing performance
  • Confidence having courageous conversations and addressing issues when they arise
  • Strong judgement, resilience and ability to follow through
  • Genuine commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, tikanga Māori and culturally responsive leadership
  • Commitment to continued development in te reo Māori and te ao Māori
  • Ability and willingness to travel regularly across the regional portfolio
  • Relevant tertiary qualification in early childhood education, leadership, public administration, human services or related area, or substantial equivalent experience
  • Experience within a multi-site ECE organisation and working alongside regulators, funders, mana whenua, iwi, hapū or community partners would be an advantage