Early Childhood Centre Director

Lead a Centre. Grow a Team. Change Lives.

Imagine leading a centre where you can focus on children, families and your team, backed by specialist support, experienced peers and a Council that genuinely invests in your success.

At Sutherland Shire Council, you'll be part of a connected network of Early Education services, with the support, flexibility and career opportunities that help you thrive both professionally and personally.

Why Join Us?

Salary & Benefits

• Salary package up to $124,574 + 12% superannuation + ECEC Worker Retention Allowance
• Council commitment to an 8% pay increase over the next two years
• Novated leasing and salary sacrificing options
• Up to 26 weeks paid leave if you or someone in your care experiences a serious illness or accident
• 14 weeks paid parental leave
• Employee Assistance Program and wellbeing support
• Fitness Passport
• Annual flu vaccinations

Work-Life Balance That Works

We know great leaders do their best work when they have time for life outside of work too.

• Accrue up to 2 days off per month
• 4 weeks annual leave
• 5 additional MyLeave days (to support your health and wellbeing)
• 3 weeks sick leave
• 7 days personal leave

A Leadership Network Behind You

It takes a village to raise a child, and it takes a strong support network to lead a thriving early learning service.

As part of our network, you'll have access to specialist support across enrolments, inclusion, curriculum, quality, child safety and business operations. You'll also be part of a collaborative community of Centre Directors who share ideas, solve challenges together and celebrate success, while building a legacy you can be truly proud of.

Grow Your Career

• Ongoing learning and professional development opportunities
• Leadership networking and mentoring
• Career growth within one of NSW's largest local government early education providers

About the Role

This is more than managing a centre. It's about creating a place where children thrive, educators grow and families feel connected.

As an Early Childhood Centre Director, you'll lead a high-quality early learning service, building a positive team culture, driving educational excellence and creating meaningful outcomes for children and families.

You'll lead from the front, empowering educators, fostering strong family partnerships and creating an environment where everyone feels valued, supported and inspired to succeed.

In this role, you'll:

• Lead and inspire a team of educators
• Drive high-quality learning outcomes for children
• Foster a positive and inclusive team culture
• Build trusted partnerships with families and the local community
• Oversee centre operations, staffing and budgets
• Ensure excellence in quality, compliance and child safety
• Coach, mentor and develop future leaders

What You'll Bring

We're looking for a great leader. Someone who is passionate about early childhood education, committed to delivering exceptional outcomes for children, and capable of building a workplace where educators love coming to work.

Whether you're Diploma or Bachelor-qualified, you'll bring the leadership capability, experience and passion needed to lead a successful service and make a lasting impact on children, families and your team.

• Diploma or Bachelor qualification in Early Childhood Education and Care
• Proven leadership experience within an early childhood education and care setting
• The ability to inspire, coach and develop educators to be their best
• Strong knowledge of the National Quality Framework, EYLF and relevant legislation
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
• A commitment to child safety, quality practice and continuous improvement
• A collaborative leadership style and a passion for building positive team cultures
• NESA Early Childhood Teacher Accreditation (where applicable)

Join our Team and Grow with Us!

Join a Council that values early childhood education, invests in its people and understands that great leaders deserve great support. 

If this sounds like the right opportunity for you, check out our Candidate Pack for more information.

• Apply by uploading a cover letter and your resume outlining why we are a great fit!
• Get your application in by 11.59pm: Sunday 1st November 2026.
• Interview date: Interviews will be facilitated within 2 weeks of job ad closing.

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 Renae Giles, Senior Manager Early Education & Child Protection RGiles@ssc.nsw.gov.au for any job specific 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.

Apply Now

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.

Privacy Acknowledgement

Sutherland Shire Council collects personal information from applicants as part of its recruitment and selection processes. This information may include your name, contact details, employment history, qualifications, skills, referee details, screening information, interview notes and any other information you provide in support of your application.

 Council collects this information for the purpose of assessing your suitability for employment, administering the recruitment process, communicating with you about your application, conducting pre-employment checks, verifying information provided by you, meeting legal and governance obligations, and maintaining recruitment and employment records.

 Your personal information may be used by Council employees, panel members, hiring managers, Human Resources staff and other authorised persons involved in the recruitment process. Council may also disclose relevant personal information to third parties where reasonably necessary for recruitment-related purposes, including referees, pre-employment screening providers, medical assessment providers, background checking providers, recruitment system providers, or where required or authorised by law.

 If you do not provide the information requested, Council may be unable to properly assess or progress your application.

 Council will manage personal information in accordance with the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 (NSW), applicable privacy requirements, Council’s Privacy Management Plan and relevant records management obligations.

 By submitting an application for employment with Council, you acknowledge and agree that Council may collect, use, store and disclose your personal information for the purposes outlined in this notice and for related recruitment, employment, governance and legal purposes.

 You also declare that the information provided in your application is true, accurate and complete to the best of your knowledge, and acknowledge that providing false or misleading information may result in your application being withdrawn from consideration or, if employed, may result in action being taken by Council.

1. Yes I agree to the privacy statement*