• Join Australia's leading University in this full time, continuing role 
• Opportunity to challenge yourself, and make a significant contribution as a leader in a dynamic, energetic and inspiring team 

Founded in 1853, the University of Melbourne is Australia’s #1 university and is consistently ranked amongst the leading universities in the world. We are proud of our people, our commitment to research and teaching excellence, and our global engagement.

About Early Childhood Education Services

Early Childhood Education Services is located within Student and Scholarly Services at The University of Melbourne and comprises the Early Learning Centre, Abbotsford (90 places daily), Queensberry Children’s Centre (96 places daily) and Swanston Street Children’s Centres (41 places daily). These centres provide early childhood education for approximately 350 children aged 6 months to five years from the University and the surrounding community.

About the Role

As the Centre Director of the Swanston Street Children’s Centre (SSCC), you will play an integral role in enabling the Centre to achieve its vision of excellence and sustainability. You will manage the day-to-day operations, ensuring compliance and management of budget, human resources, and physical facilities. You’ll get to lead your team in the design, implementation and evaluation of leading-edge educational programs that reflect the most current research and practice in early childhood education.

In a typical week at work, you may:

• Ensure a warm and welcoming environment for children and their families, while also meeting the requirements of the National Quality Framework (NQF), including National Quality Standards (NQS), and full compliance with laws, regulations and approved National and State Government learning frameworks
• Lead the delivery of the Centre’s education and care programs, working directly with staff on their professional development and growth as educators
• Ensure the Centre meets the required professional standards and quality targets, by collaborating with peers across Early Childhood Education Services and the wider university community

About You

You will be a keen problem solver who is highly motivated and uses your initiative and resourcefulness to manage multiple competing tasks. You will be a strong communicator and education leader, with a capacity to develop and inspire your team. Your passion for early childhood education and care will set you up for success in this role.

Ideally, you will further have:

• A Master of Teaching (Early Childhood) or Bachelor of Teaching Early Childhood with a Master of Education, or an equivalent combination of qualifications
• Current and valid Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) Registration and First Aid Certificate (HLTAID012), including anaphylaxis and asthma components
• Demonstrated experience in leading teams of early childhood teachers and educators and working with children and families in the early years
• Thorough knowledge of the Education & Care National Law, the Education & Care Services National Regulations, and the NQS as they relate to early childhood service delivery
• A strong familiarity with contemporary early childhood theory and practice, such as inquiry-based learning, arts-based teaching and learning, environmental education and STEM

To ensure the University continues to provide a safe environment for everyone, this position requires the incumbent to hold a current and valid Working with Children Check.

Benefits of Working with Us

In addition to having the opportunity to grow and be challenged, and to be part of a vibrant campus life, our people enjoy a range of rewarding benefits:

• Flexible working arrangements and generous personal, parental and cultural leave
• Competitive remuneration, 17% super, salary packaging and leave loading
• Free and subsidised health and wellbeing services, and access to fitness and cultural clubs
• Discounts on a wide range of products and services including Myki cards and Qantas Club
• Career development opportunities and 25% off graduate courses for staff and their immediate families

To find out more, please visit https://about.unimelb.edu.au/careers/staff-benefits.

Be Yourself

At UoM, we value the unique backgrounds, experiences and contributions that each person brings to our community, and we encourage and celebrate diversity. Indigenous Australians, those identifying as LGBTQIA+, females, people of all ages with disabilities and culturally diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply for our roles. Our aim is to create a workforce that reflects the community in which we live.

Join Us!

If you feel this role is right for you, please apply with your CV and cover letter outlining your interest and experience.  Please note that you are not required to provide responses against the selection criteria in the Position Description.

Should you require any reasonable adjustments with the recruitment process, please contact the Talent Acquisition team at [email protected] using the subject line: Centre Director - Swanston Street Children's Centre enquiry via EthicalJobs.

A position description is attached.

Due to the impacts of COVID-19, we are currently prioritising applications with current valid working rights in Australia and candidates who are not affected by travel restrictions. Please see the latest updates to Australia's immigration and border arrangements: https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/

The University of Melbourne is required to comply with applicable health guidance and directions issued from the Victoria Health Minister. The University of Melbourne requires all University of Melbourne employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, unless an exemption order applies. All applicants therefore must meet this requirement when submitting an application.